Conlon starts for England U-20s
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Exeter Chiefs youngster Joel Conlon has been named in the starting line-up for England Under-20s clash with their Irish counterparts at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday (6.15pm).
The talented openside has featured in England's opening two fixtures away to both France and Scotland, but there is sadly no place on this occasion for club-mate Stuart Townsend.
Conlon is one of a number of changes England have made to their starting XV from that which defeated Scotland 48-15 last time out at Galashiels.
Northampton wing Howard Packman comes in for his first start at his home ground, and there are also first starts of the season for IRB Junior World Championship winners Harry Sloan and Scott Wilson. The other changes see Alex Lundberg, Harry Thacker and Conlon all come into the side.
Saturday's encounter in Northampton is a must-win game for Nick Walshe’s side, the reigning Junior World Champions and Six Nations holders having lost one of their two and chasing down unbeaten France and Wales at the head of the table.
Walshe said: “It’s great to have this depth within our squad and we’re pleased to welcome back players with the experience that both Harry and Scott possess. Obviously it’s fantastic for Scott that he’s had recognition from the Saxons already this season, but his job, and our job, is to go out and perform well against Ireland on Saturday.
“The guys have trained well this week and heading back to Franklin’s Gardens is always special. It’s a proper rugby venue, we had a good win against Italy there last season and we’ll be looking to go out there and play as well as we can in front of a good home crowd.”
ENGLAND UNDER-20s TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND
15 Nathan Earle (Saracens)
14 Zach Kibirige (Newcastle Falcons)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
11 Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
10 Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby) (capt)
1 Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
2 Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers)
3 Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
8 James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
18 Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)
19 Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby)
20 Gus Jones (London Wasps)
21 Henry Taylor (Loughborough University)
22 Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
23 Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)