Fisilau to start for England Under-20s

By Mark Stevens
1/2/23

Exeter Chiefs youngster Greg Fisilau has been named in England Under-20s starting line-up for their 2023 Under-20 Six Nations campaign opener against Scotland at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday (7pm).

The 19-year-old has been in sensational form for the Chiefs in recent weeks, featuring in both the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup for Rob Baxter's side.

Since arriving at Sandy Park following the demise of former club Wasps, the Plymouth-born back-row ace has featured six times for the Chiefs.

On Friday, he will line-up in a powerful England back-row that also comprises Finn Carduff (Leicester Tigers) and Chandler-Cunningham Souuth (London Irish). Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers) captains the side.

Speaking ahead of the game, England head coach Alan Dickens said: “For all players named, this game will be a very important moment and so they should savour the occasion this Friday evening. Special congratulations should also go to the boys who will get their first England cap.

“We’re looking forward to taking on what I’m sure will be a strong Scotland side at Twickenham Stoop. It’s our first game of the Six Nations in 2023, which is always a bit of an unknown as we're unsure what the opposition will bring, but that also means we can focus on what we’re doing as a team.

“We’ve had a very worthwhile time together in camp, as well as two good games against Oxford University and Loughborough University. The commitment and mindset from the players has so far been nothing short of exceptional and on Friday evening they'll be able to take that hard work into the tournament.”

ENGLAND MEN'S UNDER-20s SIDE TO FACE SCOTLAND UNDER-20s

15. Sam Harris (Bath)
14. Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
13. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
12. Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
11. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester)
10. Monty Bradbury (London Irish)
9. Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
1. Archie McArthur (Gloucester)
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
3. Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers)
4. Danny Eite (Gloucester)
5. Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers, capt)
6. Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
7. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
8. Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)

16. Calum Scott (Londoin Irish)
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
18. Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
19. Robert Carmichael (Leicester Tigers)
20. Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)
21. Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
22. Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)
23. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints)