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Four changes for England U20s as team named to host Wales
England boss Mark Mapletoft has made four changes to his U20s starting team to take on Wales this Friday in Bath following last weekend’s Six Nations round-one success away to Italy.
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The English chalked up a 36-11 success in Treviso but they will take the field at The Rec with three fresh faces in their backs and one in their pack.
With full-back Ben Redshaw switching to outside centre to accommodate the inclusion of Ioan Jones at No15 and Ollie Spencer chosen at inside centre, England have chosen a fully changed midfield as the injured Sean Kerr and Ben Waghorn miss out after their respective 40- and 11-minute games as starters against the Italians.
Archie McParland, the scrum-half who was originally due to start in round one before crying off late, is named at No9 instead of Ben Douglas who filled in for him. Up front, the sole change to the forwards is the promotion to No8 of sub Nathan Michelow who takes over the role from Zach Carr.
This Friday’s game will be McParland’s first cap at U20s level. Back-rower Kane James and back George Makepeace-Cubitt could also earn debut caps from the bench.
Scrum coach Nathan Catt said: “Our U20s have had a really productive week at Bisham Abbey and that has been reflected in our output in meetings, skills sessions and on-field training. We have a positive mindset going into Friday,” he stated.
“Matches against Wales are always special occasions with each side fighting for bragging rights, we expect high intensity from a Welsh team that will feel confident after last week’s result.
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“Of course, it’s fantastic to be returning to Bath where I spent my career as a player and a coach, I’m sure our home support will be eager to cheer us on to another positive result as we look to build momentum into this tournament.”
England U20s (vs Wales, Friday)
15. Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby)
14. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints)
13. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons)
12. Ollie Spencer (Newcastle Falcons)
11. Alex Wills (Sale Sharks)
10. Rory Taylor (Gloucester Rugby)
9. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)*
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
2. Craig Wright (Northampton Saints)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby)
4. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens)
5. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92)
6. Finn Carnduff (capt – Leicester Tigers)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens)
Replacements:
16. Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons)
17. Scott Kirk (Bath Rugby)
18. James Halliwell (Bristol Bears)
19. Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs)
20. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs)*
21. Ben Douglas (Newcastle Falcons)
22. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins)
23. George Makepeace-Cubitt (Rams RFC) *
* denotes new cap at U20s level
Ladies and gentlemen…
Hattrick hero Henry Pollock 👏👏👏#ITAENG #U6N20 pic.twitter.com/mQeoO2OPjS— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) February 2, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments