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Matthieu Jalibert blow for France sees Galthie reshuffle backline
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England U20 set priorities straight with rested Noah Caluori
By Josh Raisey
England U20 attack coach Will Parkin has stressed the priority to ensure Noah Caluori is “not just flogged as a 19-year-old” after deciding to rest the Gallagher PREM’s leading scorer for the second match in a row in the U20 Six Nations.
The Saracens wing had been tipped as an outsider to make Steve Borthwick’s senior squad for the Guinness Six Nations at the beginning of the year, having been called into the squad for the Quilter Six Nations, but was instead retained in the U20 side, and started in the round one victory over Wales.
England U20 head coach Andy Titterell and his coaching team decided to rest the teenager for the round two victory over Scotland, and again for the upcoming clash with Ireland in Bath.
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In the midst of what Parkin described as “the longest season of their life” with the World Rugby Junior World Championship getting underway at the end of June, the emphasis is that Caluori has an opportunity to rest as well, having featured heavily for Saracens this season, racking up 12 tries in the PREM.
Not only did Parkin highlight the “huge depth in our back three” for England, but he also outlined the long-term goal for Caluori, which is for the winger to be playing for England and the British & Irish Lions in 10 years’ time, rather than burning him out early on in his career.
“What some people forget is how long this season is for the players in this group,” he said.
“The challenge that these lads have is that a lot of them, especially the ones straight out of school, come from a very, very busy period as upper sixth boys at school into their first pre-season with their senior clubs, into then the longest season of their life because the Junior World Championship doesn’t actually finish until the middle of July.
“So it’s important for us that the player comes first. We’d love Noah to be involved in games, but we’re very fortunate we’ve got huge depth in our back three, and it’s really important for us that we create opportunities for others ahead of the upcoming games and the World Championship.
“For Noah specifically, it’s important that he has opportunities not just to rest but also to keep going after his physical development. As much success as he’s had, he’s just a 19-year-old boy. So for us, the most important thing is Noah is still playing in 10 years for England and the Lions, he’s not just flogged as a 19-year-old.”
England sit in second place in the U20 Six Nations table, but are yet to lose a game so far alongside leaders France.
They have only made two changes from the side that triumphed over Scotland 33-17 in Edinburgh, with Ollie Streeter replacing Sonny Tonga’uiha at tighthead and Tyler Offiah starting on the wing in Sam Winters’ place.
England U20 XV
1 Ollie Scola
2 Jimmy Staples
3 Ollie Streeter
4 Elliot Williams
5 Patrick Hogg
6 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
7 Seb Kelly
8 Connor Treacey
9 Lucas Friday
10 Finn Keylock
11 George Pearson
12 Victor Worsnip
13 Nick Lilley
14 Tyler Offiah
15 James Pater
Substitutes
16 Jerold Gorleku
17 Oliver Spencer
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha
19 Tate Williams
20 George Marsh
21 George Newman
22 Will Knight
23 Ollie Davies
Ireland U20 XV
1 Max Doyle
2 Lee Fitzpatrick
3 Sami Bishti
4 Joe Finn
5 Donnacha McGuire
6 Josh Neill
7 Bill Hayes
8 Diarmaid O’Connell
9 Christopher Barrett
10 Tom Wood
11 Daniel Ryan
12 James O’Leary
13 Robert Carney
14 Derry Moloney
15 Noah Byrne
Replacements
16 Rian Handley
17 Christain Foley
18 Blake McClean
19 Sean Walsh
20 Ben Blaney
21 James O’Dwyer
22 Charlie O’Shea
23 Johnny O’Sullivan
