England U20s side to play Italy
England U20s head coach Steve Bates has named his side to face Italy on Sunday in their second fixture of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Bates’ side take on Italy in Perpignan (KO 3.30pm BST) having beaten Argentina 39-18 in their opening Pool B fixture.
There are nine changes to the starting XV with the side captained by Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry.
In the front row, prop forwards Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby) and Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) both start, while Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers) is named in the second row.
Tom Willis (Wasps) is chosen at flanker with scrum-half Rory Brand (London Irish) and Marcus Smith (Harlequins) making up a new half-back pairing.
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors) is named at inside centre with Ben Loader (London Irish) and Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins) chosen on either wing.
Hooker Gabriel Oghre (Wasps), prop Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby) and flanker Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby) are among the replacements having not been involved in the opening fixture on Wednesday in Narbonne.
Prop forward Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints) has been ruled out of the tournament with an injury sustained in Wednesday’s opening fixture so James Kenny (Exeter Chiefs) has been called into the squad as a replacement.
England will end their Pool B fixtures against Scotland in Beziers on Thursday, 7 June, KO 8pm BST.
Sunday’s fixture will be streamed live on WorldRugby.org, with highlights on ITV 4 at 11pm BST.
England U20s have reached the final in five consecutive years, winning three (2013, 2014, 2016) and since 2008 they have reached eight out of the 10 finals, including last year in Georgia.
Steve Bates said: “Getting off to a winning start in this tournament is really important as it gives you momentum and confidence early on.
“What we’re looking for against Italy is an improved performance across the board. We need to be more accurate, be patient and to play for longer as well as try and turn more of the opportunities we created against Argentina into scores.
“Italy are improving all the time and will be buoyed by their victory against Scotland. They gave us a very competitive game in the Six Nations and we will not underestimate them. However, we also have to be very positive about what we have to bring to this match.
“There are some different combinations, the side we’ve picked is really exciting with threats all over the pitch and I’m really looking forward to seeing them play.
“It’s unfortunate for Toby who has made a huge contribution to our season and he should be very proud of everything he has achieved for England U20s over the past six months.”
England U20s side to play Italy:
15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
11. Ben Loader (London Irish)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Rory Brand (London Irish)
1. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Rugby)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
6. Tom Willis (Wasps Rugby)
7. Ben Curry – captain (Sale Sharks)
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)
Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps Rugby)
17. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
19. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
21. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
22. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
23. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
England U20 fixtures:
England 39-18 Argentina
England v Italy
Sunday 3 June, KO 3.30pm BST – highlights on ITV 4 11pm
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan
England v Scotland
Thursday 7 June, KO 8pm BST – highlights on ITV 4 midnight
Stade de la Méditerranée, Beziers
Semi-finals and ranking play-offs:
Narbonne and Perpignan, 12 June
Finals day:
Beziers, 17 June
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