England welcome Scotland to Twickenham Stoop on Friday night for their opening match of the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations.
The hosts ran out 41-24 winners in Edinburgh last year, including a stunning solo effort from Henry Arundell, and will be hoping to repeat their feat on home soil, while Scotland will be out for revenge in the capital.
Both, too, will have eyes on the ultimate prize of the Championship itself, after third and sixth-placed finishes.
Where to Watch
The action gets underway at 7pm on Friday 3 February at Twickenham Stoop, with live coverage on BBC iPlayer.
Pace, pace and more pace from @henry_arundell 👏👏#SCOvENG | #SixNationsU20 pic.twitter.com/ETrEHJ4GvR
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 4, 2022
England Team News
Head coach Alan Dickens has named his side to face Scotland, with Lewis Chessum set to captain the side.
Chessum will be joined by Danny Eite in the second row, behind a front row of Archie McArthur, Tim Hoyt, and Finn Theobald-Thomas.
Finn Carnduff, Greg Fisilau, and Chandler Cunningham-South complete the forward pack, while Charlie Bracken and Monty Bradbury will combine as the half-backs.
There are first starts for Josh Hathaway and Tobias Elliott on the wing, with Sam Harris completing the back three.
Joseph Woodward and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White are the starting centres.
“For all players named, this game will be a very important moment and so they should savour the occasion this Friday evening,” said head coach Alan Dickens. “Special congratulations should also go to the boys who will get their first England cap.
“We’re looking forward to taking on what I’m sure will be a strong Scotland side at Twickenham Stoop.
“It’s our first game of the Six Nations in 2023, which is always a bit of an unknown as we’re unsure what the opposition will bring, but that also means we can focus on what we’re doing as a team.”
England U20 team to face Scotland U20:
15. Sam Harris, 14. Tobias Elliott, 13. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 12. Joseph Woodward, 11. Josh Hathaway, 10. Monty Bradbury, 9. Charlie Bracken; 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
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
Scotland Team News
Liam McConnell and Duncan Munn will co-captain Scotland as they make the trip south to face rivals England.
Head coach Kenny Murray has selected a number of debutants to take the pitch at Twickenham Stoop on Friday evening, with Rudi Brown and Jonny Morris completing the back row alongside co-captain McConnell.
Max Surry, Corey Tait, and Callum Norrie will pack down in the front row, with Jake Parkinson and Harris McLeod completing the forward pack.
Ayrshire Bulls pair Ben Afshar and Richie Simpson are set to combine in the half-backs, while Kerr Yule joins co-captain Munn at centre.
Amena Caqusau, William Robinson, and Dan King make up the back three as Scotland look to open their Championship with a win.
“Playing against England is always an exciting way to begin the Six Nations and the whole team are looking forward to giving their all at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday,” said Murray.
“We’ve learnt a lot from our campaign last year and the guys have been working hard to implement those lessons in training to make sure we can walk away with a result we are proud of.
“It’ll take a great amount of physicality and determination from the team to walk away with a victory and I’m sure the players have it in them.”
Scotland U20 team to face England U20:
15. Dan King, 14. William Robinson, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Amena Caqusau, 10. Richie Simpson, 9. Ben Afshar; 1. Max Surry, 2. Corey Tait, 3. Callum Norrie, 4. Jake Parkinson, 5. Harris McLeod, 6. Liam McConnell, 7. Rudi Brown, 8. Jonny Morris
Replacements
16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17. Craig Davidson, 18. Moby Ogunlaja, 19. Eddie Erskine, 20. Ruaraidh Hart, 21. Sam Derrick, 22. Finlay Burgess, 23. Geordie Gwynn