England U20s Squad for 2013/14

Forwards
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)
Jonny Hill (Gloucester Rugby)
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Gus Jones (London Wasps)
Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby)
Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks)
Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)


Backs
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)
Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Jordan Burns (Harlequins)
George Catchpole (Leicester Tigers)
Nathan Earle (Saracens)
Louis Grimoldby (Harlequins)
Zach Kibirige (Newcastle Falcons)
Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

11 players already capped at U20 level, and a few were in last seasons U18 squad. Not sure many will see AP action this season, but time will tell.


From a purely parochial level, I am pleased to see that the Leicester Academy has been able to supply a few more players to the national cause this season.

10 of the 12 Premiership clubs are represented (not LI or Worcester) and two championship sides.

some real pace in the backline from the returning Purdy and Watson, but perhaps even more so for Kibirige who steps up from the U18s. I really hope we see some of him in a Falcons shirt this season.

How many years has Watson been with the U20? He started when he was 17 or 18 didn't he?

Ah, the great Maro Itoje. He was one of Lancaster's players to watch during his interview wasn't he?

but perhaps even more so for Kibirige who steps up from the U18s. I really hope we see some of him in a Falcons shirt this season..

He actually played in a good few games last season...and pretty much scored every game he did play in. What a prospect he is...very quick. Be interesting to see how he goes.
I expect him to get a few runs out this season for us...

HammerofThunor wrote:How many years has Watson been with the U20? He started when he was 17 or 18 didn't he?

Ah, the great Maro Itoje. He was one of Lancaster's players to watch during his interview wasn't he?

I'm actually really looking forward to seeing him play, I have heard so much about him but literally seen nothing!

I've heard a bit of buzz about Stu Townsend too, someone I was talking to reckons he is the best scrum half to come through the age grades since Ben Youngs. He will be worth watching if it is true.

Aside from the previously capped names in the squad, there are quite a few names that I do not recognise in that lot.

Nice write up about newcomer Jonny Hill:

http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Jonny-Hill-big-hit-Hartpury-production-line/story-19444730-detail/story.html

Aged 19 and 6ft 8in,  what are they putting in the water down Gloucester way?!?

Big shoes to follow after the success of the last bunch.

Scotty Wilson should be ripping it up this year with the amount of game time he's received at Falcons, great to see Kibridge in a year early too.

Yeah nice to see all the squads are looking at the young local lads...rather than average joe foreign journeymen.

I hear a lot of good things about Nick Tompkins.

Don't know what's happened to Maro Itoje. Haven't heard much about him recently at Saracens.

Maybe thats a good thing. Just let him get on without any expectations...not getting a bloated head.

We have loads of Second Rows...and even plenty of youngsters coming through...

Aye, it's great to see. I think practically every squad in the premiership has a young player that you could look out for on a match day. It helps draw in the casual observer. For instance, if I see Wasps are playing Wade and Daly it will encourage me to ignore the nagging from my other half and tune in.

beshocked wrote:
Don't know what's happened to Maro Itoje. Haven't heard much about him recently at Saracens.

Probably because he was still in the 6th form at Harrow last year. They will have wanted their pound of flesh so I doubt he would have been seen much atthe Sarries training ground.

If Jordan Burns' defence and game management can improve with age, he's one to watch. Blistering pace and attacking ability, Burns and Burns at 9 and 10 would be some duo in attack!

Will Jordan Burns settle at scrum half? I might be mixing up my players, but he has played in the back three as well hasn't he?

LondonTiger wrote:

beshocked wrote:
Don't know what's happened to Maro Itoje. Haven't heard much about him recently at Saracens.

Probably because he was still in the 6th form at Harrow last year. They will have wanted their pound of flesh so I doubt he would have been seen much atthe Sarries training ground.

He's the only member of the Saracens academy I haven't heard about/seen around the squad which is surprising. Quite a few of the academy boys have been involved in the 7s or warm up matches. Also some of them got wheeled out for the pre-season dinner. Not Maro Itoje though.

Maybe as you say it's because he's younger than the other guys.

Cumbrian wrote:Will Jordan Burns settle at scrum half?  I might be mixing up my players,  but he has played in the back three as well hasn't he?

He started there. We moved him to 9 as the competition at that age at wing was very high and he has been adapting

Nice to see a few more Quins boys, 4 is quite a lot for us compared to recent seasons.

Watch out for Grimboldy he's a quality all round 10

I think it's great that Grimoldby is in this squad - believe he's still only 17, so could gain a lot of experience. Looks tiny compared to the senior players when he turns out for Quins in the 7s but I've been impressed by his reading and running of the game and his kicking. Brave in defence for a lad of his size, too. Passing can be slow on occasion but looks like a good prospect.

Didn't realise he was 17! I would be kacking it going up against some of the monsters you meet in the U20's at that age. Who are the other 10's in that squad then?

Billy Burns is one

Freddie Burns brother right?

Yep, think he's played a couple of matches for Glaws at AP level off the bench too

Yea I did think I recognised him

Good to see Harry Thacker in there at hooker. His dad Troy was a hooker for Tigers and had his career cut short through injury. Young Harry originally played 10 but switched to hooker in the Tigers academy. Played for Tigers on the sevens, made his debut at barely 17 off the bench in the LV win at the Stoop a year or so back and scored in the LV against Sarries last year (off the bench). Seems to have scored quite a few tries for the academy team but is fairly diminutive, 12 and a half stone I was told when he made his debut. I imagine he's beefed up since then and he's highly rated at Tigers.

Catchpole is dual registered at Notts and is quite pacey.