England U20s confirm squad ahead of Six Nations opener

Defending champions England have confirmed a 26-man squad for the upcoming edition of U20 Six Nations Championship.

The squad under the charge of head coach Steve Bates has converged at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre on Sunday and has 12 capped players in it while nine are from the England U20 squad that reached the final of World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia last year.

Anthony Allen, Richard Blaze and James Ponton, who are all part of the coach development programme agreement signed between the RFU and Premiership Rugby will assist Bates as England aim to win their seventh title.

England will kick-start their campaign with a clash against Italy at Stadio Enzo Bearzot in Gorizia on 2nd February.

England U20s squad:

Backs

Rory Brand (London Irish), Will Butler (Worcester Warriors), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)*, James Grayson (Northampton Saints), Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)*, Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Ben Loader (London Irish)*, Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)*, Tom Parton (London Irish), Ben White (Leicester Tigers)*.

Forwards

Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)*, Josh Basham (London Irish)*, Ben Earl (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)*, Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), Dino Lamb (Harlequins) , Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)*, Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)*, Joe Morris (Worcester Warriors), Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)*, James Scott (Worcester Warriors)*, Alex Seville (Gloucester), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)*, Henry Walker (Gloucester), Tom Willis (Wasps)*.

*no previous England U20s appearances