A QUARTET of Warriors players has been included in the England Under-20s Elite Player Squad for this season’s U20s Six Nations and the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina in late May and early June.
Blindside flanker Ted Hill, who has already been capped by England at senior level, has been included in the 32-strong squad, along with his Three Pears Warriors Academy team-mates Kai Owen, James Scott and Ollie Lawrence.
Hill, lock Scott and centre Lawrence have already been capped by England at U20s level but loosehead prop, who made his Warriors debut as a replacement in this season’s European Challenge Cup win over Stade Francais in Paris, is an international newcomer.
The squad will be coached by Steve Bates, Jim Mallinder, Mark Hopley and Richard Whiffin.
“Selecting the 32-player squad was a very difficult task which reflects the quality of the group,” said Bates. “We have several players with Premiership experience and that speaks volumes of how good they are.
“The expectation for us now is to raise the standard and quality of performance from last season’s group and for the players to continue to develop in this environment,”
“We used close to 40 players in last year’s Six Nations, there will always be injuries and those outside of the 32 will still be required so my message to them is to stay fit, stay interested and to continue playing well.
“One of the big things about U20s rugby is that we want the players to drive the game and environment we create. These are the best players at their age and we want them to perform like it on and off the pitch.”
England U20s open their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Cork on Friday, February 1. They then take on France on Saturday, February 9 at Sandy Park, Exeter before heading to Colwyn Bay to face Wales on Friday, February 22.
Bedford Blues’ Goldington Road will stage England’s home match against Italy on March 8 with the final match against Scotland on February 15 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
The squad will meet at Bisham Abbey this Sunday for a week-long training camp, before meeting again on January 27 ahead of the Six Nations opener.
“The wider group will meet on Sunday and during the week we need to set some parameters around how we want to play, for the players to continue to get to know each other on and off the pitch so it becomes instinctive when they play, as well as to develop our set piece and defensive organisation,” said Bates.
