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Atkinson, Bailey and Quirke lead the charge as England name U20s Six Nations squad
By Kim Ekin
England U20s boss Alan Dickens has named a 32-man squad for the 2021 Six Nations Championship taking place in Cardiff later this month. Six players have been capped previously at U20 level: Harvey Beaton (Saracens), Jack Clement (Gloucester), Luke Green (London Irish), Sam Riley (Harlequins), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks) and Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
There are eight changes from the EPS squad announced in January with Jack Bates (Bristol), Tarek Haffar (London Irish), Louis Hillman-Cooper (Gloucester), Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints), Arthur Relton (Exeter), Ollie Stonham (Saracens), Harry Taylor (Gloucester) and Archie Vanes (Leicester) all receiving call ups.
Dickens said: “In a challenging season the lads have been excellent and I have been pleased we managed to get some game time along the way. Obviously, only 32 are fortunate to make the squad – and there have been some players missing out due to injury – but it has certainly been a wider squad effort going all the way back to November last year when we played our first North vs South match at St George’s Park.
“We have had a couple of camps in the last six weeks which helped bring the group together. The preparation has been good and the commitment from the players has been fantastic.
“I’m really excited, but ultimately it’s about the players. We have a few coming back for a second year at U20s, but the rest weren’t fortunate to play at U18s level last year due to Covid. I’m really looking forward to them being able to put on an England shirt and represent their country which is something that a lot of them haven’t done for a long time.”
For the first time ever the U20s Six Nations will all be played at a single venue with back-to-back matches. “Staying in one hotel together for 31 days and playing at one venue will be a different experience, but it’s just fantastic that we can get a competition up and running for this generation of players.”
Players and management will assemble at Bisham Abbey on June 13 for a few days of training prior to their arrival in Wales later that week for the Championship which will all take place at Cardiff Arms Park.
ENGLAND U20S SIX NATIONS SQUAD
Forwards (18)
Harvey Beaton (Saracens)
Phil Brantingham (Newcastle Falcons)
Lucas Brooke (London Irish)
Arthur Clark (Gloucester)
Jack Clement (Gloucester)
Luke Green (London Irish)
Alex Groves (Bristol Bears)
Tarek Haffar (London Irish)
Lewis Holsey (Worcester Warriors)
Ethan Hunt (Gloucester)
Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers)
Nahum Merigan (Bath)
Ewan Richards (Bath)
Sam Riley (Harlequins)
Ollie Stonham (Saracens)
Harry Taylor (Gloucester)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester)
Archie Vanes (Leicester Tigers)
Backs (14)
Charlie Atkinson (Wasps)
Seb Atkinson (Worcester Warriors)
Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears)
Orlando Bailey (Bath)
Jack Bates (Bristol Bears)
Louis Hillman-Cooper (Gloucester)
Dan Lancaster (Leeds Tykes)
Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints)
Tommy Mathews (Northampton Saints)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
Arthur Relton (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
Fin Smith (Worcester Warriors)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
ENGLAND FIXTURES
Saturday, June 19: vs France, KO 5pm
Friday, June 25: vs Scotland, KO 2pm
Thursday, July 1: vs Ireland, KO 8pm
Wednesday, July 7: vs Wales, KO 8pm
Tuesday, July 13: vs Italy, KO 2pm
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Latest Comments
Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.
Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.
As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.
Go to commentsGood grief
Beauden was his usual industrious self mixing deft touches with mindless kicks
6 or 7 max!!
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