England U20s have named three young Saints in their 26-man squad ahead of their Six Nations opener against Italy on Friday (2 February).
The squad, who will be led by head coach Steve Bates, assembled at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre on Sunday ahead of Friday’s match at Stadio Enzo Bearzot, Gorizia, kick off 7pm (6pm GMT).
England include 12 players capped at this level, with nine also part of the squad that reached the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia last year, including Saints' talented fly-half James Grayson.
Also included are Saints Academy duo, who are set to earn their first caps at this level during this campaign, Fraser Dingwall and Toby Trinder. The centre and prop link up with rest of the squad ahead of the first Six Nations clash with Italy this Friday.
“I’m very pleased for the lads, this is a fantastic achievement for them and for the Club,” said Academy manager Simon Sinclair.
“Seeing the success that this Academy is producing is testament not only to the players, but to the whole Academy set-up we have here at Saints.
“Fraser, James and Toby have all worked immensely hard over the last few months and to see them earning recognition for that is very pleasing – they can compete at the very highest level and we look forward to seeing how they get on.”
ENGLAND U20s SQUAD TO FACE ITALY:
BACKS
Rory Brand (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)*
James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)*
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Ben Loader (London Irish)*
Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)*
Tom Parton (London Irish)
Ben White (Leicester Tigers)*
FORWARDS
Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)*
Josh Basham (London Irish)*
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)*
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)*
Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)*
Joe Morris (Worcester Warriors)
Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)*
James Scott (Worcester Warriors)*
Alex Seville (Gloucester)
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)*
Henry Walker (Gloucester)
Tom Willis (Wasps)*
*no previous England U20s appearances
England U20 Six Nations fixtures:
Italy v England
Friday 2 February, KO 7pm (6pm GMT)
Stadio Enzo Bearzot, Gorizia
England v Wales
Friday 9 February, KO 7.45pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Kingston Park, Newcastle
Tickets available here
Scotland v England
Friday 23 February, KO 7.30pm
Myreside, Edinburgh
France v England
Friday 9 March, KO 9pm (8pm GMT)
Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers
England v Ireland
Friday 16 March, KO 8pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Tickets available here
