Eng U20s 2023

[Mellsblue]

Dickens is apparently heading to Tigers, interesting that it's happening before the world cup. I'd assumed he'd want to have a crack at that first.

Hmmpf. Not sure I'm thrilled about that - I don't know he's done a fantastic job with the U20s, although it has been a very challenging period. Is he going to a senior role, or with the academy?

Puja

Is he old enough to rule out a playing contract?

[FKAS]

47, so only just out of Tigers age bracket.

With no Ashton, Wigglesworth and Gopperth next season the average age of the backline is going to come down a fair bit.

[Mellsblue]

Squad announced. There are some some quality names in the forwards.

[FKAS]

Didn't realise Cusick was still young enough to be in contention. He reads the game well so could be useful in the centres. Unlucky for Josh Manz not to make it, presume he's picked up an injury.

Have we got a more natural openside in the squad this time?

ENGLAND U20 MEN SQUAD
Forwards
Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)
Craig Wright (Northampton)*
Ethan Clarke (Harlequins)*
Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Harry Browne (Harlequins)
Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby)*
James Halliwell (Bristol Bears)*
Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)
Nathan Michelow (Saracens)*
Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)
Zach Carr (Harlequins)*

Backs
Alex Wills (Sale Sharks)*
Benjamin Waghorn (Harlequins)
Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins)
Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
Connor Slevin (Harlequins)*
Jacob Cusick (Leicester Tigers)
Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)
Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)
Toby Thame (Northampton)*

[Puja]

That is a good looking squad. No Hoyt in the front row is interesting - he didn't have a good 6N, but it's surprising considering he was first choice for the first 4 games. Hopefully the kick he needs to kick on.

Puja

[FKAS]

That is a good looking squad. No Hoyt in the front row is interesting - he didn't have a good 6N, but it's surprising considering he was first choice for the first 4 games. Hopefully the kick he needs to kick on.

Puja

Replaced with James Halliwell who started off as a flyhalf/fullback who then moved to 8 and then to tighthead. Be interesting to see how he gets on.

Hoyt definitely needs a kick up the backside. He's got a lot of potential.

[fivepointer]

No Hoyt, McArthur, Carmichael, Eite, Bradbury, Hathaway from the 6n's. a few lads move up from the u19s. I imagine the JWC squad will be announced after the 2 games in Georgia.

[Margin_Walker]

Bradbury had a serious looking injury he's rehabbing, so wouldn't expect to see him this summer. Similar looking story for Calum Scott for LI who was involved in the 6N.

Poorly timed injuries for both with all that's going on.

[16th man]

Bradbury had a serious looking injury he's rehabbing, so wouldn't expect to see him this summer. Similar looking story for Calum Scott for LI who was involved in the 6N.

Poorly timed injuries for both with all that's going on.

Never going to happen but a system where the RFU centrally contracted the best 20 or so players from LIs u20s and 18s then spread them around the league in a draft system would be interesting and a better solution than just "who has budget to pay anyone else minimum wage"?

[Puja]

Bradbury had a serious looking injury he's rehabbing, so wouldn't expect to see him this summer. Similar looking story for Calum Scott for LI who was involved in the 6N.

Poorly timed injuries for both with all that's going on.

Never going to happen but a system where the RFU centrally contracted the best 20 or so players from LIs u20s and 18s then spread them around the league in a draft system would be interesting and a better solution than just "who has budget to pay anyone else minimum wage"?

The RFU are currently still running Wasps and Wuss academies, aren't they?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Bradbury had a serious looking injury he's rehabbing, so wouldn't expect to see him this summer. Similar looking story for Calum Scott for LI who was involved in the 6N.

Poorly timed injuries for both with all that's going on.

Never going to happen but a system where the RFU centrally contracted the best 20 or so players from LIs u20s and 18s then spread them around the league in a draft system would be interesting and a better solution than just "who has budget to pay anyone else minimum wage"?

The RFU are currently still running Wasps and Wuss academies, aren't they?

Puja

And Yorkshire/ex-Leeds

[Epaminondas Pules]

England won 36 v 41! A cracking result in Tblisi!

[Puja]

England won 36 v 41! A cracking result in Tblisi!

Looks like a massively rotated side, so excellent result!

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Hopefully the facebook link works, but the game is here for anyone interested.



Edit - Yep, link works...

[TheNomad]

Looks like we lost today

[fivepointer]

We did, 38-40. Thought we had a stronger side today with a few regular starters included.

[fivepointer]

JWC fixtures and squad

ENGLAND U20 FIXTURES
England U20 v Ireland U20 – Saturday 24 June – KO 12:30pm BST
England U20 v Fiji U20 – Thursday 29 June – KO 6:00pm BST
England U20 v Australia U20 – Tuesday 4 July – KO 1:00pm BST

ENGLAND U20 SQUAD
Forwards
Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
Archie McArthur (Gloucester)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)
Craig Wright (Northampton Saints)*
Ethan Clarke (Harlequins)*
Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Harry Browne (Harlequins)
Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby)*
James Halliwell (Bristol Bears)*
Lewis Chessum (C) (Leicester Tigers)
Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)
Nathan Michelow (Saracens)*
Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)
Zach Carr (Harlequins)*

Backs
Alex Wills (Sale Sharks)*
Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins)
Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
Connor Slevin (Harlequins)*
Jacob Cusick (Leicester Tigers)
Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)
Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)
Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Toby Thame (Northampton Saints)*

*Uncapped England U20 (note: matches during the recent tour of Georgia were friendlies and therefore not capped)

[fivepointer]

[Puja]

I still don't like that back row. No matter what Exeter will try and say, Fisilau is not a 7, and I remain unconvinced that he and CCS can play in the same back row. Would far rather have Woodman there from the start and tell Fisilau and CCS that they're playing for one space and let the other one come angrily off the bench on 60 minutes.

Puja

[FKAS]

That team selection seems to suggest we haven't really learned much from the 6N or the games Vs Georgia and are going to continue with the bulk options. Particularly up front where we've got two and a half locks and then two 8s. I agree Puja it's a balance that doesn't work.

[paddy no 11]

Mon now Ireland

[Mellsblue]

Is this being televised?

[paddy no 11]

Yes, but you'd have to fly over to my gaff to watch it

[Mellsblue]

I’ll get the Learjet fuelled up.

[Mellsblue]

It’s on World Rugby YouTube channel. I’ve stood down the jet.