Bears duo named in England U20 side

Thursday, March 16th 2023

Joe Jenkins and Sam Worsley have been named in England U20's side for the final fixture of the Under-20 Six Nations (5pm KO).

The Bears duo will look to make an impact off the bench in England's final match against Ireland at Musgrave Park, Cork.

The match will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer.

Archie McArthur and Afolabi Fasogbon are the starting props, bookending Finn Theobald-Thomas at hooker.

Danny Eite is back from injury to join captain Lewis Chessum in the second row.

Chandler Cunningham-South returns to No. 8, which sees Greg Fisilau move to openside with Finn Carnduff on the blindside.

Charlie Bracken and Monty Bradbury continue their partnership in the halves.

Joseph Woodward also makes his return, reuniting with Rekeiti Ma'asi-White in the midfield.

Cassius Cleaves earns his first start of the year, following a successful return from injury. Tobias Elliott is on the other wing with Sam Harris at fullback.

Nathan Jibulu, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Tim Hoyt, Robert Carmichael, Tristan Woodman, Nye Thomas, Sam Worsley and Joe Jenkins are the replacements.

Head coach, Alan Dickens said: “We were obviously disappointed with the result against France, but we’ve taken lessons from that loss against a very good side.

“This is a tight squad of players which has regrouped and is focused on facing Ireland. In camp this week the players’ attention has been on the core skills and values, including taking the opportunity to improve at any given chance, that saw us open our campaign so well.

“For Sunday’s fixture we’ve selected a team that we think can meet the challenge that Ireland brings – they carry hard, play well off a talented fly-half, and with a quality goal kicker, they can punish mistakes from anywhere on the pitch.”

England men's U20 team v Ireland

1. Archie McArthur (Gloucester)
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
3. Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
4. Danny Eite (Gloucester)
5. Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
6. Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
7. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
8. Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)
9. Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
10. Monty Bradbury (London Irish)
11. Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
12. Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
13. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
14. Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins)
15. Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)

Replacements

16. Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
18. Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers)
19. Robert Carmichael (Leicester Tigers)
20. Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)
21. Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
22. Sam Worsley (Bristol Bears)