Chiefs trio get U20s call-up

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs trio Jack Innard, Sam Skinner and Stuart Townsend have today all been named in the England Under-20s squad squad for the upcoming season.

The 32-man group, which will be coached by Jon Callard, Ian Peel and Simon Hardy, will compete in the Under 20 Six Nations championship in the New Year – kicking off against Wales – before heading to Italy to defend their IRB Junior World Championship trophy next June.

Scrum-half Townsend is one of eight players previously capped at this level, while another 11 members of the squad represented England at Under-18 level on their recent summer tour to South Africa.

It is, however, a first-ever international call-up for hooker Innard and back-row ace Skinner, both of whom have impressed this season in Exeter's A League campaign.

Jon Callard said: “It’s an exciting time to be involved with English rugby and we are all looking forward to working with the players in the squad. We have a good blend of guys with experience from last season and new talent emerging from across the player pathway.

“There is always huge competition at this age grade and with a lot of players getting first team rugby at their clubs it’s tough to narrow that down to a group of 32. We expect players to continue to push for inclusion.

“The work that the regional academies do is outstanding and with the partnership we have established with them, the development process will go from strength to strength. This programme is now producing tough competition for places, and this is great for English rugby."

Since the formation of the England U20s side in 2007 – replacing the England U21 team – they have an impressive seven-year record.

In 70 matches played, the squad have won 56 and lost just 14 – a win percentage of 80. The U20s have won four Six Nations titles (2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and two Junior World Championship titles (2013, 2014). There have been 22 Under 20 graduates capped at Test level – with Harlequins hooker Joe Gray the most recent.

Forwards

Seb Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins)
Joe Batley (Gloucester Rugby)
Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers)
Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
James Chisholm (Harlequins)*
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)*
Jake Farnworth (Leicester Tigers)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby)
Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie)*
Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)
Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks)
Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs)
Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins)
Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)*
Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs

Max Clark (Bath Rugby)
Lloyd Evans (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Fowlie (London Irish)
Tom Griffiths (Saracens)
Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby)
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)
James Mitchell (Sale Sharks)
Aaron Morris (Saracens)*
Piers O'Conor (Wasps)
Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)*
George Perkins (Saracens)
Taylor Prell (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)*
Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)

* denotes 2014 JWC winner

England Under 20 Six Nations fixtures

Saturday, February 7 - Wales U20 v England U20 (Colwyn Bay, kick-off TBC)

Friday, February 13 - England U20 v Italy U20 (Brickfields, Plymouth 7.45pm)

Friday, February 27 - Ireland U20 v England U20 (Venue and kick-off TBC)

Friday, March 13 - England U20 v Scotland U20 (Darlington Mowden Park, 5.30pm)

Friday, March 20 - England U20 v France U20 (Brighton American Express Community Stadium, 7.55pm)