Fraser Dingwall, Ollie Sleightholme and Alex Coles will all run out one final time for England as the World Rugby Under-20s Championship reaches its conclusion in Argentina on Saturday.
The Northampton Saints trio have all played key roles in the Red Rose’s campaign so far, with the side winning four of the five matches to reach the fifth-place play-off match where they meet Wales in Rosario (kick-off 2.30pm BST, live on S4C/World Rugby platforms).
“For the majority of the players this will be their final game in the pathway and I hope they’ve all enjoyed the experience.”
Steve Bates, England U20s head coach
Centre Dingwall will again captain the side after England defeated Ireland 30-23 last time out, with Coles picked in the second row and Sleightholme – who is still in the running for the tournament’s top try-scorer award – on the wing.
Despite pool victories over Italy and Australia, England didn’t progress to the top four of the Championship, having lost their opening game against Ireland.
Steve Bates’ side were instead left to compete for fifth place, later defeating Ireland in the semi-final to set up a clash with Wales.
Bates said: “This match is extremely important for us as a team, for personal pride and making sure we finish the tournament in a positive way.
“As a group this is our last as a team, so it’s an opportunity to finish on a high, having won four out of five fixtures. The team will be excited to play against a very good Wales team.
“For the majority of the players this will be their final game in the pathway and I hope they’ve all enjoyed the experience. They have all bonded as a group, I hope they will remember this experience very fondly and finish with a positive win against Wales.”
ENGLAND U20s SIDE TO FACE WALES
15 Tom de Glanville (Bath Rugby)
14 Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
13 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints) - captain
12 Luke James (Sale Sharks)
11 Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons)
10 Manu Vunipola (Saracens)
9 Sam Maunder (Exeter Chiefs)
1 James Kenny (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Will Capon (Bristol Bears)
3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
4 Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
6 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
7 Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Tom Willis (Wasps Rugby)
Replacements:
16 Nic Dolly (Sale Sharks)
17 Olly Adkins (Gloucester Rugby)
18 Alfie Petch (Exeter Chiefs)
19 Kai Owen (Worcester Warriors)
20 Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
21 Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs)
22 Ollie Fox (Yorkshire Carnegie)
23 Tom Seabrook (Gloucester Rugby)
24 Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
25 Connor Doherty (Sale Sharks)
England U20 fixtures and results:
4 June: England U20s 26-42 Ireland U20s
8 June: England U20s 24-23 Italy U20s
12 June: England U20s 56-33 Australia U20s
17 June: England U20s 30-23 Ireland U20s
22 June: England U20 v Wales U20 (Saturday, 2.30pm BST, live on S4C/World Rugby platforms)
