U20 6 Nations: England name side to play Ireland as Championship goes to the wire

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England have named their side for their final game of the 2018 U20 6 Nations, versus Ireland at the Ricoh Arena on Friday night.

 

The game, Live on Sky Sports Action, kicks off at 8pm and Steve Bates’ side could yet be in with a chance of winning the title ahead of the French side that they defeated last weekend, with the two sides level on points.

 

England make two changes to the side that beat France, former Malvern College second row James Scott comes into the starting fifteen, with Sam Lewis moving to the bench. Scott partners the former Cranleigh star Dino Lamb in the second row.

 

The other changes sees former Wellington College pupil Ben Loader start on the left wing, a move that sees the rest of the backline shift around significantly. Sedbergh schoolboy Cameron Redpath gets a rest, so former Rugby School outside half Tom Hardwick moves to inside centre, with James Grayson, son of former England international Paul, moving from full back to fly half. In turn, that sees Jordan Olowofela move from the wing to full back.

 

Elsewhere, Gabriel Ibitoye, Fraser Dingwall, and Ben White remain in situ on the right wing, outside centre, and scrum half respectively.

 

Up front the front row remains Toby Trinder, Henry Walker, and Marcus Street, while behind the second row of Lamb and Scott are once again Josh Basham, Loader’s former Wellington College schoolmate, at 6, Sam Moore at 8, and Ben Earl captains the side again from the openside flank.

 

Speaking ahead of the game, Steve Bates said:

 

“We had a very good performance in France in many areas but we know we can improve and we’ll be looking to do that on Friday against Ireland. We came into this tournament with a very clear objective to improve every game with the aim that we could win the Six Nations and we’ve now got to that point.”

 

“However, we’re just focused now on Ireland and putting in a really strong performance that allows us to win the game and we’ll see where that leaves us at the end of the tournament.

 

“It’s great that ourselves and the Red Roses have both got a chance of winning the tournament heading into that final fixture and I would urge people to come along and watch each game. It should be a really exciting fixture at a Premiership stadium and we’re hoping for a big crowd which will in turn inspire the players of both teams.”

 

England U20 v Ireland U20 – Friday, 8pm, Ricoh Arena – Live on Sky Sports Action

 

England U20 XV

15 Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers), 14 Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), 13 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), 12 Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers), 11 Ben Loader (London Irish), 10 James Grayson (Northampton Saints), 9 Ben White (Leicester Tigers), 1 Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints), 2 Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby), 3 Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), 4 Dino Lamb (Harlequins), 5 James Scott (Worcester Warriors), 6 Josh Basham (London Irish), 7 Ben Earl (Saracens, captain), 8 Sam Moore (Sale Sharks).

Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre (Wasps), 17 Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby), 18 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), 19 Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers), 20 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), 21 Rory Brand (London Irish), 22 Will Butler (Worcester Warriors), 23 Tom Seabrook (Gloucester Rugby).

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