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Title-chasing England U20s change four, include two new starters
Mark Mapletoft has named an England side containing four changes for Friday’s Six Nations U20s finale away to France. The English were denied a shot at the Grand Slam by Ireland’s last-gasp, game-levelling converted try at The Rec last Friday.
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That electric match finished 32-all but the draw was still enough to leave England one point clear of the Irish, who host bottom-side Scotland this weekend.
Ireland are expected to win that 7pm kick-off in Cork comfortably and it would mean that the English will have to produce a big result in Pau against the world champions France if they are to jump back into the top spot.
Their match starts an hour later on the night and they are looking to clinch what would be a first championship title since the behind-closed-doors tournament of 2021.
Having impressed off the bench at Bath, George Makepeace-Cubitt has been promoted for his first start at out-half with Josh Bellamy dropping to the bench.
The other backline change sees the return of Ioan Jones at full-back with Ben Redshaw switching to the left wing and Alex Wills missing out.
Another first-time starter is James Isaacs, who is chosen as hooker with Jacob Oliver moving to the bench. He is joined there among the replacements by Olamide Sodeke, who has given up his starting pace at lock to Joe Bailey.
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Mapletoft said: “The team are incredibly excited for Friday night. These are the types of fixtures we all want to be part of in rugby and we will savour the opportunity we now have. I have been impressed with the resilient mindset of our team after last week’s result.
“It’s a strong reminder to myself, Andy (Titterrell) and the coaches what a special group we are lucky to possess this year. It was a fantastic crowd last week, and I want to thank all of those who have come out to support us at The Rec.
“The team have worked extremely hard and are intent on leaving their mark on this fixture, and this tournament overall, against what will be one of our biggest challenges yet in Pau.”
England (vs France, Friday)
15. Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 3 caps)
14. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 5 caps)
13. Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 6 caps)
12. Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Effingham and Leatherhead RFC, 3 caps)
11. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 4 caps)
10. George Makepeace-Cubitt (Rams RFC, Reading Abbey RFC, 3 caps)
9. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 3 caps)
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 13 caps)
2. James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 1 cap)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 4 caps)
4. Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot Rugby Club, 4 caps)
5. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 3 caps)
6. Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 14 caps)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Banbury RFC, 4 caps)
8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Coopers Company and Coborn School, 9 caps)
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Replacements:
16. Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle Rugby Club, 4 caps)
17. Scott Kirk (Bath Rugby, Michaelhouse College, 4 caps)
18. James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury Broncos Rugby Club, 8 caps)
19. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 3 caps)
20. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 3 caps)
21. Ben Douglas (Newcastle Falcons, Northern Football Club, 3 caps)
22. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 3 caps)
23. Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 3 caps)
"Fair contest in the air, shouldn't have been a penalty…"
– The Mark Mapletoft hot take after his England U20s were dramatically held to a gripping 32-all Six Nations draw with Ireland, from Liam Heagney ?? at The Rec #U6N20 #EnglandRugby #IrelandRugby #ENGvIRE #rugby pic.twitter.com/foEVj9GgdZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 8, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
Unfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to comments