All three Warriors in the England Under 20 squad have been picked to start tonight’s game against Italy at the Manchester City Academy Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).
Three Pears Warriors Academy youngsters Jack Singleton, Andrew Kitchener and Huw Taylor are all handed starting berths for their tournament opener which is live on Sky Sports 1 tonight.
Singleton, who scored four tries against Italy earlier this year in the RBS 6 Nations Under 20s, starts at hooker while Taylor and Kitchener will occupy the second row.
England Under 20 Head Coach Martin Haag said: “Training has been fantastic. The boys have really bought into what we are trying to achieve on the field but I’m also really pleased with how they are gelling as a squad off it.
“When you come together with players and staff from all different rugby backgrounds it can sometimes be hard to gel quickly but we have a real sense of togetherness and an incredible team spirit.
“I’m delighted with how the first couple of days have gone but the real test is how we perform in games and the squad can’t wait to get started.”
England face Italy, Scotland and Australia in the pool stages but have kept the focus on themselves and their identity in how they want to play.
Haag added: “We have done our analysis on Italy but the priority in training has been what we can do as a team, how we constantly improve and drive standards.
“We want our play to have its own identity and have concentrated on that. We know that Italy are going to be stronger than they were in the Six Nations and will pose us some real questions but we are also looking forward to reacting to the opportunities we get through both attack and defence.
“We have three tough games and want to start well in the tournament so have selected on form and fitness as we manage players over what will be a demanding few weeks.
“When you watch the training levels and see the intensity it is incredibly competitive, which is what we want, and there are a number of young guys who will benefit from having this playing opportunity early in the tournament.”
England squad to play Italy:
15 Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby)
14 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
12 Harry Mallinder (C) (Northampton Saints)
11 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
10 Theo Brophy-Clews (London Irish)
9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)
1 Tom West (Wasps)
2 Jack Singleton (Warriors)
3 Billy Walker (Saracens)
4 Andrew Kitchener (Warriors)
5 Huw Taylor (Warriors)
6 George Nott (Sale Sharks)
7 Jack Willis (Wasps)
8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)
Replacements
16 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)
17 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
18 Will Stuart (Wasps)
19 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
20 Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)
21 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Johnny Williams (London Irish)
23 Max Malins (Saracens)
England Pool B fixtures:
England v Italy (Tuesday 7 June) kick-off 7.45pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
England v Scotland (Saturday 11 June) kick-off 6pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
England v Australia (Wednesday 15 June) kick-off 7.45pm, AJ Bell Stadium
Semi-finals and knockout matches (Monday 20 June) Details TBC
Final and knockout games (Saturday 25 June) Details TBC
For tickets and more information about the World Rugby U20 Championship visit: www.englandrugby.com/u20championships