Four Senior Academy Exiles have been named in Alan Dickens’ first England under-20s matchday squad of the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations, who take on Scotland under-20s.
The game will take place this Friday (3rd February) at the Twickenham Stoop, and will kick-off at 7pm.
Chandler Cunningham-South (back-row) and Monty Bradbury (fly-half) make their first competitive starting berths of the calendar year, with Cunningham-South in his second year of under-20s action.
Afolabi Fasogbon (prop) and Calum Scott (hooker) are poised for their first competitive appearances for their nation at under-20 level as Dickens’ designated finishers.
Lewis Chessum of Leicester Tigers captains the team, with Head Coach Dickens praising the efforts of the players earning their first cap this Friday night.
“For all players named, this game will be a very important moment and so they should savour the occasion this Friday evening,” he said.
“Special congratulations should also go to the boys who will get their first England cap.
“We’re looking forward to taking on what I’m sure will be a strong Scotland side at Twickenham Stoop.
“It’s our first game of the Six Nations in 2023, which is always a bit of an unknown as we're unsure what the opposition will bring, but that also means we can focus on what we’re doing as a team.
“We’ve had a very worthwhile time together in camp, as well as two good games against Oxford University and Loughborough University.
“The commitment and mindset from the players have so far been nothing short of exceptional and on Friday evening they'll be able to take that hard work into the tournament.”
England men's under-20 team to take on Scotland under-20s
1 Archie McArthur
2 Finn Theobald-Thomas
3 Tim Hoyt
4 Danny Eite
5 Lewis Chessum (c)
6 Finn Carnduff
7 Greg Fisilau
8 Chandler Cunningham-South
9 Charlie Bracken
10 Monty Bradbury
11 Josh Hathway
12 Joseph Woodward
13 Rekeiti Ma'asi-White
14 Tobias Elliott
15 Sam Harris
Replacements
16 Calum Scott
17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour
18 Afolabi Fasogbon
19 Robert Carmichael
20 Tristan Woodman
21 Nye Thomas
22 Louie Johnson
23 Toby Cousins
U20 Six Nations home fixtures
Friday 3 February – England v Scotland – KO 19:00 GMT – Twickenham Stoop, London
Friday 10 February – England v Italy – KO 19:00 GMT – Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Friday 24 February – Wales v England – KO 19:15 GMT
Friday 10 March – England v France – KO 20:00 GMT – The Recreation Ground, Bath
Sunday 19 March – Ireland v England – KO 17:00 GMT
Tickets for the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations home fixtures are on sale and can be purchased via englandrugby.com/tickets.
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