Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
SaintsConference & EventsFoundationStore
International

Ma'asi, Sleightholme and Coles all selected in England U20s side to play Wales

Samson Ma'asi is in line for an England under-20s debut this weekend if he comes off the bench against Wales, with Steve Bates today naming his side for the Red Rose's third Six Nations clash.

Ollie Sleightholme and Alex Coles also start their third straight match for England in this year's Championship, which kicks off at 7.05pm at the ZipWorld Stadium in Colwyn Bay (live on S4C).

Bates has made seven changes to the side that defeated France in round two, but Sleightholme is selected once again on the wing with Coles packing down in the second row.

Ma'asi has already represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level, and the young hooker is set to take another step up the ladder as he is named amongst the under-20s replacements for the first time.

England opened their Six Nations campaign with defeat in Ireland, before victory against France at Exeter’s Sandy Park.

Bates' side will round the Championship on Northampton soil, with their final match against Scotland being held at Franklin's Gardens on Friday 15 March (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tickets are available from £10 adults and £5 juniors, CLICK HERE to book now.

Bates said: “This is a huge opportunity for those players coming in to show how talented they are and stake a claim for future selection. We had an impressive win against France, and the players that have come in since that victory have trained well and we have confidence in them to build on that win.

“We know Friday is going to be a huge challenge, it is away in Wales and we are expecting a hostile atmosphere but the players should relish that.

“We’d like to see a combination of the two performances we have had in the tournament. We want to see the forward dominance we saw against France, while also playing with the fluidity we had against Ireland and then manage the game appropriately.”

England U20s side to play Wales

15. Josh Hodge
14. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
13. Connor Doherty
12. Tom de Glanville
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins
10. Kieran Wilkinson
9. Ollie Fox

1. Olly Adkins
2. Nic Dolly
3. Alfie Petch
4. Joel Kpoku
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
6. Richard Capstick
7. Aaron Hinkley
8. Tom Willis

Replacements:
16. Samson Ma'asi (Northampton Saints)
17. Kai Owen
18. Jack Bartlett
19. James Scott
20. Rusiate Tuima
21. Sam Maunder
22. Manu Vunipola
23. Jack Reeves

Next Home Match

Northampton Saints
01
Days
02
Hours
57
Mins
Saracens
Friday 29 March - 7:45pm
Visit the Saints Store
Visit the Saints Store
Match tickets on sale now!
Match tickets on sale now!
23/24 Rugby Camps
23/24 Rugby Camps