Eng U20 gear up for Pumas clash
England U20 have named a strong team to take on the hosts in their first game of the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
After finishing runners-up to New Zealand in the last two tournaments England need no further motivation to go one better.
Every in the side played a part in the successful 2010 Six Nations campaign, though the London Wasps pair of hooker Arthur Ellis and England Sevens wing Christian Wade will be making their first starts.
Newcastle Falcons No.8 Alex Gray is named as a replacement but will be keeping his fingers crossed that he’ll get a run out after returning from a broken rib.
Tom Homer, the leading points-scorer with 68 points at last year’s tournament in Japan, is named at fullback and his London Irish teammate Marcus Watson, keeps his place on the wing after solid performances in the last two games of the U20 Six Nations.
Head coach Mark Mapletoft is wary of the threat implicit in playing the host nation in their first game of a tournament.
He said: “We will give Argentina the utmost respect. We expect the junior Pumas to play a similar style to the seniors and we know that’s a tough system to beat.
“We’re humble enough to take each game as it comes and not look too far forward. We are taking things one step at a time, one game at a time and everyone is right now one hundred per cent focused on playing against Argentina on Saturday.”
England: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Jonny May, 12 Tom Casson, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Sam Harrison, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Jacob Rowan (Captain), 6 Will Welch, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 Calum Green, 3 Shaun Knight, 2 Arthur Ellis, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Lee Imiolek, 18 George Kruis, 19 Alex Gray, 20 Charlie Davies, 21 Rory Clegg, 22 Andrew Forsyth.
Date: Saturday, June 5
Venue: Estadio El Coloso del Parque, Rosario
Kick-off: 16.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Stefano Traverso (Italy)
