Relton to start against Scotland

By Mark Stevens
25/6/21

Exeter Chiefs youngster Arthur Relton has again been named in the England Under-20s side to play Scotland tonight.

Relton, who scored on his debut against France last weekend, lines-ip in an unchanged back division. In the forwards, there are four changes. Emeka Ilione makes his first start from blind-side flanker as do Phil Brantingham at loose-head prop and Sam Riley at hooker. Harvey Kindell-Beaton completes the front row at tighthead.

There are five changes among the replacements. Hooker John Stewart, loose-head prop Tarek Haffar, back row Harry Taylor, plus backs Raffi Quirke and Charlie Atkinson also could make their debuts.

Keen to build on his side's 38-22 against France, England head coach Alan Dickens said: “It’s been a good week preparing for Friday’s match and the players have recovered well after a physical game against France last weekend.

“We’ve made a few changes in the forwards for this match. I was impressed with the impact that those four players had when they came on last week and wanted to give them starts this time out.

“We were fortunate to have a couple of training matches against Scotland in Newcastle a few weeks ago which was really helpful and we know they will pose a challenge. But it’s also about focusing on ourselves and ensuring we are ready to play what’s in front of us.

“The players are coming together well as a group. We had 12 U20 debutants in the starting line up for the last match, but I was very impressed with the way they handled themselves particularly coming back from 19-3 down. The players worked out where they needed to tactically adapt and they did it. We know that will again be important when we play Scotland.”

Due to Covid-19 regulations teams are permitted to name a squad of 26 players for each fixture in this year’s competition. Teams can use eight of the 11 replacements named in a squad during the match.

England U20 starting XV

15 Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby)
14 Deago Bailey (Bristol Rugby)
13 Jack Bates (Bristol Rugby)
12 Dan Lancaster (Leeds Tykes)
11 Arthur Relton (Exeter Chiefs)
10 Fin Smith (Worcester Warriors)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, capt)
1 Phil Brantingham (Newcastle Falcons)
2 Sam Riley (Harlequins)
3 Harvey Kindell-Beaton (Saracens)
4 Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby)
5 Alex Groves (Bristol Bears)
6 Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers)
7 Lucas Brooke (London Irish)
8 Jack Clement (Gloucester Rugby)

Replacements

16 John Stewart (Bath Rugby)
17 Tarek Haffar (London Irish)
18 Luke Green (London Irish)
19 Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Harry Taylor (Gloucester Rugby)
21 Nahum Merigan (Bath Rugby)
22 Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)
23 Tommy Mathews (unattached)
24 Phil Cokanasiga (London Irish)
25 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints)
26 Charlie Atkinson (Wasps)