England select five Falcons and five Saints in Under 20s squad

England have named five Northampton Saints and five Newcastle Falcons including the son of a 2003 World Cup squad member in their latest Under 20’s squad.

Midfielder Ethan Grayson, whose dad Paul won 32 caps for his country, is also joined by four players from London Irish and Wasps in the group that prepares for the 2022 Under 20 Six Nations.

Head coach Alan Dickens has opted for 22 new names alongside ten players who have previous international experience at U20 level in his 32-man Elite Player Squad.

Shaun Edwards on French

Shaun Edwards on French

“Selection for the squad has been based on a combination of things: the previous regional camps we’ve held, the work we do with the club academies and coaches, plus our knowledge of the players within the pathway,” he said.

“The communication and collaboration throughout the pathway are excellent and it’s ensuring we identify talented players and get out to see them play early.

“I’d like to thank all the Premiership clubs, the academies, the coaches and Premiership Rugby for their support. It’s been a big team effort.”

“The squad and coaching team are looking forward to two four-day camps and a training game against Oxford University in the first half of January, which is all part of our preparation for the Six Nations and our first game against Scotland.”

At the same time, former Harlequins centre Jordan Turner-Hall was named as England’s new Under 20s defence coach.

The 33-year-old who is part of his former club’s academy coaching set-up represented his country from Under 16 to Under 20 level and was named in the England squad for the 2012 Six Nations, earning two Test caps during victories over Scotland and Italy.

Turner-Hall, who made 172 Quins appearances between 2004 and 2015 joins head coach Alan Dickens and full-time forwards coach Andy Titterrell as part of the 2022 set-up.

Commenting on the appointment Dickens said: “It’s great to have Jordan join the U20s coaching team as part of our attached coaching programme. He is a young and exciting coach who achieved a lot in his playing career.

“His current role at Harlequins is all about preparing academy players to transition to the senior squad and that will be hugely valuable to our players who are looking to make the same progression within the England pathway.”

Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
Alfie Bell (Wasps)
Lucas Brooke (London Irish)
Kofi Cripps (Wasps)
Mark Dormer (Newcastle)
Ollie Fletcher (Newcastle)
Robin Hardwick (Wasps)
Will Hobson (Harlequins)
Emeka Ilione (Leicester)
Geordie Irvine (Northampton)
Tom Lockett (Northampton)
Toby Knight (Saracens)
Guy Pepper (Newcastle)
Charlie Rice (Bristol)
Ewan Richards (Bath)
John Stewart (Bath)
Mike Summerfield (London Irish)
Alex Wardell (Saracens)

Backs
Henry Arundell (London Irish)
Seb Atkinson (Worcester)
Deago Bailey (Bristol)
Jamie Benson (Harlequins)
Tom Carr-Smith (Bath)
Ethan Grayson (Northampton)
Olly Hartley (Wasps)
George Hendy (Northampton)
Matty Jones (Gloucester)
Louie Johnson (Newcastle)
Will Joseph (London Irish)
Tom Litchfield (Northampton)
Fin Smith (Worcester)
Iwan Stephens (Newcastle)