Three Northampton Saints players have been included in England U20 Men’s matchday squad to face Japan this weekend.
Ollie Scola and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave – who both represented their country in the recent U20 Six Nations – start at loosehead prop and lock respectively on Saturday at Cambridge Rugby’s Ellgia Fields (kick-off: 2pm). James Pater has been included among the 11 replacements for the fixture.
On their tour of England, Japan U19 overcame Oxford University Select XV 45-14 at Iffley Road on Thursday 13 March before a defeat at Dartford Valley RFC to Saracens U19s, finishing 38-12 in favour of the Premiership Rugby academy this Monday.
Head coach Andy Titterrell said: “We have assembled a very exciting, young group for Saturday’s game that will give a platform to evolve players’ skillsets ahead of another key period of development this summer.
“To be joined by Jon [Pendlebury], Will [Parkin] and all our pathway staff has been a fulfilling experience, a brilliant opportunity to further align and a reminder of the quality we possess on and off the field in the pathway. A warm welcome must be extended to Ashley [Johnson], whose expertise has been invaluable in preparation for this weekend.
“Following on from the U20 Six Nations period it’s imperative to open another window for progression and growth for our players, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity in Cambridge.”
England U19 Men’s team to play Japan
15 Sean Sharp (Harlequins, Old Alleynians RFC)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby)
13 Rhys Beeckmans (Newcastle Falcons, Blaydon Rugby Club)
12 Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield RUFC)
11 Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, Bideford RFC)
10 Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield RUFC, 2 caps)
9 Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians)
1 Ollie Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 4 caps)
2 Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, North Petherton RFC)
3 Sam Graham (Durham University, Durham City Rugby Football Club)
4 Luke Griffiths (CA Brive, Farnham Rugby Club)
5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 4 caps)
6 Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Blaydon Rugby Club)
7 Seb Kelly (C) (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC)
8 Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, Stow-on-the-Wold RFC)
Replacements
16 Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, Firwood Waterloo RFC)
17 Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs, Penzance and Newlyn RFC)
18 Gabriel Registe (Saracens, Campion RFC)
19 Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Overton RFC)
20 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs)
21 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC)
22 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC)
23 James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC)
24 Israel Akinrowo (Exeter Chiefs, Devenport Services RFC)
25 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC)
26 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC)
