England U20s - JWC

Fixtures/Results:

England 39 - Argentina 18
Wednesday 30 May


England 43- Italy 5
Sunday 3 June


England 35 Scotland 10
Thursday 7 June


Semi-final - England v South Africa
Narbonne
12 June 18:00


Finals day
Beziers, 17 June



Squad:

Forwards

Josh Basham (London Irish)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)
Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Willis (Wasps)

Backs

Rory Brand (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Ben Loader (London Irish)
Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Parton (London Irish)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Ben White (Leicester Tigers)



Unavailable through injury:
Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)

Unavailable as named in senior squad:
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks)

Good luck to them - looks like a slightly stronger squad than the U20s 6N.

There are a few names that I recognise in there with Prem experience - guys like
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Ben Loader (London Irish)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

All the Tigers boys outside of Heyes the prop have seen LV and a few AP minutes. Unfortunate for Hardwick that Smith has been dropped into the under 20s setup as that pushes him down to third choice 10 and second choice 12. His skillset might not be popular at this level but his big boot, physicality

All the Tigers boys outside of Heyes the prop have seen LV and a few AP minutes. Unfortunate for Hardwick that Smith has been dropped into the under 20s setup as that pushes him down to third choice 10 and second choice 12. His skillset might not be popular at this level but his big boot, physicality and pragmatic playmaking should see him play some more senior rugby next season.

Should be a strong and competitive squad again this year.

Shame to see so few Quins players in there, was a time when we'd have a good half dozen academy lads selected.

Wasn't that when Mapletoft joined us after having several yrs coaching the U20s and elite pathway guys?

yappysnap wrote:Shame to see so few Quins players in there, was a time when we'd have a good half dozen academy lads selected.

I'm just glad Rowntrees lad has joined the Tigers academy not the Quins one would've been a disgrace otherwise.

England U20s
15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
11. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
10. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
1. Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
6. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) – captain
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements:
16. Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)
17. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
19. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
20. Tom Willis (Wasps)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
23. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)

Read more at https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2017-2018/england-u20s-side-to-play-argentina-in-world-rugby-u20-championship-opener/#6bHpP80WY7lKSiaY.99

So keeping a couple of the expected starters in reserve early doors. They'll be plenty of rotation.

I wonder if Olowofela has managed to add tackling and taking the high ball to his list of skills, they've been missing when I've seen him so far. He's quick with good feet though so given the chance he'll score.

Dual playmakers at 10 and 12. Combination utilised in the second half of most of the 6N games this season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:So keeping a couple of the expected starters in reserve early doors. They'll be plenty of rotation.

I wonder if Olowofela has managed to add tackling and taking the high ball to his list of skills, they've been missing when I've seen him so far. He's quick with good feet though so given the chance he'll score.

Dual playmakers at 10 and 12. Combination utilised in the second half of most of the 6N games this season.

The beeb has an article on him. I had not heard much before but I see he has a twin brother on the 7's circuit. I wonder if twins will become a thing for England

Olowofela is good under the high ball in the A league also manged to keep Banners quiet when up against him at 13.

Doesn’t look like this is televised live anywhere. Used to love watching these games when Sky covered the tournament. Why did ITV pick these games up if they weren’t going to show them? They have four channels for crying out loud!

Let’s face it though, they couldn’t possibly move ‘BGT’ repeats or George and flipping Mildred!

I think the games are being streamed live on the World Rugby site

https://www.worldrugby.org/u20/?lang=en

No good for my I’m afraid, visiting my folks in the wilds of Cumbria, my parents struggle to get 1mbps!

Ooops, I meant to say thanks for the advice! Sorry, I'm coming across as a little ignorant...

Also being streamed on the WR Youtube page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiS5ukveHGk

If you miss it live that link should still work later as a VOD.

Cheers.

*touch wood* the stream I am watching is playing okay. That was a bad try to give away.

Why are we unable to produce hookers who can actually throw accurately anymore?

Why does the White keep box kixking when we are in dangerous positions?

I need to watch the match properly, but from the highlights Olowofela is a great runner. He's just got that great ability to send the defenders the wrong way with a little twitch of the hips.

Solid result. I see Wales beat the junior wallabies. Scotland and Ireland....

Fra 26 - 24 Ire
Aus 21 - 26 Wal
NZL 67 - 0 JPN
RSA 33 - 27 GEO
SCO 26 - 27 ITA
ENG 39 - 18 ARG

France blasted Ireland in the second half.

Their full back looks a right class act, and that monster flanker (number 20) who came on in the second half was like a demolition ball...

Leicester Tigers (and hopefully England) have a serious player on their hands in Olowofela!

Just watched the highlights with Olowofela and Curry looking good in the 4mins. I'm not sure how far we are from our strongest XV but decent start with only really NZ looking like major threats from the first round of games.

I wonder who Olowofela will end up playing for when Tigers don't give him any game time

Sgt, the Tigers are just getting him ready as our feeder club, then we'll take him next season or so...when Goneva or Sinoti move on

Both Currys always make me look like they are powerful way beyond their appearance.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Just watched the highlights with Olowofela and Curry looking good in the 4mins. I'm not sure how far we are from our strongest XV but decent start with only really NZ looking like major threats from the first round of games.

I wonder who Olowofela will end up playing for when Tigers don't give him any game time

Don't forget the identical twin. You could always have one each

Just seen the tries he certainly looks promising. Size strength balance pace.

That's not what we want from our wings guys. Can he tackle like a flanker???

yappysnap wrote:That's not what we want from our wings guys. Can he tackle like a flanker???

err no...

Well then he's no use for England!

Still the production line for wingers looks in good shape. In the Argentina game one guy (Crossdale?) went off injured only to be replaced by Ibitoye....

Crossdale seems to have terrible luck with injury. Missed the JWC last year with injury, missed this year's 6n, gets back fit and is injured first game.

Loader also injured for the first game here, but travelled with the squad as is expected to be fit.

lostinwales wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Just watched the highlights with Olowofela and Curry looking good in the 4mins. I'm not sure how far we are from our strongest XV but decent start with only really NZ looking like major threats from the first round of games.

I wonder who Olowofela will end up playing for when Tigers don't give him any game time

Don't forget the identical twin. You could always have one each

Ryan Olowofela is with England 7s and won't move pre Olympics (per a recent interview). Jordan has played LV and AP rugby for Tigers and with two first team wingers leaving and only one arriving this summer would indicate space is being made for him. Would be a novelty to bring through and actually play a winger from our academy, not sure it's happened since Varndell.

That lad looks pretty special mind Sam.

We're doing the same...Radwan and finally Kibirge both taking spots in the senior squad.

its good to see young England backs coming through.

I am still looking for a real top class 12 to come through. Maybe we can work on Williams?

He's looked good in attack when he's played for us. Weak under the high ball particularly when at 15. He's bulked up a bit and his defence has started to come on so hopefully he'll keep developing. He's certainly got the pace and footwork.

I rated Johnny Williams pre injury and Championship, there's certainly plenty of potential there for Falcons to unlock. A canny signing.

On another plus not for Tigers it's good to see we've got a long range kicking option coming through in Hardwick. Monster penalty and he did well playing out if position at 12. I think England looked better when he switched to 10 and Grayson had more time to sling his long passes from 12.

England U20s side to play Italy:

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
11. Ben Loader (London Irish)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Rory Brand (London Irish)
1. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Rugby)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
6. Tom Willis (Wasps Rugby)
7. Ben Curry – captain (Sale Sharks)
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps Rugby)
17. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
19. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)
21. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
22. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
23. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)

Great depth in the backs this year. Grayson not making the bench is perhaps an indicator that his pre tournament hype has dimmed with a fairly average maybe even poor game last time out. That's the midfield I'd expect to see come the knock out stages. Smith looked like he had AP experience off the bench Vs the Pumas.

Really nice flanker combination, hope to see them dominate the breakdown.

Nice try from Smith to get us off the mark. Italy are pretty handy a d edging the scrum so far. Walker the Hooker is struggling with hook and darts currently.

Stream available on worldrugby.org

Beautiful 3rd try made by Smith's break and long pass. Some outstanding handling, Willis has a great offload.

28mins in 21-0

I know this is only the U20's but Smith is some player.

All gone very bitty now. England still making breaks but always making handling errors or giving up penalties. But Italy no threat.

Smith is cruising at this level.

As much as Ibitoye is a dangerous runner, his general rugby skills leave a lot to be desired. Numerous drops and some awful passing, needs to improve.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Smith is cruising at this level.

As much as Ibitoye is a dangerous runner, his general rugby skills leave a lot to be desired. Numerous drops and some awful passing, needs to improve.

His defensive positioning is pretty poor too, unles it is part of the plan for him to come off his wing and go for the big hit.

Silly boy...


EDIT right decision and hope the Italian is OK

Harsh red card, I'd have more sympathy but the block was completely stupid. Who knew you could get red carded for someone falling into your elbow.

We're still a little individual based. Team play very hit and miss.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Harsh red card, I'd have more sympathy but the block was completely stupid. Who knew you could get red carded for someone falling into your elbow.

We're still a little individual based. Team play very hit and miss.

Possibly harsh but not surprising. He didn't have to lead with the elbow.

I know what you mean about the team play but there are some exceptional individuals. Curry, Smith and the wingers are all very dangerous runners and there is some serious beef in the pack

I thought Ibitoye and the centres were poor, as were the starting front row.

lostinwales wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Harsh red card, I'd have more sympathy but the block was completely stupid. Who knew you could get red carded for someone falling into your elbow.

We're still a little individual based. Team play very hit and miss.

Possibly harsh but not surprising. He didn't have to lead with the elbow.

I know what you mean about the team play but there are some exceptional individuals. Curry, Smith and the wingers are all very dangerous runners and there is some serious beef in the pack

I think he meant just to bump him with the top of the arm and block him going past. Completely unnecessary. The player slips though and because he's moved his arm from his body the elbow is out and the player falls straight on to the oncoming elbow. All could have been avoided had he not been so thick but we have seen players let off by refs for "mitigating factors" such as the player falling into the contact alarm Liam Williams Vs Italy in the 6N.

Got to agree LT, the scrum was hit and miss the less said about some of the darts at the lineout the better. I expected considerably more from that centre partnership.

It isn't necessarily a good thing but England could get to the final without fixing any of these problems.

I know SA beat Eng in a recent warm up match, but otherwise it looks like there is NZ as ever and that is pretty much it.

I was really disappointed with Butler, is he seriously the best we have at 12? The boy couldn't catch a cold, he has hands like mars bars.

There is some real talent throughout this team though, will that be enough???