England Under-20s head coach Steve Bates has named his side to play France on Friday at Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers (KO 8pm GMT).
England Under-20s head coach Steve Bates has named his side to play France on Friday at Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers (KO 8pm GMT).
Henry Walker, Marcus Street, Dino Lamb, Ben Earl, Cameron Redpath and Gabriel Ibitoye return to the starting line-up, having not been involved against Scotland in Round Three.
Earl will captain the side from flanker, having scored his first Premiership try for Saracens on Sunday, while scrum-half Ben White is named in the starting XV after being among the replacements against Scotland.
James Grayson is chosen at full-back with Jordan Olowofela switching to the wing. Fraser Dingwall will partner Redpath in midfield.
The match is the fourth fixture of the 2018 Under-20 Six Nations with unbeaten France leading the table with three bonus-point victories so far in the tournament.
England have two bonus-point victories and a defeat against Scotland from their three games heading into Friday’s fixture.
Your England U20 team to take on France U20 in Béziers on Friday night ?
Preview ? https://t.co/D4uiEE8xla pic.twitter.com/GHs8efRhlz
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 7, 2018
Bates commented: “Friday is going to be a massive challenge for the squad but it is one we’re relishing.
“We know this is going to be a tough game, they (France) have played exceptionally well in their three games and at home they are going to be a real handful.
“However, that’s the beauty of the Six Nations, this is going to be a huge challenge that many of the players would not have experienced before and I’m expecting them to rise to it.
“I want to see us bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Scotland. We have to match France physically and play with intensity.
“I expect our forwards to be abrasive and our backs to play at a high-tempo. We have to be more accurate with the ball, keep our composure and raise our game.”
England Under-20s squad to face France on Friday:
15. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks)
11. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
10. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
1. Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
4. Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
5. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
6. Josh Basham (London Irish)
7. Ben Earl (capt) (Saracens)
8. Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)
Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)
17. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
19. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
20. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
23. Tom Seabrook (Gloucester Rugby)