Alan Dickens names his England Men's U20 Six Nations team to play Wales
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England U20 head coach, Alan Dickens, has named his team to play Wales in their first home game of the U20 Six Nations Championship at Castle Park, Doncaster, on Friday 25 February (KO 19:00).
There are eight changes to the starting line-up from England’s game against Italy in the second round of the championship.
Full back Henry Arundell returns to the side after his impressive start in Scotland. Outside centre Jacob Cusick and left wing Cassius Cleaves make their debuts, while scrum half Sam Edwards is in the starting 15 for the first time.
In the front row, hooker, Finn Theobald-Thomas and tighthead prop, Will Hobson make their starting 15 debut. Second row, Charlie Rice, also makes his start and blindside flanker, Chandler Cunningham-South, makes his Six Nations debut.
Loosehead prop, Fin Baxter, continues to captain the side, while Alfie Bell moves position in the second row to 5 from 4. Toby Knight remains at openside flanker with Emeka Ilione also staying in position at 8.
Previously capped, Mikey Summerfield, Kofi Cripps, Matty Jones and Louie Johnson are on the bench in positions 18, 20, 21, 22 with newcomers Joe Vajner, Archie McArthur, Lewis Chessum and Rekeiti Ma’sai White at 16, 17, 19, 23 respectively.
Dickens said: “We had a tough game against Italy but we have had almost two weeks to reflect, analyse and plan for our game against Wales.
“There’s been a great energy in camp this week with some more new faces involved.
“This week the focus has been on us and what we can control. That said, we will need to have the ability to tactically adapt within the game situation.
“Having home crowd support at Castle Park will bolster the boys as we take on a competitive Welsh side.”
England U20 v Wales U20
15. Henry Arundell (London Irish, Caps 1)
14. Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears, Caps 5)
13. Jacob Cusick (Leicester Tigers, Caps 0)
12. Ethan Grayson (Northampton Saints, Caps 2)
11. Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins, Caps 0)
10. Jamie Benson (Harlequins, 2 Caps)
9. Sam Edwards (Leicester Tigers, Caps 1)
1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, Caps 3) - Captain
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas (Worcester Warriors, Caps 1)
3. Will Hobson (Harlequins, Caps 2)
4. Charlie Rice (Bristol Bears, Caps 2)
5. Alfie Bell (Wasps, Caps 2)
6. Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish, Caps 0)
7. Toby Knight (Saracens, Caps 2)
8. Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers, Caps 3)
Replacements
16. Joe Vajner (London Irish, Caps 0)
17. Archie McArthur (Wasps, Caps 0)
18. Mikey Summerfield (London Irish, Caps 2)
19. Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers, Caps 0)
20. Kofi Cripps (Wasps, Caps 1)
21. Matty Jones, (Gloucester Rugby, Caps 2)
22. Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 2)
23. Rekeiti Ma’asi White (Wasps, Caps 0)