Date: Mon 03 Sep 2012

London Irish Academy stars David Sisi and Anthony Watson have both been named in the England Under 20 EPS squad for 2012/13.

England have named an Under 20 Elite Player Squad containing an exciting blend of “experience, skill and power” for the 2012/13 season.

The 32-man group will look to defend the Under 20 Six Nations title in the New Year before heading to France for the IRB Junior World Championship next June. Both Sisi and Watson were part of last year's victorious Under 20 Six Nations squad.

Head Coach Rob Hunter, assisted by Nick Walshe, has called on 15 players previously capped at this level while five of the squad represented England at Under 18 level last season.

Hunter said: “We’re excited to work with the players in our squad. We have some guys back who played for us last season and five who played at Under 18 level last campaign.

“There are also a number of players who have shown up well for their clubs in pre-season. There is always huge competition at this age grade and a lot of players getting first team rugby at their clubs, it’s tough to narrow that down and we expect players to continue to push for inclusion. It’s an exciting, skilful and powerful group. Competition for places will be high, but that’s just what you want.”

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster added: “The England Under 20 squad is once again a strong one and the amount of competition for places in each position reflects well on the work the regional academies at the clubs are doing.

“A lot of the players in this squad have come through our age group international programme and that goes to show how well the development pathway is working with players progressing through from the 18s into the Under 20s and then hopefully pushing for places in the Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads."

Since the formation of the England U20 side in 2007 – replacing the England U21 team – they have an impressive four-year record. In the 50 matches played the squad have won 39 and lost eleven, a win percentage of 78 per cent. The U20s have won three Six Nations Grand Slams, (2008, 2011 and 2012) and have been runners up in the Junior World Championship on three occasions.

England U20 Elite Player Squad 2012/13

* Capped by England at Under 20 level last season
** Capped by England at Under 18 level last season

Forwards
Dominic Barrow*; Jack Clifford*; Luke Cowan Dickie*; Max Crumpton*; Matt Hankin; Alec Hepburn*; Tom Jubb; Ross Moriarty**; Nathan Morris*; Tom Price*; Kyle Sinckler*; David Sisi*; Scott Spurling*; Elliott Stooke*; Harry Wells; Scott Wilson**

Backs
Jack Arnott; Callum Braley**; Tom Collins; Alex Day*; Ollie Devoto; Nathan Fowles; Sam Hill*; Will Hooley; Ben Howard; Mark Jennings; Richard Lane;
Jack Nowell; Henry Slade*; Tom Stephenson**; Josh Watkins**; Anthony Watson*