Three Leicester Tigers players will go head to head when England face Wales in the Under-20s Six Nations on Friday (March 6, 7.45pm).
Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet returns to the England Under-20s fold following his Gallagher Premiership debut last month, while club colleague Freddie Steward – an ever-present in this year’s tournament – once again lines up at full-back for the Red Rose.
Meanwhile development squad fly-half Sam Costelow starts for Wales at Kingsholm Stadium on Friday evening as head coach Gareth Williams makes just one change to the side which beat France last time out.
England U20s head coach Alan Dickens said: “We were frustrated with the defeat to Ireland in round three, but it’s a learning experience for the players and that is a focus for us. We have to learn the lessons and respond against Wales, who will no doubt also be tough opponents.
“For me, Kingsholm was one of the best places to come and play and we’re looking forward to being back on home soil in front of knowledgeable fans who will no doubt be vociferous in their support, which makes a huge difference to the players.
“We have several players involved in the Premiership this weekend and that is great experience for them, but in turn gives others in our squad an opportunity to show how good they are.
“My message to the squad will be to enjoy the experience, learn the lessons from Ireland and put a performance in that they are proud of and that reflects how hard they have worked this week.”
Live coverage of the match at Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm Stadium is provided on Sky Sports Action and Mix.
England U20s team to play Wales (Friday, March 6, kick-off 7.45pm)
15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), 14 Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Bath Rugby), 13 Connor Doherty (c) (Sale Sharks), 12 Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), 11 Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), 10 George Barton (Gloucester Rugby), 9 Sam Maunder (Exeter Chiefs); 1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), 2 Theo Dan (Saracens), 3 Cal Ford (Sale Sharks), 4 Hugh Tizard (Harlequins), 5 George Hammond (Harlequins), 6 Rob Farrar (Newcastle Falcons), 7 Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs), 8 Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs).
Replacements: 16 Sam Riley (Harlequins), 17 Sam Crean (Saracens), 18 Harvey Beaton (Saracens), 19 Alex Groves (Bristol Bears), 20 Jack Clement (Gloucester), 21 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), 22 Will Haydon-Wood (Newcastle Falcons), 23 Josh Gillespie (Northampton Saints).
Wales U20s team to play England
15 Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Blues), 14 Frankie Jones (Aberavon), 13 Bradley Roderick (Ospreys), 12 Aneurin Owen (Dragons), 11 Mason Grady (Cardiff Blues), 10 Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers), 9 Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Met); 1 Theo Bevacqua (Cardiff Blues), 2 Will Griffiths (Dragons), 3 Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), 4 James Fender (Ospreys), 5 Ben Carter (Dragons), 6 Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), 7 Jac Morgan (c) (Scarlets), 8 Morgan Strong (Ospreys).
Replacements: 16 Dom Booth (Scarlets), 17 Callum Williams (Scarlets), 18 Harri O’Connor (Scarlets), 19 Ed Scragg (Dragons), 20 Gwilym Bradley (Cardiff Blues), 21 Dafydd Buckland (Dragons), 22 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 23 Luke Scully (Worcester Warriors).
