Five players from London Irish's senior academy have been selected in the England U20s squad to face Wales this Friday. Josh Basham will join Ben Loader and Tom Parton in the starting XV with Rory Brand and Matt Williams listed among the replacements.


The side includes four members of the squad that reached the final of the World Rugby U20 championship in Georgia last year and the game which kicks off at 7.45pm will be live on Sky Sports Action.

Leicester Tigers' scrum-half Ben White captains the side, having made his U20 debut in last Friday's victory over Italy.

“We had a good victory against Italy last Friday in difficult conditions and made a solid start to the tournament," said Steve Bates, England U20s head coach.

“The players have recovered very quickly from that opening match and the sessions we’ve had this week have been extremely competitive and focused.

“Some of the changes we’ve made have been enforced as we’ve lost players back to their clubs for the weekend’s Premiership fixtures which is a great opportunity for them.

"Selection for Italy was very close in many positions and choosing the starting XV for Friday against Wales has been just as tough. The players we’ve chosen have performed very well in the first half of the season as well as contributing positively to training this week so they have earned their chance.

“Kingston Park is a quick pitch, which will suit our exciting backs and I’m expecting us to play high-intensity, high-tempo rugby.”

 

England U20 team to face Wales

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks)
11. Ben Loader (London Irish)
10. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben White (c) (Leicester Tigers)
1. Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
4. Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
5. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
6. Josh Basham (London Irish)
7. Tom Willis (Wasps)
8. Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)

Replacements

16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)
17. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
19. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
23. Matt Williams (London Irish)

England U20 Six Nations fixtures and results:

Italy v England: 17-27

England v Wales
Friday 9 February, KO 7.45pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Kingston Park, Newcastle

Scotland v England
Friday 23 February, KO 7.30pm
Myreside, Edinburgh

France v England 
Friday 9 March, KO 9pm (8pm GMT)
Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers

England v Ireland 
Friday 16 March, KO 8pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Ricoh Arena, Coventry

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