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Strong Blues connection for England U20s opener
Two former Junior Blues members have been selected in the England U20s squad for Friday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland U20s, with five players chosen in total having a connection to Bedford’s premier sporting club.
Live on BBC iPlayer, Alan Dickens’ side will be looking to replicate the Grand Slam achieved last year and will be hoping to get off to a strong start in Edinburgh.
There is an all Blue connection in the centres as Ethan Grayson (14 appearances, 1 try) joins Tom Litchfield (11 appearances) while second row forward, Tom Lockett (2 appearances) is also named in the Starting XV.
Among the replacements, George Hendy (1 appearance) completes the quartet of players chosen from our strategic partners, Northampton Saints. Elsewhere, former loanee Robin Hardwick (3 appearances) is also included.
Grayson, Lockett, Hendy and Hardwick will all make their competitive international debuts at this level having featured in a friendly against Oxford University a few weekends ago. Litchfield has two previous caps and featured in last year’s Six Nations competition.
Both Litchfield and Hardwick spent time in the Junior Blues set-up as part of their development within the game.
Speaking ahead of the game, Dickens said: “For many of the players this game will be their first Six Nations experience and that will be a very special moment; I want them to remember that on Friday night and savour the occasion.”
ENGLAND U20s vs SCOTLAND U20s
U20 Six Nations Championship
The Dam Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 8pm
Live on BBC iPlayer
15 Henry Arundell (London Irish, Caps 0)
14 Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears, Caps 3)
13 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints, Caps 2)
12 Ethan Grayson (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
11 Ollie Dawkins (Wasps, Caps 0)
10 Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
9 Tom Carr-Smith (Bath Rugby, Caps 2)
1 Mark Dormer (Newcastle Falcons, Caps 0)
2 John Stewart (Bath Rugby, Caps 1)
3 Mikey Summerfield (London Irish, Caps 0)
4 Alfie Bell (Wasps, Caps 0)
5 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
6 Alex Wardell (Saracens, Caps 0)
7 Kofi Cripps (Wasps, Caps 0)
8 Toby Knight (Saracens, Caps 0) - Captain
Replacements:
16 Jasper Spandler (Bath Rugby, Caps 0)
17 Will Hobson (Harlequins, Caps 0)
18 Robin Hardwick (Wasps, Caps 0)
19 Charlie Rice (Bristol Bears, Caps 0)
20 Greg Fisilau (Wasps, Caps 0)
21 Matty Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Caps 0)
22 Jamie Benson (Harlequins, Caps 0)
23 George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Caps 0)
