Northampton Saints backs George Hendy and Ethan Grayson will both start for England against Ireland in the final pool match of the Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series in Italy.
Head coach Alan Dickens has also named Tom Litchfield amongst the replacements at the Payanini Centre in Verona, with the clash kicking off at 7pm BST on Tuesday 5 July.
After going down 30-22 to South Africa in their opening fixture of the tournament, the Red Rose bounced back to beat France 29-20 – and Tuesday’s result against the Irish, U20s Six Nations champions earlier this year, will dictate England’s opponents in the competition play-offs next week.
“The players really gave it their all against France, and to score four tries and secure a bonus point was well deserved,” said Dickens.
“We know we will need to focus on our discipline in the final pool game against Ireland who, as we experienced in the Six Nations Championship, are a strong side.”
England Under-20s team to face Ireland
15. George Hendy, Northampton Saints, Caps 5
14. Iwan Stephens, Newcastle Falcons, Caps 3
13. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Wasps, Caps 3
12. Ethan Grayson, Northampton Saints, Caps 7
11. Alex Harmes, London Irish, Caps 0
10. Fin Smith, Worcester Warriors, Caps 7
9. Charlie Bracken, Saracens, Caps 2
1. Tumy Onasanya, Sale Sharks, Caps 2
2. Ollie Fletcher, Newcastle Falcons, Caps 3
3. Jevaughn Warren, Saracens, Caps 2
4. Ewan Richards, Bath Rugby, Caps 9
5. Lewis Chessum, Leicester Tigers, Caps 5
6. Ethan Staddon, Bath Rugby, Caps 2
7. Emeka Ilione, Leicester Tigers, Caps 8, Captain
8. Toby Knight, Saracens, Caps 7
Replacements:
16. John Stewart, Bath Rugby, Caps 6
17. Archie McArthur, Wasps, Caps 2
18. Mikey Summerfield, London Irish, Caps 7
19. Charlie Rice, Bristol Bears, Caps 4
20. Chandler Cunningham-South, London Irish, Caps 5
21. Greg Fisilau, Wasps, Caps 3
22. Lucas Brooke, London Irish, Caps 6
23. Tom Carr-Smith, Bath Rugby, Caps 5
24. Jed Walsh, Leicester Tigers, Caps 2
25. Tom Litchfield, Northampton Saints, Caps 7
26. Sam Harris, Bath Rugby, Caps 1
England’s Pool A fixtures and results
Round 1: England 22 – 30 South Africa, Friday 24 June (Payanini Centre, Verona)
Round 2: France 20 – 29 England, Wednesday 29 June (Payanini Centre, Verona)
Round 3: Ireland v England, Tuesday 5 July, KO 7pm (Payanini Centre, Verona)
Play offs: Tuesday 12 July (Stadio Monigo, Treviso)
