England U20 head coach, Alan Dickens, has named his team to play France in their final game of the U20 Six Nations Championship at Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan, on Sunday 20 March (KO 20:00).

There are five changes to the starting line-up from England’s game against Ireland in the fourth round of the championship.

Henry Arundell returns at full back having last represented the side against Wales.  Deago Bailey remains at right wing as does Cassius Cleaves on the left.  Inside centre, Ethan Grayson, also remains in position with Will Joseph joining him at outside centre.  Louie Johnson returns this week as fly half with Nye Thomas joining at scrum half, having started on the bench when the side faced Ireland. 

There is only one change in the forwards starting line-up with Chandler Cunningham-South coming into the second row, at 5, joining Lewis Chessum at 4. 

In the front row, John Stewart is hooker, Fin Baxter remains loosehead prop with Tim Hoyt – who made his Six Nations debut last week - at tighthead prop.

Emeka Ilione, remains at number 8 and captains the side for the second time in the championship.  Openside flanker, Toby Knight, and Ewan Richards, blindside flanker, remain in position. 

Previously capped Archie McArthur, Mikey Summerfield, Tom Lockett, Lucas Brooke, Matty Jones and Tom Litchfield are on the bench in positions 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23 respectively with Ollie Fletcher and Iwan Stephens part of the match day team for the first time in the championship at positions 16 and 22.

Dickens said: “After the game against Ireland we’ve taken time to review and analyse our performance and focus on where we need to improve. 

“As with every week of the championship, players look at their individual and team performance in the match and areas that need to be worked on in training. 

“This Sunday we will be against a tough France side, but I know the boys will want to give their all in this final game of the championship.”


England U20 v France U20
15. Henry Arundell (London Irish, Caps 2)
14. Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears, Caps 7)
13. Will Joseph (London Irish, Caps 1)
12. Ethan Grayson (Northampton Saints, Caps 4)
11. Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins, Caps 2)
10. Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons, 3 Caps)
9. Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks, Caps 1)
1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, Caps 6)
2. John Stewart (Bath Rugby, Caps 4)
3. Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers, Caps 1)
4. Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers, Caps 2)
5. Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish, Caps 2)
6. Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby, Caps 6)
7. Toby Knight (Saracens, Caps 3)
8. Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers, Caps 5) - Captain

Replacements
16. Ollie Fletcher (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
17. Archie McArthur (Wasps, Caps 1)
18. Mikey Summerfield (London Irish, Caps 4)
19. Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Caps 2)
20. Lucas Brooke (London Irish, Caps 3)
21. Matty Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Caps 3)
22. Iwan Stephens (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
23. Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints, Caps 4)

England U20s 2022 Six Nations fixtures and results
Friday 4 February - Scotland v England - KO 8pm - DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh (24-41)
Friday 11 February - Italy v England - KO 7pm - Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso (6-0)
Friday 25 February - England v Wales - KO 7pm – Castle Park, Doncaster (43-14)
Saturday 12 March – England v Ireland - KO 7.15pm – StoneX Stadium, London (27-42)
Sunday 20 March - France v England - KO 8pm - Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan

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