England and Wales have named their sides for this evening’s U20 RBS 6 Nations clash.
Wales are hoping to go one step closer to achieving a Grand Slam, having already beaten Ireland, Scotland, and France, while England are trying to avoid another defeat, after a defeat to Ireland last week and to Scotland on the opening weekend, their only win so far has come over Italy between those two games.
The game takes place at Bristol’s Ashton Gate at 19.45, and will be Live on Sky Sports 2.
England call up the fit again Lewis Boyce to the starting line up, and he is one of three personell changes to the side that lost to Ireland, with George Worth coming in for Joe Marchant, who is retained by Harlequins, in the centres. Worth will join his Leicester colleague Charlie Thacker.
Andrew Kitchener meanwhile comes in to the second row, with George Nott shifting to blindside.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Jon Callard said:
“Wales will pose a very physical threat up front and it is great to be able to name new caps while also welcoming back the experienced Lewis Boyce, he has represented England through the pathway and proven himself to be a really diligent professional in his attitude and response to injury.”
“This Six Nations has been a great opportunity for a number of players to take their chance, show what they are capable of at this level, and put themselves in contention for the summer.
Wales have also made three changes for the game, with Ospreys centre Owen Watkin and Scarlets fly half Dan Jones both returning to the side, while Harri Millard moves from the twelve shirt to the outside centre berth.
Speaking ahead of the game Wales Head Coach Jason Strange said:
“There is a lot of competition in the squad, and a fantastic team spirit due to the standards and expectations the players have set for themselves. I can’t speak highly enough of the way they’ve performed to date and it’s important they enjoy the occasion on Friday.”
“While some players have had time with their regions, it’s great that we have been able to expose other players to this level of international rugby and we are pleased to be able to select a side which has a nice blend of youth and experience for this game.”
“England are well coached, they have some fantastic individual players. Although they’ve lost twice, this is likely to be our toughest challenge to date. Even though we are delighted with our previous games, we are certainly not getting carried away – we understand we’ve got a lot of improvement left in us as a group which is fantastic when you look ahead at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester in June.”
“Our main goal is continuous improvement individually and as a team, to give ourselves a good chance of ending the championship on a high by adhering to our identity – hard work, structure and creativity. Ashton Gate is a fantastic stadium, there should be a great crowd and it’s important we get the best out of the players individually and collectively on Friday night.”
England U20 v Wales U20 – Ashton Gate, 19.45, Live on Sky Sports 2
England U20
15 Max Malins (Saracens)
14 George Perkins (Saracens)
13 Charlie Thacker (Leicester Tigers)
12 George Worth (Leicester Tigers)
11 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester)
10 Mat Protheroe (Gloucester)
9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)
1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
2 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)
3 Will Stuart (Wasps)
4 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
5 Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)
6 George Nott (Sale Sharks)
7 Sam Smith (Worcester Warriors)
8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, captain)
Replacements:
16 Curtis Langdon (London Irish)
17 Tom West (Wasps)
18 Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)
19 Alex Moon (Northampton Saints)
20 Zach Mercer (Bath)
21 Callum Waters (Harlequins)
22 Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
23 Paolo Odogwu (Leicester Tigers)
Wales U20
15 Rhun Williams (RGC)
14 George Gasson (Dragons)
13 Harri Millard (Cardiff Blues)
12 Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
11 Keelan Giles (Ospreys)
10 Daniel Jones (Scarlets)
9 Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys)
1 Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Blues)
2 Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets)
3 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues)
4 Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues)
5 Adam Beard (Ospreys)
6 Tom Phillips (captain, Scarlets)
7 Shaun Evans (Scarlets)
8 Harrison Keddie (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Replacements:
16 Ifan Phillips (Scarlets)
17 Rhys Fawcett (Scarlets)
18 Leon Brown (Newport Gwent Dragons)
19 Bryce Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons)
20 Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues)
21 Declan Smith (Scarlets)
22 Billy McBryde (Scarlets)
23 Joe Thomas (Ospreys)
