Warriors Academy stars Josh Watkins and Ben Howard have been named in the England Under 20 Elite Player Squad for the 2012/13 season.
They have been selected as part of a 32-man squad that will look to defend the Under 20 Six Nations title in the New Year before heading to France for the IRB Junior World Championship next June.
England Under 20 Head Coach Rob Hunter, assisted by Nick Walshe, has called on 15 players previously capped at this level while five of the squad represented England at Under 18 level last season.
Hunter said: “We’re excited to work with the players in our squad. We have some guys back who played for us last season and five who played at Under 18 level last campaign.
“There are also a number of players who have shown up well for their clubs in pre-season. There is always huge competition at this age grade and a lot of players getting first team rugby at their clubs, it’s tough to narrow that down and we expect players to continue to push for inclusion.
“It’s an exciting, skilful and powerful group. Competition for places will be high, but that’s just what you want.”
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster added: “The England Under 20 squad is once again a strong one and the amount of competition for places in each position reflects well on the work the regional academies at the clubs are doing.
“A lot of the players in this squad have come through our age group international programme and that goes to show how well the development pathway is working with players progressing through from the 18s into the Under 20s and then hopefully pushing for places in the Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads.”
Since the formation of the England U20 side in 2007 – replacing the England U21s– the team have recorded an impressive four-year record.
In the 50 matches played, the squad have won 39 and lost eleven, a win percentage of 78 per cent.
The U20s have won three Six Nations Grand Slams, (2008, 2011 and 2012) and have been runners up in the Junior World Championship on three occasions.
Watkins and Howard are yet to make their full senior Warriors debut but both impressed during the club’s good pre-season run.
England U20 Elite Player Squad 2012/13
* Capped by England at Under 20 level last season
** Capped by England at Under 18 level last season
Forwards
Dominic Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)*
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)*
Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)*
Max Crumpton (Saracens)*
Matt Hankin (Saracens)
Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)*
Tom Jubb (Saracens)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)**
Nathan Morris (London Wasps)*
Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)*
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)*
David Sisi (London Irish)*
Scott Spurling (Saracens)*
Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)*
Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)**
Backs
Jack Arnott (Exeter Chiefs)
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)**
Tom Collins (Northampton Saints)
Alex Day (Northampton Saints)*
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
Nathan Fowles (Sale Sharks)
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)*
Will Hooley (Northampton Saints)
Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)
Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks)
Richard Lane (Bath Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)*
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)**
Josh Watkins (Worcester Warriors)**
Anthony Watson (London Irish)*