England U20 continue their flawless campaign in the 6 Nations U20 Championship as they take on Italy this Friday evening at the Recreation Ground in Bath. After three wins from three, the young Red Roses are looking to assert their dominance once again against an Italian side that continues to make strides. For this clash, several players will make their first start, including Oli Scola in the front row and Dom Hanson at scrum-half.
A Confident Squad in Full Control
England approach this fourth matchday with a squad that has shown complete control over their game. Under the guidance of Mark Mapletoft and Andy Titterrell, the English side have demonstrated efficiency across all areas of the pitch, with a rapid and powerful defence proving a key asset.
“We are focusing on our own performance and want to be ambitious in our approach,” said assistant coach Andy Titterrell.
This match will also provide an opportunity for several young talents to gain valuable game time, with Tubuna Maka, Oscar Beckerleg, and Joe Davis all in line to earn their first cap from the bench.
For Italy, the challenge will be to disrupt England’s dominance as much as possible, with Edoardo Todaro, who plays his club rugby at the Northampton Saints Academy, set to play a crucial role in midfield. Given England’s superiority in the tournament so far, the coaching staff has opted to rest several key players, including Kepu Tuipulotu, Henry Pollock, and Ben Coen, the side’s regular goal-kicker.
Team Line-ups
England U20
15. George Pearson (Leicester Tigers)
14. Jack Bracken (Saracens)
13. Angus Hall (Saracens)
12. Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs)
10. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins)
9. Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)
1. Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints)
2. Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs)
3. Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks)
4. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens)
5. Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks)
6. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92)
7. George Timmins (Bath Rugby)
8. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs)
Replacements: Kepu Tuipulotu, Ralph McEachran, Tubuna Maka, Oscar Beckerleg, Connor Treacey, Joe Davis, Ollie Davies, Jack Kinder.
Italy U20
15. Roberto Fasti (Rugby Casale)
14. Alessandro Drago (Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
13. Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints Academy)
12. Jules Ducros (Montpellier Hérault Rugby)
11. Malik Faissal (Rugby Parma FC 1931)
10. Pietro Celi (Livorno Rugby)
9. Matteo Bellotto (Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
1. Sergio Pelliccioli (Rugby Petrarca)
2. Nicolò Michele Corvasce (SS Lazio Rugby 1927)
3. Bruno Vallesi (Rugby Viadana 1970)
4. Mattia Midena (Rugby Paese)
5. Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi (Bath Rugby Academy)
6. Carlo Antonio Bianchi (Unione Rugby Firenze)
7. Nelson Casartelli (Rugby Paese)
8. Giacomo Milano (c) (Rugby Noceto FC)
Replacements: Giacomo Casiraghi, Gioele Boccato, Nicola Bolognini, Pietro Melegari, Simone Fardin, Tommaso Redondi, Niccolò Beni, Federico Zanandrea.
