England U20 to play in Newcastle and Bristol
ENGLAND U20 will defend their Six Nations title this season with home games against Ireland at Newcastle’s Kingston Park and Wales at Ashton Gate, Bristol.
The schedule replicates their senior counterparts, with England kicking off the Championship with back-to-back away fixtures in Scotland and Italy before heading to Newcastle on Friday 26thFebruary, kick off 6.05pm.
Bristol will host its first international since 2002 when Ian Peel’s charges face Wales on Friday 11th March, kick off 7.45pm.
The final weekend sees England travel to the South of France for a fixture that has been the Championship decider for the past two years.
England U20’s Six Nations record includes a Grand Slam in 2011 and a retained title in 2012 and 2013 before a single loss in 2014 to France, on the opening weekend, allowed Les Blues to claim the Championship.
Last year’s down-to-the-wire game against France on the final weekend was a title decider. England’s 24-11 victory nudged them ahead on points, making it four title wins in five years.
England U20 Head Coach Ian Peel said: “The competition changes every year and is always extremely competitive. Many players progress through the age groups and the results from Rugby Europe U18 last season are a good indication of just how tough this coming tournament is going to be.
“Playing in different environments and at different grounds allows us to challenge the players in a number of ways as they learn to handle the external factors. For some games more travel is involved, playing Wales close to the border means hopefully a good crowd and strong support for both teams.
“We want players to understand that, as a squad and management, we create our own environment and remain true to it, whereever we play. The process stays the same, whichever hotel, ground, changing room we are in. The focus is on us and delivering the performance we need.”
Speaking of the fixture to be played at Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle Falcons Managing Director Mick Hogan said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring such an exciting game of rugby to our fans in the North East. When we hosted England vs Wales U20 last year the response from the North East public was incredibly positive and we look forward to hosting another fantastic evening of international rugby at the stadium once again.
“The club has a long history of supplying exciting young talent to the England age-grade set up with the likes of Zach Kibirige and Scott Wilson coming through that system. With Callum Chick eligible to be included, we hope to be able to see some of our own academy players on the field once again for this game.”
Bristol Sport Chief-Executive Andrew Billingham said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming England U20 to Ashton Gate and I’m sure the city of Bristol will turn out in numbers and show what fantastic hosts we can be.
“Ashton Gate is becoming the stadium of choice to stage international sport in the South West and we’re proud that we have been chosen once again on the back of hosting England Women in their Euro 2017 qualifier versus Bosnia later this month.”
England U20 Six Nations Fixtures (Home games live on Sky Sports)
v Scotland
Friday 05 February (8pm)
Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow
v Italy
Friday 12 February (7.10pm)
Stadio Pacifici, San Dona’ Di Piave
v Ireland
Friday 26 February (6.05pm)
Kingston Park, Newcastle
Tickets are available here: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2863
v Wales
Friday 11 March (7.30pm)
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Tickets will be available to purchase through Bristol Sport, details to be released by the club in due course.
v France
Friday 18 March (6.45pm)
Stade du Hameau, Pau
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