Round 2 of the U20 Six Nations takes place on Friday night, with Ireland, France, and England all looking to make it two from two.

All three games kick off on Friday night, with BBC iPlayer showing each of them live, with two games at 8pm and Italy v England at 7pm.

Round 2 Fixtures (all Friday):

France v Ireland – 8pm, BBC iPlayer  – Stade Maurice David, Aix en Provence

Italy v England – 7pm, BBC iPlayer – Stadio Comunale Di Monigo

Wales v Scotland – 8pm, BBC iPlayer & S4C – ZipWorld Stadium, Colwyn Bay

Standings:

Ireland v France

Ireland at France actually meet at the Stade Maurice David in Aix en Provence in probably the key game of the round. Speaking ahead of that contest Ireland Head Coach Richie Murphy said:

“We were pleased with the performance and result in Round 1, but we’ve had to turn the page quickly ahead of a big challenge on Friday night, the players acquitted themselves well last week and we have been able to focus on the areas of our game that need refinement this week.”

“There is no greater test than going away to France and the group are excited about that challenge.”

His side were thoroughly impressive in their 53-5 defeat of Wales in the opening round and Murphy has kept things pretty consistent, with just four changes, Aitzol King coming in on the right wing, his Leinster colleague Daniel Hawkshaw at 12, as well as fellow Leinsterman Rory McGuire at tighthead. Munster’s Ethan Cougland comes in at scrum half.

Murphy’s French counterpart, Jean-Marc Bederede said of his charges ahead of the game: “The reason these 23 players have been picked is based on our approach for the Championship (as he made sweeping changes). We want to give players the opportunity to express themselves in high-level matches. There are a certain number of players who were in the squad at the start and who will have the opportunity to express themselves on the pitch.”

France

15 Max Auriac (Stade Toulousain), 14 Jefferson Joseph (SU Agen), 13 Emilien Gailleton (SU Agen), 12 Louis Le Brun (Castres Olympique), 11 Enzo Reybier (US Oyonnax), 10 Louis Foursans-Bourdette (Montpellier Herault), 9 Baptsiste Jauneau (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 1 Matis Perchaud (Aviron Bayonnais), 2 Victor Montgaillard (USA Perpignan), 3 Valentin Simutoga (ASM Clermont Auvergne), 4 Samuel M’foudi (USA Perpignan), 5 Matthieu Uhila (Montpellier Herault), 6 Leo Banos (Stade Mantois), 7 Noe Della Schiava (La Rochelle), 8 Maloohi Suta (Provence).

Replacements: 16 Lucas Martin (Provence), 17 Louis Keziah Penverne (La Rochelle), 19 Thomas Cretu (Stade Francais Rugby), 19 Raphael Portat (Stade Toulousian), 20 Joseph Exshaw (Union Bordeaux Begles), 21 Jules Coulon (RC Toulon), 22 Aubin Eymeri (Montpellier HErault), 23 Ethan Randle (USA Perpignan).

Ireland

15 Patrick Campbell (Munster), 14 Aitzol King (Leinster), 13 Ben Brownlee (Leinster), 12 Daniel Hawkshaw (Leinster), 11 Shane Mallon (Leinster), 10 Charlie Tector (Leinster), 9 Ethan Cougland (Munster), 1 Jack Boyle (Leinster), 2 James McCormick (Ulster), 3 Rory McGuire (Leinster), 4 Conor O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), 5 Mark Morrissey (Leinster), 6 James McNabney (Ulster), 7 Reuben Crothers (Ulster, captain), 8 James Culhane (Leinster).

Replacements: 16 Josh Hanlon (Ulster), 17 Oisin Michel (Leinster), 18 Darragh McSweeney (Munster), 19 Adam McNamee (Ulster), 20 Conor Moloney (Munster), 21 Matthew Devine (Connacht), 22 Tony Butler (Munster), 23 Dylan O’Grady (Leinster).

Italy v England

England are looking to back up their victory over Scotland last week, where after an hour of pressure they cut loose against their hosts for a 41-24 victory. Head Coach Alan Dickens has made plenty of changes to that side, and has handed a debut to Saracens’ Francis Moore on the left wing. There could also be debuts for Worcester Warriors’ Finn Theobald-Thomas and Leicester Tigers’ Sam Edwards off the bench.

Elsewhere, there is a new skipper in the form of former England U18 and Wellington College captain, Fin Baxter. The Harlequins man starts at loosehead, but last week’s skipper, Toby Knight, stays in the side, the Saracens back rower moves from number 8 to openside, with the experienced and exciting Emeka Ilione of Leicester Tigers coming in at 8. In the backline it’s an all new half back combination as Harlequins’ former Hampton star Jamie Benson starts and 10 and Gloucester’s Matty Jones start inside him at 9, while at full back Northampton Saints’ George Hendy comes in for former Harrow star Henry Arundell, who really stole the show last week.

Speaking ahead of the game Dickens said: “The players were pleased with the performance against Scotland, particularly their ability to take control of the second half. We’ve have had another good week training and seen some new faces in camp. The level of competition within the squad is something I have been really impressed with.”

“Italy will be a strong team on home soil, but the boys are looking forward to our second away trip and getting back onto the pitch in Treviso and improving on last week’s performance. Last week’s game was special for the players and as a team, in that 19 lads made their Under-20s debuts. The performance they put in on the night demonstrates the togetherness of the players and their willingness to work hard for each other.”

His counterpart, Massimo Brunello, has made just two changes to his side that went down against France, Lapo Frangini coming in at hooker and Carlos Berlese coming in at openside. Commenting, Brunello said: “England are a dangerous team, they know how to attack from all sides of the pitch and they are certainly capable of hurting anyone.”

“We have studied them carefully, and our game plan is built to withstand the impact allowing us to express our rugby. We respect them but we do not fear them and we will play openly. The team is mentally ready, charged for being able to return to play in Italy after a very long time. I am confident that Monigo’s crowd will be able to give the right push. We will always play trying to keep the standard high to stay in the game until the end, then we’ll see.”

Italy

15 Francois Carlo Mey (HBS Colorno), 14 Lorenzo Pani (Benetton Treviso), 13 Dewi Passarella (Ruggers Tarvisium), 12 Arturo Fusari (Rugby Gold Flames), 11 Filippo Lazzarin (Petrarca), 10 Nicolo Teneggi (Valorugby Emilia), 9 Alessandro Garbisi (Mogliano 1969), 1 Luca Rizzoli (Capitoline), 2 Lapo Frangini (Ivan Francescato), 3 Riccardo Genovese (Cus Turin), 4 Alessandro Ortombina (Valorugby Emilia), 5 Riccardo Andreoli (Femi-Cz Rovigo), 6 David Odiase (HBS Colorno), 7 Carlos Berlese (Ruggers Tarvisium), 8 Giacomo Ferrari (Capitoline).

Replacements: 16 Tommaso Scarmoncin (Petrarca), 17 Valerio Bizzotto (Rugby Bassano 1976), 18 Matteo Bernardinello (Petrarca), 19 Matteo Stolen (Benetton Treviso), 20 Giovanni Cenedese (Villorba), 21 Gianluca Tomaselli (GS Fiamme Oro), 22 Giovanni Sante (Mogliano 1969), 23 Paul Marie Foroncelli (Rangers Vicenza).

England

15 George Hendy (Northampton Saints), 14 Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears), 13 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints), 12 Ethan Grayson (Northampton Saints), 11 Francis Moore (Saracens), 10 Jamie Benson (Harlequins), 9 Matty Jones (Gloucester), 1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins, captain), 2 John Stewart (Bath), 3 Mikey Summerfield (London Irish), 4 Alfie Bell (Wasps), 5 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints), 6 Alex Wardell (Saracens), 7 Toby Knight (Saracens), 8 Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers.

Replacements: 16 Finn Theobald-Thomas (Worcester Warriors), 17 Mark Dormer (Newcastle Falcons), 18 Will Hobson (Harlequins), 19 Charlie Rice (Bristol Bears), 20 Greg Fisilau (Wasps), 21 Sam Edwards (Leicester Tigers), 22 Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons), 23 Ollie Dawkins (Wasps).

Wales v Scotland

Wales and Scotland are looking to bounce back from different types of defeat last time out, Wales had a really tough time of things against Ireland, while Scotland just ran out of steam in an encouraging performance at time against England.

Wales Head Coach Byron Hayward has made plenty of changes to the side that went down to Ireland, skipper Alex Mann moves from flanker to number 8, with former Millfield star Tom Cowan, now at Bath, coming in on the flank. In the second row Benji Williams and Ryan Woodman both come in while in the front row it’s an all new propping pair as Cardiff Met’s Rhys Barratt starts at loosehead, with Dragons’ Adam Williams at tighthead.

There are changes in the backs too, with an all-new 9-10-12 combinations as Scarlets’ Archie Hughes, Bristol Bears star Jac Lloyd, and Ospreys’ Joe Hawkins all come in. Speaking ahead of the game and reflecting on last week, Hayward said: “We have players who are ready for it (U20 rugby) physically and others, as you will have seen on Friday night, who are a million miles off it. We’ve got to learn from that, put it behind us and look forward to this weekend. I don’t have a concern with regards to talent coming through. I think about how we nurture talent and get it to realise its potential.”

“Sometimes we have good boys at 16s and 18s and sometimes onto 20s, but I think there’s a gap between the boys who are playing 20s level who aren’t quite good enough to go straight through to the regional team. There’s a gap where they’re not playing enough rugby, and they’re holding tackle bags most of the time – I’ve seen it at Scarlets.”

Scotland, meanwhile have seen Head Coach Kenney Murray make just three changes to his side, bringing in GHA’s Andy Stirrat for his debut in the centres, while Michael Jones of Edinburgh comes in for the injured Tom Banatvala at loosehead. Ollie Leatherbarrow is required by Exeter Chiefs so Newcastle Falcons’ Matthew Deehan moves from 6 to 8 with Ealing Trailfinders’ Olujare Oguntibeju coming in on the flank. On the bench there are three players that could make their debuts, Glasgow Hawks’ Ali Rodgers, Exeter University’s Robert Gordon, and Durham University’s Jonty Cope.

Speaking ahead of the game, Murray said: “Down in Wales, we’ll be looking to stay in the fight, defend more accurately and convert our chances into points. If we do that, then I’m confident that the team can perform better than they did last week and get the result we want.”

“There are a huge number of positives to take from last Friday night’s game against England. Our physicality was there, as was our passion and desire to get over the gain line and score some tries, but ultimately the team didn’t perform for the full 80 minutes.”

Wales

15 Cameron Winnett (Cardiff), 14 Harri Houston (Ospreys), 13 Eddie James (Scarlets), 12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 11 Oli Andrew (Dragons), 10 Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears), 9 Archie Hughes (Scarlets), 1 Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Met), 2 Efan Daniel (Cardiff), 3 Adam Williams (Dragons), 4 Benji Williams (Ospreys), 5 Ryan Woodman (Dragons), 6 Tom Cowan (Bath), 7 Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff), 8 Alex Mann (Cardiff, captain).

Replacements: 16 Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 17 Joe Cowell (Cardiff Met), 18 Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), 19 Lewis Jones (Ospreys), 20 Morgan Morse (Ospreys), 21 Morgan Lloyd (Dragons), 22 Dan Edwards (Ospreys), 23 Joe Westwood (Dragons).

Scotland

15 Robin McLintock (Montpellier), 14 Ross McKnight (Glasgow Warriors), 13 Duncan Munn (Glasgow Warriors), 12 Andy Stirrat (GHA), 11 Ollie Melville (Newcastle University), 10 Christian Townsend (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Murray Redpath (Newcastle University), 1 Michael Jones (Edinburgh), 2 Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), 3 Gregor Scougall (Currie Chieftans), 4 Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders), 5 Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Olujare Oguntibeju (Ealing Trailfinders), 7 Rhys Tait (Glasgow Warriors, captain), 8 Matthew Deehan (Newcastle Falcons).

Repalcements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston (GHA), 17 Ali Rodgers (Glasgow Hawks), 18 Callum Norrie (Strathallan School), 19 Jake Spurway (Durham University), 20 Robert Gordon (Exeter University), 21 Jonty Cope (Durham University), 22 Euan Cunningham (Glasgow Warriors), 23 Ben Evans (Edinburgh).

Round 1 Results

France 41-15 Italy

Ireland 53-5 Wales

Scotland 24-41 England

Round 3 Fixtures (all Friday 25^th February)

England v Wales – 7pm, BBC iPlayer, S4C

Ireland v Italy – 8pm, BBC iPlayer

Scotland v France – 8pm, BBC iPlayer

Round 4 Fixtures

Wales v France – Friday 10^th March, 8pm, BBC2 Wales & BBC iPlayer

Italy v Scotland – Saturday 11^th March, 7pm, BBC iPlayer

England v Ireland – Sunday 12^th March, 7.15pm, BBC iPlayer

Round 5 Fixtures (all Sunday 20^th March)

Wales v Italy – 2pm, BBC iPlayer

Ireland v Scotland – 5pm, BBC iPlayer

France v England – 8pm, BBC iPlayer