Winger Toby Cousins is set to make his England Under-20s debut on Friday, as the Northampton Saints Under-18s starlet is named on the bench for the side’s U20s Six Nations opener against Scotland.
The 18-year-old – who recently ran out with Saints’ Under-18s at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – joined up with Alan Dickens’ squad ahead of the Six Nations tournament earlier this week and will be hoping to earn his first U20 cap when England face Scotland at Twickenham Stoop this Friday (3 February, kick-off: 7pm).
Head coach 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 U20s team to face Scotland
15 Sam Harris
14 Tobias Elliott
13 Rekeiti Ma'asi-White
12 Joseph Woodward
11 Josh Hathway
10 Monty Bradbury
9 Charlie Bracken
1 Archie McArthur
2 Finn Theobald-Thomas
3 Tim Hoyt
4 Danny Eite
5 Lewis Chessum
6 Finn Carnduff
7 Greg Fisilau
8 Chandler Cunningham-South
Replacements:
16 Calum Scott
17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour
18 Afolabi Fasogbon
19 Robert Carmichael
20 Tristan Woodman
21 Nye Thomas
22 Louie Johnson
23 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints)
U20 Six Nations home fixtures
Friday 3 February – England vs Scotland (kick-off: 7pm) – Twickenham Stoop, London
Friday 10 February – England vs Italy (kick-off: 7pm) – Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Friday 24 February – Wales vs England (kick-off: 7.15pm)
Friday 10 March – England vs France (kick-off: 8pm) – The Recreation Ground, Bath
Sunday 19 March – Ireland vs England (kick-off: 5pm)
Tickets for the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations home fixtures are on sale and can be purchased via englandrugby.com/tickets.
