07-03-2025
England U20 v Italy U20: Score and latest updates from Under-20 Six Nations
Evening everybody. England will hope to continue their perfect run so far in this year's Under-20 Six Nations when they take on Italy tonight at The Rec. Three wins so far have seen Mark Mapletoft's side score 13 tries and concede only three, with their last outing producing an impressive 57-13 win over Scotland in Newcastle.
With their hopes of winning a second Grand Slam in five years still intact, there are first starts tonight for Oli Scola (Northampton Saints) and Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs), while Sale scrum-half Dom Hanson also makes his full debut.
Prop Tubuna Maka (Leicester Tigers), lock Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs) and scrum-half Joe Davis (Newcastle Falcons) are all named on the bench and could make their first appearances for the Under-20s. Steve Diamond, the Newcastle director of rugby, has spoken on several occasions this season about the potential of Davis, so he will be one to watch.
Josh Bellamy also looked sharp off the bench against Scotland and he comes in at fly half, with Ben Coen, the previous starter, playing for Exeter Chiefs in their Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final this weekend against Ealing Trailfinders.
Italy triumphed in their opening game against Scotland but have since fallen to defeats against Wales - when Wales made an extraordinary number of tackles - and France, a crushing 58-5 defeat.
Despite that, England's assistant coach Andy Titterell has warned of the problems Italy have caused England in the past at youth level.
Andy Titterrell said: 'Italy posed many challenges for us at U19 and U20 level last year and made us work hard for our wins, but in preparation for this game the focus has ultimately remained on ourselves and our game plan.
'We're confident in our processes and the squad as a whole have demonstrated their understanding of our ethos as a team in relentless fashion. Transition between squad members has been seamless and that's down to the ownership taken by our Brotherhood to always get better and better.
'Ultimately, we're striving to be ambitious in our approach and clinical in every area of our game. After receiving fantastic support throughout the tournament, we want to seize the opportunity once again in front of another big home crowd this Friday night.'
Build-up coming your way ahead of kickoff at 7:45pm.
