England U20s have named their 32-man Elite Player Squad for the 2018/19 season.
The squad, which will compete in the 2019 Six Nations as well as the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina, will be led by Steve Bates and Jim Mallinder as well as fellow coaches Mark Hopley (Northampton Saints), James Scaysbrook and Richard Whiffin (Gloucester Rugby).
Hopley, Scaysbrook and Whiffin join for the season as part of the latest coach development programme agreement between England Rugby and Premiership Rugby.
Future stars ✨
England U20s men have named their Elite Performance Squad for 2019.
Find out more: https://t.co/pBMHLawZnQ pic.twitter.com/GViK8d69kq
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 4, 2019
Of the 32 players, 14 have been capped at U20 level previously with 10 playing in last year’s final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in France.
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), who made his England senior debut in the November Quilter Internationals, is also among the 32.
England U20s open their Six Nations campaign against Ireland at the Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday 1 February (KO 19.15 GMT).
The side then take on France on Saturday 9 February at Sandy Park (KO 12.05 GMT), home of Exeter Chiefs, live on Sky Sports.
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The U20s next head to the ZipWorld Stadium, Colwyn Bay to face Wales on Friday 22 February (KO 19.05 GMT), live on S4C, before a second home fixture of the tournament with the side playing against Italy on Friday 8 March at Bedford Blues’ Goldington Road (19.45 GMT), live on Sky Sports.
Their final fixture of the Six Nations will be against Scotland on Friday 15 March at Northampton Saints’ Franklin’s Gardens (19.45 GMT), live on Sky Sports.
The 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship will be held in May/June.