England U20 Squad for JWC (Team to face S.A pg 2)

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/april/news-articles/260413_eng_20s_jwc_squad#

England Under 20 coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel have named their 28-man squad ahead of their IRB Junior World Championship campaign in France, which kicks off with a game against their French hosts on June 5.

The squad contains players with a huge amount of Aviva Premiership, A-League and RFU Championship experience, and Head Coach Walshe is pleased with the players at his disposal as they look to move on from last season’s seventh-place finish.

Eight members of the squad played in last year’s competition while the likes of Jack Nowell, Ben Howard, Jack Clifford, Ollie Devoto and Henry Slade have all played Aviva Premiership rugby over recent weeks.

Walshe said: “We enjoyed a good Six Nations and on the back of that, competition for places has been high and some good players have missed out. However, we’re very pleased with the 28 selected. The games come thick and fast in this tournament, we’ve got a very tough group but we’re excited by that challenge.”

After France, Six Nations winners England face title-holders South Africa before coming up against USA, who are competing in the JWC for the first time in five years.

Walshe added: “All our attention is on that first game against the French, we did well against them in the Six Nations but this will be a totally different game. It’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Forwards
Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)*
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)*
Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)*
Matt Hankin (Saracens)
Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)*
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
Nathan Morris (London Wasps)*
Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)
David Sisi (London Irish)*
Tom Smallbone (London Irish)
Scott Spurling (Saracens)
Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)
Alex Day (Northampton Saints)
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)*
Will Hooley (Northampton Saints)
Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)
Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)*
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
Anthony Watson (London Irish)

Kyle Sinckler must be injured, otherwise his omission would be extremely surprising.
Fowles and Arnott may consider themselves unlucky not to be included (not sure how Arnott's injury recovery has gone, though).

No surprise that George Ford isn't included, having not been involved all season.

Is Ford is underage?!

Yeah Ford could still play for the U20's.

Kyle Sinckler is an interesting one, could he possibly be going to Argentina? Unlikely I'll admit, but I've heard of stranger things.

profitius wrote:Is Ford is underage?!

Anyone 19 or younger on 31/8/12 qualifies. Ford turned 20 last month. Elliot Daly is another who could have been selected, I think

Interesting

Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)

Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)

Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)*
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)*
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)*

Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)

Jack Clifford (Harlequins)*
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)

Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)*

Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers)

David Sisi (London Irish)*
Tom Smallbone (London Irish)
Anthony Watson (London Irish)

Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)*
Nathan Morris (London Wasps)*

Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
Alex Day (Northampton Saints)
Will Hooley (Northampton Saints)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)

Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks)

Scott Spurling (Saracens)
Matt Hankin (Saracens)

Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)

(* Played in 2012 IRB Junior World Championship)

The geographical spread of the squad hopefully demonstrates the supporting strength of the English academy structure.

Particular kudos will go to Exeter, Irish and the Saints of course, but more should be expected from England after a poor showing last year:

FINAL STANDINGS (2012)
1 South Africa
2 New Zealand
3 Wales
4 Argentina
5 Ireland
6 France
7 England
8 Australia
9 Scotland
10 Samoa
11 Fiji
12 Italy (Relegated to IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2013) Replaced by USA

FINAL STANDINGS (2011)
1 New Zealand
2 England
3 Australia
4 France
5 South Africa
6 Fiji
7 Wales
8 Ireland
9 Argentina
10 Scotland
11 Italy
12 Tonga (Relegated to IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012)

http://www.irb.com/jwc/index.html

It is an outstanding effort by Exeter, they've got four in the U18's squad too.

A bit disappointed by the output from the northern clubs this time. Three is not a great figure considering how many used to come through Falcons. The U18's/U19's is a bit better though.

Agreed Cumbrian. Although it's likely that the spread of raw, native talent is likely to be distributed somewhat randomly over time.

But I agree Exeter is without doubt the in-form academy.

A point I obliquely alluded to in the DOR of the year thread - where I make Baxter the winner on the basis of the need for sound underpinning organisation and administration.

That's a tougher group for England, but I think they'll be in the final 4 along with NZ, SA and Wales. Barrow, Sisi, Clifford, Well, Cowan-dickie are some forwards who I think have a future in RU.

Worth pointing out that Exeter have strong links with the age groups and so the coaches are probably more familiar with their players and would go for them on 50/50 calls.

I think he is still U18s but thought Zach Kilbride of the Falcons may have featured.

Assuming that the forwards can secure quick ball, the backline this squad could be worth a watch. The back three could be deadly;

11. AN Other
14. Jack Nowell
15. Anthony Watson

yappysnap wrote:Worth pointing out that Exeter have strong links with the age groups and so the coaches are probably more familiar with their players and would go for them on 50/50 calls.

I'm not sure that there are such strong links. Rob Hunter is now Exe's forwards coach, but is no longer involved with U20's and before that the only connection was that he and Ali Hepher (Exe's ass't/backs coach) started coaching together at Saints. I don't know of any particulat links at 18's or 16's?

I'm sure Exe will be hoping that Hunter will help to recruit some of his former charges, but Bath seem to have stolen a march on that front.

Fullback is an interesting selection. Devoto played there in 6N's and for Bath, but is he the backup 10 as well? Until halfway through this season, Nowell was a specialist fullback. Watson played there in last year's 6N's and could be devestating coming into the line and with loose kicks. Slade's come off the bench there for Albion. Did Howard play 15 as well?

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Worth pointing out that Exeter have strong links with the age groups and so the coaches are probably more familiar with their players and would go for them on 50/50 calls.

I'm not sure that there are such strong links. Rob Hunter is now Exe's forwards coach, but is no longer involved with U20's and before that the only connection was that he and Ali Hepher (Exe's ass't/backs coach) started coaching together at Saints. I don't know of any particulat links at 18's or 16's?

I'm sure Exe will be hoping that Hunter will help to recruit some of his former charges, but Bath seem to have stolen a march on that front.

Fullback is an interesting selection. Devoto played there in 6N's and for Bath, but is he the backup 10 as well? Until halfway through this season, Nowell was a specialist fullback. Watson played there in last year's 6N's and could be devestating coming into the line and with loose kicks. Slade's come off the bench there for Albion. Did Howard play 15 as well?

I might have been completely wrong but I thought Hunter was connected with you boys before he got the forwards role? And I kind of assumed there was some link as you sometimes average 10+ players in the age group squads which is a heck of a lot. Didn't you almost make up the whole Eng age grade team for a match one time?

I'm open to correction, but I'm pretty sure that Hunter had no links down this way.
I think it was the 18's tour to Oz, when Exe had Slade, Hill, Sam Jones, Arnott and Nowell in the backs, plus the scrummie whose name* escapes me who Exe had just recruited from Irish (now with England 7's), and LCD in the pack. Nearly the full set of backs, but not the whole team.

I think Devon and Cornwall have always produced plenty of youngsters, but until the SW Regional Academy was assigned to Chiefs, many went upcountry to Bath, Bris or Glos (like Koree Britton), or were overlooked and stuck at lower levels (like Jack Yeandle) or drifted into social rugby (like Matt Hopper). Chiefs are now the focus for young players, and Pirates and Albion, plus Redruth, Taunton, Lanson and others, help give them good experience.

*James Lightfoot-Brown/

http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/managers/robhunter

Can't see any link to Exeter there. Strangely I actually thought that while at the RFU he had been involved with Quins academy.

I'd assume Sinkler is either injured or rested. If the same isn't true for Fowles then he's been incredibly unlucky, as I think he's the best age-group SH since Youngs.

Devoto doesn't have the pace to play FB at the highest level, so I hope he's there as a FH.

And Newcastle's academy seems to have been struggling for a while - I thought I read somewhere that the RFU had threatened to withdraw their funding if they didn't up their game? Even now producing one or two outstanding individuals like Wilson and Kilbride could be down to more luck than judgement.

At the other end of the scale Exeter had an amazing group which is progressing well through the age-groups. Slade is a class act, as is Nowell, and it's hard to imagine LCD not having an excellent career (but hopefully the new coaching set up will stop the ridiculous messing about and have a matchday squad with 4 props and 2 hookers, with LCD being clearly identified as one or the other).

Purdy in for Jennings:

Jennings injured

This may mean more game-time for the very talented Stephenson. Alternatively, I'd like to see Watson given a few starts at OC.

England's first game tomorrow against France (it is on Sky at about 5:45), so I am guessing the team sheet should be up pretty soon. They are going to need to hit the ground running because it is a bugger of a group. The French may seem like no great shakes (England thumped them in the U20 Six Nations), but they are hosts and I expect them to be a different animal altogether.

Cumbrian wrote:England's first game tomorrow against France (it is on Sky at about 5:45), so I am guessing the team sheet should be up pretty soon. They are going to need to hit the ground running because it is a bugger of a group. The French may seem like no great shakes (England thumped them in the U20 Six Nations), but they are hosts and I expect them to be a different animal altogether.

It'll probably be a closer game than the 6 nations but it would have to be a massive imporvement for France if they're to win it.

profitius wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:England's first game tomorrow against France (it is on Sky at about 5:45), so I am guessing the team sheet should be up pretty soon. They are going to need to hit the ground running because it is a bugger of a group. The French may seem like no great shakes (England thumped them in the U20 Six Nations), but they are hosts and I expect them to be a different animal altogether.

It'll probably be a closer game than the 6 nations but it would have to be a massive imporvement for France if they're to win it.

I'd be surprised if France managed that type of performance, France were young last 6N but England havn't lost many players at all. France will be awkward customers at home though.

SA are always tough, but they don't have the same quality in this squad as they did last time out, England should fancy that game too.

I would be very wary of USA too, they won the trophy last time out and I'm hearing some really positive things coming out of their camp, there are some real athletes amongst this group that are testing off the charts, alas they will have little out wide though, and should be overcome.

1 key issue here is that I don't see 2nd spot coming from this group, so England have to win it and win it well to avoid NZ

thebluesmancometh wrote:

profitius wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:England's first game tomorrow against France (it is on Sky at about 5:45), so I am guessing the team sheet should be up pretty soon. They are going to need to hit the ground running because it is a bugger of a group. The French may seem like no great shakes (England thumped them in the U20 Six Nations), but they are hosts and I expect them to be a different animal altogether.

It'll probably be a closer game than the 6 nations but it would have to be a massive imporvement for France if they're to win it.

I'd be surprised if France managed that type of performance, France were young last 6N but England havn't lost many players at all. France will be awkward customers at home though.

SA are always tough, but they don't have the same quality in this squad as they did last time out, England should fancy that game too.

I would be very wary of USA too, they won the trophy last time out and I'm hearing some really positive things coming out of their camp, there are some real athletes amongst this group that are testing off the charts, alas they will have little out wide though, and should be overcome.

1 key issue here is that I don't see 2nd spot coming from this group, so England have to win it and win it well to avoid NZ

Probably got to play them at some point if you want to win the thing, I'll be happy if we get the chance.

Cumbrian wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:

profitius wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:England's first game tomorrow against France (it is on Sky at about 5:45), so I am guessing the team sheet should be up pretty soon. They are going to need to hit the ground running because it is a bugger of a group. The French may seem like no great shakes (England thumped them in the U20 Six Nations), but they are hosts and I expect them to be a different animal altogether.

It'll probably be a closer game than the 6 nations but it would have to be a massive imporvement for France if they're to win it.

I'd be surprised if France managed that type of performance, France were young last 6N but England havn't lost many players at all. France will be awkward customers at home though.

SA are always tough, but they don't have the same quality in this squad as they did last time out, England should fancy that game too.

I would be very wary of USA too, they won the trophy last time out and I'm hearing some really positive things coming out of their camp, there are some real athletes amongst this group that are testing off the charts, alas they will have little out wide though, and should be overcome.

1 key issue here is that I don't see 2nd spot coming from this group, so England have to win it and win it well to avoid NZ

Probably got to play them at some point if you want to win the thing, I'll be happy if we get the chance.

I see what you mean, but NZ would be a different animal in the final from the semi, after being beaten twice last year I think they'll be nervous, and get more nervous as the tourny goes on.

England are very strong though (very impressed v Wales last up I thought we were playing well and had a chance) and I would fancy them running anyone close, don't know much about this kiwi team though, except for Juliens bro!

I think its fair to say many academies are flying and many are struggling.

I've praised Exeter constantly...it is massively impressive what they are doing...and can only benefit them, their region and English rugby.

As for us...well yes its stuttered for a while...is that reflective of previous management...who knows...but there are a few on the horizon who could be useful...and hopefully we can start bringing them through again...

The hosts France, playing their big rival in their home country... Could be a totally different France to the one you faced in Feb.

Here's the Team:

15 Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
13 Harry Sloane (Harlequins)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)
10 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)

1 Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
3 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
4 Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)
5 Dominic Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)
6 David Sisi (Bath Rugby)
7 Matt Hankin (Saracens)
8 Jack Clifford (Harlequins) (c)

Replacements:

16 Nathan Morris (London Wasps)
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
18 Tom Smallbone (London Irish)
19 Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)
20 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
21 Alex Day (Northampton Saints)
22 Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)

Someone called Harry Sloane had to play for Harlequins didnt he!

Can't say I know much about Ben Howard, I would have thought Nowell would have got the nod over him for the big games?

The only thing I really know about Ben Howard is that he seems massive for an age grade winger, (6ft 5in and 15 stone). He didn't really stand out for me during the Junior Six Nations. Mind you that was a while ago now.

Jack Nowell probably isn't starting because everybody in the squad has to get a game during the tournament and he is making room for changes elsewhere.

Thats a huge powerful, yet mobile pack...

Who is the back-up 10 in that lineup?

Devoto?

A Moriarty overlooked for a Sisi? He brings shame to his family name!

That certainly is a very strong looking pack and great to see Stooke in the mix. He is Glaws' great white hope for the boiler room. His stats listed from when he was 18 was 6'6" and 17st13, so a year on you'd expect him to be pushing the 18st mark.

I'm still very unsure about Cowan-Dickie. It is clear the guy is immensely talented and for a prop/hooker he can do some pretty unnatural things, but I've not been blown away by his scrummaging. He also needs to have his haircut!

HongKongCherry wrote:That certainly is a very strong looking pack and great to see Stooke in the mix. He is Glaws' great white hope for the boiler room. His stats listed from when he was 18 was 6'6" and 17st13, so a year on you'd expect him to be pushing the 18st mark.

surely he was only a light lunch away from 18st last year?

HKC, the RFU website states he is 18st 5lb now, imagine what he is going to be in 2-3 years time?!?

Yeah Devoto will be the backup ten.

Good singer Ben Howard

Cumbrian wrote:HKC, the RFU website states he is 18st 5lb now, imagine what he is going to be in 2-3 years time?!?

He must be on the Cider and Old Spot diet

Hows his lineout abilities?

I could be wrong, but I wouldn't think the lineout is going to be his main focus, no... I believe his main focus will be clubbing people and eating their bones.

HongKongCherry wrote:A Moriarty overlooked for a Sisi? He brings shame to his family name!

That certainly is a very strong looking pack and great to see Stooke in the mix. He is Glaws' great white hope for the boiler room. His stats listed from when he was 18 was 6'6" and 17st13, so a year on you'd expect him to be pushing the 18st mark.

I'm still very unsure about Cowan-Dickie. It is clear the guy is immensely talented and for a prop/hooker he can do some pretty unnatural things, but I've not been blown away by his scrummaging. He also needs to have his haircut!

He has had a haircut, sort of, if you include shaving the sides and bleaching. He tweeted a pic recently

https://twitter.com/1_Dickie/status/340378749218463744

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:
https://twitter.com/1_Dickie/status/340378749218463744

I do not believe I will ever recover. NSFW.


Also I take back everything I ever said about Marler, Care & Madigan.

Makes him look German

Well credit to the new management team for picking one hooker and two props in the starting line up and having the same on the bench. It may seem basic, but it was apparently beyond Rob Hunter.

I'm not sure about Devoto at FB - he's a decent prospect but I haven't seen evidence he's got the pace to reach international standard at that level. Still the JWC has strange rules so it's difficult to be too critical of any selection at this stage.

DaveM wrote:Well credit to the new management team for picking one hooker and two props in the starting line up and having the same on the bench. It may seem basic, but it was apparently beyond Rob Hunter.

I'm not sure about Devoto at FB - he's a decent prospect but I haven't seen evidence he's got the pace to reach international standard at that level. Still the JWC has strange rules so it's difficult to be too critical of any selection at this stage.

Isn't Luke C-D really a prop too, Dave?

Yes Luke C-D does play prop aswell - now that is versatility!

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:A Moriarty overlooked for a Sisi? He brings shame to his family name!

That certainly is a very strong looking pack and great to see Stooke in the mix. He is Glaws' great white hope for the boiler room. His stats listed from when he was 18 was 6'6" and 17st13, so a year on you'd expect him to be pushing the 18st mark.

I'm still very unsure about Cowan-Dickie. It is clear the guy is immensely talented and for a prop/hooker he can do some pretty unnatural things, but I've not been blown away by his scrummaging. He also needs to have his haircut!

He has had a haircut, sort of, if you include shaving the sides and bleaching. He tweeted a pic recently

https://twitter.com/1_Dickie/status/340378749218463744

Just wow.

Thats so bad its almost good...

French u20 team for Engerland

15 Thomas
14 Lacroix 13 Vialelle 12 Regard 11 Parez
10 Selponi 9 Serin
8 Babillot 7 Placines 6 Camara
5 Singer 4 Jedrasiak
3 Vartanov 2 Tolofua 1 Baille.

subs: Valette, Ruffenach, Ishcheno, Bastien, Cros, Duhalde, Mallet, Dussartre.



although most of them belong to T14 teams they dont get a lot of game time (well appart from the Amlin development Cup).
The ones you might have heard are Tolofua (Toulouse hooker) and Thomas (fb that plays wing for biarritz, scored a couple of tries againts Glaws).
The ones to watch are Jedriasak (Clermont 2nd row) and Babillot (Castres back rower).

I dont have much hope given how lightweight french players are compared to the English and South Africans.
Understand they had a good preparation together so that might have a positive impact. Always look forward to U20 games though as they tend to have some good moves.

Lightweight? Tell that to Tolofua... Your captain looks like a big guy too, is he a 2nd row?

French pack:

1. Cyril Baille: 6ft & 17st 11lb
2. Christopher Tolofua: 6ft 0in & 18st 5lb
3. Khatchick Vartanov: 6ft & 17st 8lb
4. Paul Jedrasiak: 6ft 7in & 16st 7lb
5. Jean Baptiste Singer: 6ft 7in & 18st 3lb
6. Yacouba Camara: 6ft 4in & 15st 6lb
7. Alban Placine: 6ft 2in & 16st 5lb
8. Mathieu Babillot: 6ft 3in & 16st 9lb


Wouldn't say they are lightweight, but they are giving away poundage to the English lads.

A bit of imprecision at the moment, but the phase ball England got at the start was promising.

Slade has 'missed' 2 penalties. Need to convert this territory and possession into points.

3rd time lucky