Eng U20s 2023

[Which Tyler]

If that's supposed to be a world class try, then there must be an awful lot of them.
He picks the ball up, and runs in a fairly straight line, that's a shorter distance than any of the defenders. You could argue that he's quicker than the defending 8, but... that's about it.
I gotta be honest, "Quicker than a not very quick player" doesn't scream "World class try" to me

[Mikey Brown]

He could be the next Ben Earl.

[Margin_Walker]

He's going to be a player alright.

Looked outstanding against some massive SA packs on the U18 tour in the summer. One of those players you see playing age grade that are clearly sure things as far as prospects go.

[Epaminondas Pules]

He's going to be a player alright.

Looked outstanding against some massive SA packs on the U18 tour in the summer. One of those players you see playing age grade that are clearly sure things as far as prospects go.

He certainly did. Was outstanding in SA.

To be fair Saints are just giving the kid some props. It is a flat foot race, not a worldly definitely.

[fivepointer]

JWC set to resume this summer in SA. we have Australia, Ireland and Fiji in our pool.

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... ca-in-2023

[FKAS]

French officials to be lining the side of the pitch to sign up any unattached promising Fijians no doubt.

[Slater582]

Ah, that's where McArthur, Fisilau & Ma'asi-White ended up after having to leave Wasps. Given lock Alfie Bell played in the 2022 U20 Six Nations and is still available for this year, I expected him to be selected. He ended up following Fisilau to Exeter. Kofi Cripps is another forward who featured last year and is eligible again for 2023. Did he find another club?

Is Bristol second row Charlie Rice injured? Also expected Quins winger Conor Oresanya to appear in either the England or Ireland squad having represented both previously but not named in either.

U20s EPS announced today. Looks pretty strong on paper, with one point of interest the appearance of Hathaway, who was involved for Wales U20s last year.

From a LI point of view, it's interesting to see Fasogbon (prop) involved. Only turned 18 at the end of August, but is a massive human and was pretty dominant carrying the ball at U18s.

Forwards
Archie McArthur (Gloucester)
George Patten (Northampton Saints)
Calum Scott (London Irish)
Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)
Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
James Halliwell (Bristol Bears)
Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Browne (Harlequins)
Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Danny Eite (Gloucester)
Robert Carmichael (Leicester Tigers)
Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
Joshua Manz (Leicester Tigers)
Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
Josh Dingley (Bath Rugby)
Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)

Backs
Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)
Sam Worsley (Bristol Bears)
Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins)
Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
Benjamin Waghorn (Harlequins)
Jacob Cusick (Leicester Tigers)
Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester)
Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Connor Slevin (Harlequins)
Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)

Fair to say that is a beefy old pack! I don't think I've seen a bigger group of tightheads! Though not just bulky, it's dynamic and by no means lacking in skills.

Really pleased to see Nye Thomas in there. Would have liked to see Jake Garside too, but hey ho. Good options at flyhalf and fullback. Hopefully Joe Woodward gets good game time; he looks classy. Lacks a little sparkle in the backline. They're all decent and very talented, but I'm more excited by the forwards this year.

Apparently they've had a few outside the core EPS attend some of the training sessions so presume there's a chance others like Garside might be able to push their way in.

Just looked at his profile on the Northampton website and it shows Jake Garside as being born September 2002. The only other 2002 born player in this squad I could find was Jimmy Halliwell. Given Halliwell was in the same England U18 squad last season as 2004 born Finn Carnduff I'm not sure Bristol have the correct information. Basically I think Garside may be overage.

Pepper had foot surgery recently so unlikely to be involved, Falcons saying out long term. Frustrating as he was brilliant in the 4-5 matches he played breaking into the first team. Last player who came out the academy and looked so comfortable with senior rugby was Wilson.

Any chance he'll be back in time for the Junior World Cup

[FKAS]

Yeah I dunno what happened to Kofi Cripps, a quick Google search doesn't show anything. Might be following the Uni/BUCS route.

[fivepointer]

Team for opening game on Friday. A real bonus having Fisilau and Cunningham-South available.

1. Archie McArthur
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas
3. Tim Hoyt
4. Danny Eite
5. Lewis Chessum
6. Finn Carnduff
7. Greg Fisilau
8. Chandler Cunningham-South
9. Charlie Bracken
10. Monty Bradbury
11. Josh Hathaway
12. Joseph Woodward
13. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White
14. Tobias Elliott
15. Sam Harris

Replacements

16. Calum Scott
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
18. Afolabi Fasogbon
19. Robert Carmichael
20. Tristan Woodman
21. Nye Thomas
22. Louie Johnson
23. Toby Cousins

[TheNomad]

A real bonus having Fisilau and Cunningham-South available.

Some serious power in that back row

[FKAS]

A lot of power in that backrow agreed, not a lot of breakdown nous though. Carnduff is a big lad, has played a little bit of lock and is a good third lineout jumper option.

[Banquo]

Team for opening game on Friday. A real bonus having Fisilau and Cunningham-South available.

1. Archie McArthur
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas
3. Tim Hoyt
4. Danny Eite
5. Lewis Chessum
6. Finn Carnduff
7. Greg Fisilau
8. Chandler Cunningham-South
9. Charlie Bracken
10. Monty Bradbury
11. Josh Hathaway
12. Joseph Woodward
13. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White
14. Tobias Elliott
15. Sam Harris

Replacements

16. Calum Scott
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
18. Afolabi Fasogbon
19. Robert Carmichael
20. Tristan Woodman
21. Nye Thomas
22. Louie Johnson
23. Toby Cousins

Cunningham South needs capturing for us asap. Looks terrific in the prem

[FKAS]

He's looking very good isn't he. His only other connection is NZ though and they don't tend to be short on backrow options so we shouldn't be under too much pressure.

[Puja]

A real bonus having Fisilau and Cunningham-South available.

Some serious power in that back row

Touch of the Exeters about that selection though - I wouldn't've picked Fisilau as a natural 7.

Anyone know if the game's available to watch anywhere?

Puja

[fivepointer]

BBC iplayer.

[Yorkie]

Sky Channel 981 from 1850.

[FKAS]

Ma'asi White showing much improved hands so far this 6N. His defensive misread led to the Scots try though but his combination with Hathaway has led to three tries so far.

[Mr Mwenda]

Nice try from the Scots, although I felt the d was a bit weaker than the exclamations about the footwork warranted.

[Mr Mwenda]

Charlie Bracken the son of Keiran?

[FKAS]

Nice try from the Scots, although I felt the d was a bit weaker than the exclamations about the footwork warranted.

I think the defence was largely absent and not a lot of footwork was really required. CCS was to wide and Fisalu simply has to lay a hand on him.

[FKAS]

Charlie Bracken the son of Keiran?

Yep, at Sarries if I remember correctly.

[I R Geech]

The England 10 shits it every time a blue shirt comes near him. The number 8 looks a bit special.

[Mr Mwenda]

I don't like this, Scotland seem to be eking up the pressure and England are wilting.

[FKAS]

It's hard to tell because the commentary is completely one eyed Scottish. Anything they attempt is the bollocks and anything England do is because they are bigger and are more experienced.

England are paying the price for playing a blindside and two 8s. Not mobile enough in the backrow and are losing the breakdown battle.

[FKAS]

England really are all at sea at the minute. Silly mistakes.