England Under 20 have announced their starting XV to face Scotland in their opening Six Nations game on Friday in Plymouth, with Head Coach Rob Hunter naming four debutants and including Worcester back Ben Howard. The game is live on Sky Sports HD, kick off 5.45pm from Albion’s Brickfields Stadium.
No. 8 Jack Clifford will captain the side for the Six Nations while wing Ben Howard, centre Harry Sloan, and flankers Ross Moriarty and Joel Conlon will make their first starts. All replacements named are also in line to make their first appearances.
Hunter said: “We’re all very excited about getting the competition underway, the lads have worked hard and we’re looking forward to see them perform in the white jersey.
“It’s great to have some local boys playing at Plymouth, I’m sure that they can’t wait to get out there. We know that Scotland are well coached, well organised and highly motivated and it’ll be a tough game.”
Plymouth born Jack Arnott added: “I’m really looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd – I’ve got some family coming down and I’m sure it’ll be a great occasion. We’re expecting a tough, physical game from Scotland but at the moment we’re just concentrating on ourselves.”
England Under 20 starting XV to play Scotland
15 Anthony Watson (London Irish)
14 Jack Arnott (Exeter Chiefs)
13 Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)
10 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Alex Day (Northampton Saints)
1 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Max Crumpton (Saracens)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
4 Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
5 Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)
6 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
8 Jack Clifford (c) (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Danny Herriott (Northampton Saints)
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
18 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
19 Tom Jubb (Saracens)
20 Gus Jones (London Wasps)
21 Nathan Fowles (Sale Sharks)
22 Will Hooley (Northampton Saints)
23 Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks)