Bailey and James Named in England U20s Side for Round Three

Exeter Chiefs' Joe Bailey and Kane James have both been named in the England U20s side for Round Three of the Under 20 Six Nations.

Mark Mapletoft and Andy Titterrell have selected their matchday 23 for the challenge of Scotland in the third round of the 2024 Under-20 Men’s Six Nations Championship.

The encounter will take place at the Hive Stadium, Edinburgh, on Friday evening (23rd), kicking-off at 19:15 GMT and will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website.

Leicester Tigers’ Finn Carnduff resumes his duties as captain for his country after leading the U20 Men to consecutive victories over Italy and Wales, topping the competition charts in lineout takes (19) and ranking in the top five of defensive ruck arrivals (13) and breakdown steals (3).

Carnduff moves into the second-row to partner Joe Bailey of Exeter Chiefs in the latter’s first Under-20 Men’s Six Nations start, fly-half Josh Bellamy of Harlequins also in line for his novel starting berth at U20 level.

Bellamy’s clubmate Zach Carr starts at number eight after missing out on England’s 28-7 victory over Wales at the Recreation Ground, Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons) retaining the 13 jersey to line up alongside Sean Kerr.

On the replacements bench, Gloucester Rugby tighthead prop Afolabi Fasogbon returns from a spell on the sidelines with Harry Browne and Ben Waghorn also in contention for involvement having also missed out in Round 2.

Mapletoft and Titterrell boast a matchday squad with no uncapped players for the first time in the tournament as the wider Elite Playing Squad’s experience grows into the campaign.

Archie McParland made it a debut to remember with a first-half score in a bonus point, 28-7 Round 2 victory over Richard Whiffin’s Wales, replacements Kane James and George Makepeace-Cubitt also earning their first U20 bows at the Recreation Ground.

Mapletoft’s England sit atop of the competition table after two bonus point victories, also leading the charge in points-per-attacking entries (6.17), offloads (14) and lineout steals (6) as they travel north of the border this Friday.

Scotland, steered by head coach Kenny Murray, are yet to taste victory in this year’s Six Nations outing with reverses at the hands of Wales (37-29) and also France (14-29) in their first home fixture.

England U20 Men’s head coach Mark Mapletoft said: “After a fallow week in the Championship, the boys are raring to go and are determined to continue the strong start we’ve made to this year’s tournament.

“Scotland pose a unique challenge and possess a physical threat at the breakdown and set-piece that will put our capabilities to the test. We can’t wait for what is in store this Friday in Edinburgh.

“An awful lot of work has gone into what England fans have seen on the pitch and we’re thankful for all the support we have received, it’s spurred us as a team on and we urge for more of the same in the forthcoming rounds.”

Tickets are available for England’s remaining home Under-20 Six Nations game against Ireland at the Recreation Ground. Click here to purchase.

England U20:

15 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby)

14 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints)

13 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons)

12 Sean Kerr (Harlequins)

11 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks)

10 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins)

9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)

1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)

2 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints)

3 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby)