Ralph McEachran and Tye Raymont Interview: The latest Sale props ready to make a name for themselves
Ralph McEachran (centre) and Tye Raymont (right) preparing for the Under-20s Six Nations vs Cambridge
©RFU Collection via JMP UK
England Under-20s will begin the defence of their Six Nations crown on Thursday evening when they renew their rivalry with Ireland in Cork.
Despite a gripping 32-32 draw against Ireland in last year’s championship, Mark Mapletoft’s side took the title before being crowned World U20s Champions later that summer.
England were undefeated in 2024 with the historic double, and because of their success, they have been dubbed a golden generation.
In particular, exceptional talent in the forward pack smashed everything in its path, with the likes of Sale Sharks’ Asher Opoku-Fordjour a key cog in last year’s achievements.
The 20-year-old - who received a first senior cap last autumn - is currently a part of Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations plans but there are two new young props - both from Sale - who are keen to make a name for themselves in the Under-20s.
Ralph McEachran is set to start at loosehead against Ireland while clubmate Tye Raymont has been named on the bench with both looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“We know, obviously, it's going to be a tough game, but I think leading into Ireland and the rest of the tournament, we’ve just been focusing on ourselves and how we can develop our performance,” McEachran tells TRU.
“I think pretty much it’s about picking up where we left off last year with that brotherhood mentality. That’s still a massive theme for us. We’re a close-knit group.”
“Coming off some pretty good campaigns, obviously Six Nations last year and the World Cup, there's definitely always going to be the target on our backs,” Raymont adds. “But I think as a team, we're confident in what we can and go and deliver, so that's just kind of the main focus for us. We're not too worried about the other teams' mentalities about us.
For the North-West duo, it is their first experience of the Under-20s set-up but both have been working hard in order to reach this point.
As for McEachran, he has featured in two Premiership Cup games for the Sharks this term while Leeds-born Raymont made his Premiership debut last week off the bench against Bath.
“It was pretty surreal to finally get the chance after quite a while,” Raymont says. “It’s really motivating and feeds that hunger to keep going, and it's only going to prepare me well for this tournament.”
And something which both McEachran and Raymont may look to lean on during the Under-20s Six Nations is the vital developmental experience they have gained in the National Leagues.
So far this season, McEachran has played eight times for Lymm, who are at joint top of National 2 North with Leeds Tykes.
The majority of Raymont’s National League Rugby experience came last season, where he played 19 of Fylde's 26 matches in the same division.
Raymont has also had game time this term, again following in Opoku-Fordjour’s footsteps, at Sedgley Park and Sale FC in National 1, and both players firmly believe their experiences have helped shape them as players.
Raymont explains: “Going between the different clubs and playing different styles and brands of rugby is great for my development, not being one-dimensional.
“And I’ve enjoyed it so much as well. The lads are all brilliant, and everything about it is just really positive.”
McEachran adds: “I'd second what Tye’s just said, especially for our position. The experience of playing senior rugby in the front-row is really valuable to our development as players, and I’m really grateful for all the opportunities I've had in the National Leagues.”
And those North-West clubs such as Lymm and Fylde will be cheering for both McEachran and Raymont on Thursday evening with the pair set to make their Under-20s debuts.
“It’s a massive honour,” Raymont, who has represented England at Under-17s, 18s and 19s level, concludes. “Anytime you get to pull on an England jersey, it’s a very proud moment for yourself and your family as well.
“It’s everything you’ve worked so hard towards in that moment, but once you've got that shirt on, it’s about going out and doing a job. That’s what we’ve said as a group and we’re just really excited to go and show what we can do.”
England team vs Ireland: Kinder, Bracken, Griffin, Hall, Allison, Coen, McParland, McEachran, Tuipulotu, Sela, Sodeke, Burrow (c), Kpoku, Pollock, James.
Replacements: Gulley, Scola, Raymont, Ainsworth-Cave, Timmins, Friday, Bellamy, Lilley
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")
