Newman to start England U19s game against France

Exeter Chiefs’ scrum-half George Newman has been selected to start for England U19s to face France U19s on Saturday (KO 14:00).

Centre Ollie Batson and lock Marlon Farouk-Roy will hopefully make their debuts from the bench too as the two men’s pathway sides meet in Yorkshire at the home of Doncaster Knights, Castle Park. The match will be streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.

Leicester Tigers back-row forward George Marsh will lead the U19s this weekend as captain after attaining his first five U20s caps in the recent Six Nations campaign. Marsh will be joined by fellow capped U20s internationals Will Knight, Newman, Tate Williams and Victor Worsnip.

The U19s last ran out against the Japan National High School Team on Saturday, March 21.

Head coach Andy Titterrell said: “We took a huge amount from the Japan game – it challenged our ownership, our ability to adapt under pressure and ultimately reinforced the relentlessness and drive this group is building.

“This weekend is about responding with speed and intent with the privilege of playing at home and showing the belief we have in what this squad can deliver against a strong France side.

“With the Junior World Championship on the horizon, it’s a massive opportunity for individuals to stake their claim, but more importantly for us to continue to move forward together as a men’s pathway with clarity and purpose.”

The match will be streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.

England U19s

15 Ollie Harris (Bristol Bears, Yatton RFC, uncapped)
14 Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove Rugby Club, uncapped)
13 Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Bank of England RFC, 5 caps)
12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 9 caps)
11 Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, Wymondham RFC, uncapped)
10 Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Barkers Butts RFC, uncapped)
9 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap) 
1 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, 5 caps)
2 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 2 caps)
3 Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Winnington Park Rugby Club, uncapped)
4 Freddie Jones (Saracens, Tunbridge Wells RFC, uncapped)
5 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
6 George Marsh (c) (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)
7 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 3 caps)
8 Ediz Karsak (Saracens, Sevenoaks, uncapped)

Replacements:
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
18 Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby, Alcester, 1 cap)
19 George Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
20 Marlon Farouk-Roy (Exeter Chiefs, Bancroft RFC, uncapped) 
21 Isaac Mears (Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby, uncapped)
22 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped) 
23 Charlie Lawson (Leeds Beckett University, Hughton RFC, uncapped)
24 Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
25 George Bolam (Newcastle Red Bulls, Horden & Peterlee and Durham City RFC, uncapped)
26 Matthew Bowler (Bristol Bears, Old Albanians RFC, uncapped)