England Under-20s head coach Alan Dickens has named four young Saints in his matchday 23 for the opening clash of the 2022 Under-20 Six Nations, as England face-off with Scotland on Friday (4 February, kick-off: 8pm).
An all-Saints centre partnership will see Ethan Grayson and Tom Litchfield line-up side by side in the midfield as England open their campaign; lock Tom Lockett also starts the match in the engine room, while George Hendy is set to enter the action at The Dam Heath Stadium, Edinburgh from the bench.
Fresh from making his European debut for Saints, 19-year-old Litchfield will add a third cap at U20 level to his tally on Friday evening after featuring for the Red Rose last summer. But for Lockett, Grayson and Hendy, the clash with Scotland will mark their first international involvement at that level – with the trio all in line to earn their first England U20 caps in Edinburgh.
And head coach Dickens said: “We’ve had a really great start to our training week and the attitude and commitment from the lads has been outstanding.
“Yesterday we had a joint session with Oxford University following our game against them in mid-January. It’s helpful to be able to incorporate that into our preparation for the Six Nations.
“Scotland will be a tough side to face but the boys have put in quality preparation and we’re looking forward to getting out on the pitch in Edinburgh.
“For many of the players this game will be their first Six Nations experience and that will be a very special moment; I want them to remember that on Friday night and savour the occasion.”
ENGLAND U20s vs SCOTLAND U20s
U20 Six Nations Championship
The Dam Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 8pm
Live on BBC iPlayer
15 Henry Arundell (London Irish, Caps 0)
14 Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears, Caps 3)
13 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints, Caps 2)
12 Ethan Grayson (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
11 Ollie Dawkins (Wasps, Caps 0)
10 Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
9 Tom Carr-Smith (Bath Rugby, Caps 2)
1 Mark Dormer (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
2 John Stewart (Bath Rugby, Caps 1)
3 Mikey Summerfield (London Irish, Caps 0)
4 Alfie Bell (Wasps, Caps 0)
5 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
6 Alex Wardell (Saracens, Caps 0)
7 Kofi Cripps (Wasps, Caps 0)
8 Toby Knight (Saracens, Caps 0) - Captain
Replacements:
16 Jasper Spandler (Bath Rugby, Caps 0)
17. Will Hobson (Harlequins, Caps 0)
18. Robin Hardwick (Wasps, Caps 0)
19 Charlie Rice (Bristol Bears, Caps 0)
20 Greg Fisilau (Wasps, Caps 0)
21 Matty Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Caps 0)
22 Jamie Benson (Harlequins, Caps 0)
23 George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
England U20s 2022 Six Nations fixtures
Friday 4 February - Scotland v England - KO 8pm - DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Friday 11 February - Italy v England - KO 7pm - Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Friday 25 February - England v Wales - KO 7pm – Castle Park, Doncaster
Saturday 12 March – England v Ireland - KO 7.15pm – StoneX Stadium, London
Sunday 20 March - France v England - KO 8pm - Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan
All games will be available via BBC iPlayer.
