England have named a
strong squad for this seasons U20 Championship in France, with talent and
experience, they will be one of the favourites going into the tournament. While
the squad rotation rules will ensure that everyone tastes competitive action, England
will hope several key names will propel them into the final once again. Here
are five names to watch out for;
Ben Curry, flanker (Sale Sharks)
The
flanker has been in and out of the England set-up, last appearing in the 2017 U20
Six Nations. However, he has excelled at Sale, laying claim to no less than 24
starting appearances over this season alone, crossing the whitewash eight
times. While he offers outstanding defensive work and ball carrying, it is his
breakdown work which sees him stand out. In a time when loose forwards have
been unable to make the same impact as in years gone by, Ben has found a way. With
his ability and experience he is likely to be a key leader for this England squad.
Gabriel Ibitoye, winger (Harlequins)
While
he may not have exploded onto the club scene in the same way, Ibitoye is well
versed in the England shirt. He started all five games in the previous U20
Championship, and is one of only six players in the squad that took part in
last year’s final. With explosive pace and power to match, Ibitoye has proven
himself a handful for opposition defences. If England can utilise their
backline, he will undoubtably create opportunities, as well as having the ability
to finish them.
Joel Kpoku, lock (Saracens)
As a late addition to the
fold, Kpoku made his England age group debut just a few weeks ago against the Junior
Boks. With Dino Lamb ruled out of the tournament through injury, Kpoku is a
more than adequate replacement. He has had an outstanding season playing for
Saracens Storm and caught the eye of head coach Steve Bates and is the next
lock on the outstanding production line that crafted Maro Itoje & now Nick
Isiekwe. Kpoku is following a similar mould to the locks before him, with an abrasive
and clinical play style, expect to hear him leading from the frontline.
Ben Loader, winger (London Irish)
Ben Loader
has ended the season in great form and may be peaking at just the right moment
for the U20 Championship. The winger scored a try as he made his Premiership
debut against Bath on the final day of the season. He then crossed the whitewash
again against the Junior Boks for England, showing his powerful running as he
bumped off the would-be tacklers. Loader may have been flying under the radar until
now, but his recent performances are likely to mark him out as a dangerous
talent. Linking him up with the experienced campaigners like Will Butler &
clubmate Tom Parton, is just what he needs to finish off his exciting season.
Marcus Smith,
fly-half (Harlequins)
It is
hard to imagine anyone predicting the season this 19-year-old has had. 29 appearances
for Harlequins amassing over 1,900 minutes played and 208 points, the
Premiership Young Player of the Season award, and time as an England senior squad
apprentice player. Marcus Smith has exploded into English rugby and now has the
chance to shine at age-group rugby. Despite his age, he has shown composure,
maturity, excellent game management, precise distribution and quality kicking.
If England can get as much out of him as his club side have, he is more than
capable of being England’s star man, unlocking their dangerous backline, controlling
matches and winning games.
With
the quality available in England’s squad, is it hard to see them not
progressing to the latter stages of this years U20 Championship. This group
will have been frustrated to have let a Grand Slam slip through their fingers
against Scotland in this years Six Nations, and there are a number of players
that will remember the agony of such a heavy defeat to New Zealand in last year’s
final. But, as is clear from the squad announced, England will be aiming for
nothing short of a fourth U20 Championship title come the final day in Beziers.
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