England U20 head coach Rob Hunter has made three changes from the side that defeated Wales 26-20 last Saturday to face Italy at Bath’s Recreation Ground on Friday (kick off 7.30pm) – and has retained Worcester Warriors duo Andy Short and Matt Kvesic.
Harlequins prop Will Collier comes in for Sale Sharks’ Henry Thomas while Bath Rugby scrum half Chris Cook will take to the field on his home ground in place of Gloucester Rugby No. 9 Dan Robson.
The final change sees Exeter Chiefs lock Addison Lockley replace London Irish’s Kieran Low.
Exeter Chiefs’ 17-year-old prop Luke Cowan-Dickie makes his first appearance in the U20 match day squad and is joined by fellow newcomer, London Wasps lock Joe Launchbury. Newcastle Falcons No. 8 Alex Gray once again captains the side.
Hunter said: “We enjoyed the win in Wales, winning over there is no mean feat but this week we’re moving on and all of our focus now is fully geared towards the Italy match.”
England U20 starting XV:
15) Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14) Andy Short (Worcester Warriors)
13) Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
12) Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby)
11) Jamie Elliott (Northampton Saints)
10) George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9) Chris Cook (Bath Rugby)
1) Mako Vunipola (Bristol Rugby)
2) Mike Haywood (Northampton Saints)
3) Will Collier (Harlequins)
4) Addison Lockley (Exeter Chiefs)
5) Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
6) Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
7) Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers)
8) Alex Gray (C) (Newcastle Falcons)
Replacements:
16) Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
17) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
18) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
19) Ollie Steadman (Leeds Carnegie)
20) Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)
21) Guy Armitage (London Irish)
22) Christian Wade (London Wasps)