England U20s kick off their campaign in the Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series today with South Africa up first.
England men’s U20 head coach Alan Dickens/ has named his team with two uncapped players make the starting XV - Tumy Onasanya at loosehead prop and Jevaughn Warren at tighthead prop.
Five times capped, John Stewart of Bath, completes the front row as hooker.
Bath's Ewan Richards, the most capped player in the side, and Leicester's Lewis Chessum make up the second row. Chander Cunningham-South, blindside flanker, captain Emeka Ilione, openside flanker, with Greg Fisilau at number 8 completes the back row.
Making up the backs are George Hendy at full-back, Tom Litchfield at right wing with Iwan Stephens on the left, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White plays at inside centre with Ethan Grayson on the outside. Fin Smith plays fly-half with Tom Carr-Smith as scrum-half.
Bristol Bears' prop Andrew Turner has been named on the bench but there is no place in the squad for lock Charlie Rice.
Here are all the ways you can follow the action...
What time is kick-off?
The game takes place at the Payanini Centre, Verona, at 4pm BST on Friday 24 June.
Is the game on TV?
Every game of the Under 20 Summer Series will be streamed live and for via the Six Nations Rugby U20 YouTube channel.
What's the team news?
England U20s:
15. George Hendy, Northampton Saints, Caps 3
14. Tom Litchfield, Northampton Saints, Caps 5
13. Ethan Grayson, Northampton Saints, Caps 5
12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Wasps, Caps 1
11. Iwan Stephens, Newcastle Falcons, Caps 1
10. Fin Smith, Worcester Warriors, Caps 5
9. Tom Carr-Smith, Bath Rugby, Caps 3
1. Tumy Onasanya, Sale Sharks, Caps 0
2. John Stewart, Bath Rugby, Caps 5
3. Jevaughn Warren, Saracens, Caps 0
4. Ewan Richards, Bath Rugby, Caps 7
5. Lewis Chessum, Leicester Tigers, Caps 3
6. Chandler Cunningham-South, London Irish, Caps 3
7. Emeka Ilione, Leicester Tigers, Caps 6, Captain
8. Greg Fisilau, Wasps, Caps 2
Replacements:
16. Finn Theobald-Thomas, Worcester, Caps 2
17. Andrew Turner, Bristol Bears, Caps 0
18. Mikey Summerfield, London Irish, Caps 5
19. Tom Lockett, Northampton Saints, Caps 4
20. Lucas Brooke, London Irish, Caps 4
21. Ethan Staddon, Bath Rugby, Caps 0
22. Toby Knight, Saracens, Caps 5
23. Charlie Bracken, Saracens, Caps 0
24. Jed Walsh, Leicester Tigers, Caps 0
25. Conor Oresanya, Harlequins, Caps 0
26. Tobi Wilson, Worcester Warriors, Caps 0
Junior Springboks
15 Duran Koevort (DHL WP)
14 Donovan Don (Down Touch Griffons)
13 Ethan James (DHL WP)
12 Carlton Banies (Vodacom Bulls)
11 Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP)
10 Sacha Mngomezulu (captain, DHL WP)
9 Nico Steyn (Lions)
8 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
7 Ruan Venter (Lions)
6 Siya Ningiza (Cell C Sharks)
5 Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls)
4 Connor Evans (DHL WP)
3 Corne Weilbach (DHL WP)
2 Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL WP)
1 Lamla Nunu (DHL WP)
Replacements:
16 Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Bulls)
17 Juann Else (Vodacom Bulls)
18 Sebastian Lombard (Vodacom Bulls)
19 Corne Rahl (Cell C Sharks)
20 Louw Nel (DHL WP)
21 Imad Khan (DHL WP)
22 Compion von Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls)
23 Latica Nela (SA Rugby Sevens contracted)
24 Merwe Olivier (Vodacom Bulls)
25 Paul de Villiers (DHL WP)
26 Gcino Mdletshe (Vodacom Bulls)
What's been said?
England men’s U20 head coach Alan Dickens:
“The team is excited to play against South Africa although they are a little bit of an unknown as they haven’t played any games this year at an international level.
“The opportunities for this group to learn and develop over this series are immense and I’m as excited about the players having meaningful game time as I am the final result.”
Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko:
“Two years ago, there was no schools and age-group rugby and last year we played in a strictly controlled environment in our home-based international series because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now we have a group of players that will sing the national anthem before playing for their country, for the first time. Exposure to international rugby is a great step up in their development and their future rugby pathway.
“That’s the exciting part and these guys have started on a great journey, but we are under no illusion as to what tough battles await us over the next three weeks, starting with England.
“I believe we are well prepared, but Friday's match will demand a huge effort because we are competing against teams that are used to playing at this level on a regular basis. We must back up the positive attitude and energy with a good application of our game principles and fundamentals from the start,” added Nhleko.
What are England's fixtures?
England’s Pool A games
Round 1 – England v South Africa, Friday 24 June, KO 4pm (BST), Payanini Centre, Verona
Round 2 – France v England, Wednesday 29 June, KO 4pm (BST), Payanini Centre, Verona
Round 3 – Ireland v England, Tuesday 5 July, KO 7pm (BST), Payanini Centre, Verona
Playoffs
Tuesday 12 July, KO TBC, Stadio Monigo, Treviso
