Warriors youngsters Huw Taylor and Jack Singleton will start for England in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship final against Ireland this Saturday night at Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium (kick-off 7pm).
Fellow Warriors Academy star Andrew Kitchener is named on the bench ahead of the clash, which will be shown live on Sky Sports 3.
England recorded pool victories against Italy, Scotland and Australia before defeating South Africa in the semi-final with Taylor getting on the scoresheet.
Haag’s side have scored 18 tries on their way to the last two as England get set for their seventh final in the competition in nine years.
Head Coach Haag said: “We need to execute effectively and do the simple things well. There is a lot of emotion around these games which is why it’s important not to try and do anything differently in our approach.”
Haag’s side scored five tries against South Africa in a stunning first 40 minutes of rugby and he says the same players deserve the chance to play against Ireland on Saturday.
He continued: “There were some tough calls to make in selection. The performance against South Africa was fantastic and because of that those guys have earned their places for the final game.”
In total 10 players have made their debut at Under 20 level for England during the competition and Haag added: “They’ve come a long way in a short space of time. The team spirit is fantastic and as a result the group is stronger and tighter.
“I’ve said it before, the players who are not selected deserve as much credit and recognition as those who are. Each week those players have given their all to ensure the squad is in the best possible place heading into a game.
“Many of these players have come through the age groups and this is the last time they will all play together. Over the past three or four weeks they have made friendships that will last forever. That’s testament to the way they have acted and also gone about their work.”
“However, the staff and the whole squad know the job is not yet done and Saturday gives us the opportunity to create some very special memories.”
Good luck to our young Warriors!
England squad to play Ireland:
15 Max Malins (Saracens)
14 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
12 Johnny Williams (London Irish)
11 Matt Gallagher (Saracens)
10 Harry Mallinder (C) (Northampton Saints)
9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)
1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
2 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)
3 Billy Walker (Saracens)
4 Stan South (Harlequins)
5 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
6 George Nott (Sale Sharks)
7 Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)
Replacements:
16 Charlie Piper (Harlequins)
17 Tom West (Wasps)
18 Will Stuart (Wasps)
19 Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)
20 Jack Willis (Wasps)
21 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
23 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
England fixtures/results:
England 48-10 Italy (Tuesday 7 June)
England 44-0 Scotland (Saturday 11 June)
England 17-13 Australia (Wednesday 15 June)
Semi-final: England 39-17 South Africa (Monday 20 June)
Final: England v Ireland (Saturday 25 June), 7pm, AJ Bell Stadium
For tickets and more information about the World Rugby U20 Championship visit: http://www.englandrugby.com/u20championships/ #FutureStarsofRugby