England will be one of the teams in the mix at the final stages of the Junior World Championships which kick-off in June in South Africa. They will be there because of the collective this squad who are Champions of the Northern Hemisphere bring to the competition. Whilst there are a lot of good players in the squad, we have picked four we feel will make a name for themselves during the competition.
England Stars of the Future
The first player we have picked is already making a name for himself in the Premiership side London Irish. He has already scored a couple of tries for them and he is:
Marland Yarde, who has power but with pace and will be one of the fliers to watch. Marland is a wing, weighs in at 88kgs (13st 12lbs), born 20/4/1992. His current club is London Irish and previously he was at London Welsh.
Next a Worcester Warrior:
Matt Kvesic. Matt has come up through the Academy structure at Sixways and has already played quite a few games for the team. He was born in Germany on the 14/04/1992. He weighs in at 104kgs (16st 5lb), stands 1.85m (6’1″) and is a backrow for the Worcester Warriors.
One of the unsung but names for the future currently playing for Richmond, though a Harlequins Academy guy is prop;
Kyle Sinkler he can scrum but better still pass and run. Kyle as a prop is perhaps a surprise choice, but having seen him perform he is a bit special. Kyle is a Harlequins Academy guy, aged 19 and weighing in at 120kg (18st 12lb) a big guy, he stands at 1.83m (6′) Kyle has come up through the England ranks through 16’s, 17’s and 18’s.
However, the player we feel will become a star for the future is number 10
Tom Heathcote. Tom joined the Bath Academy in 2007 and has had a couple of games for the senior team this season. He started in rugby at Salisbury Rugby Club, although he was born in Bath on 11/02/1992. He stands 1.79m (5’10”) and weighs in at 89kg (14st 0lb) making him quite a big flyhalf (10).
Tom Heathcote
England U20 Squad
Props: Luke Cowan-Dickie Exeter Chiefs, Ross Harrison Sale Sharks, Alec Hepburn London Wasps, Kyle Sinckler Harlequins
Hooker: Koree Britton Gloucester Rugby, Max Crumpton Saracens, Nathan Morris London Wasps
Lock (2nd row): Dom Barrow Leeds Carnegie, George Merrick Harlequins, Tom Price Leicester Tigers, Sam Twomey Harlequins
Back Row: Jack Clifford Harlequins, Matt Kvesic Worcester Warriors, Ben Nutley Northampton Saints, Dave Sisi London Irish, Chris Walker Leeds Carnegie
Scrumhalf: Dan Robson Gloucester Rugby, Ben Spencer Saracens
Flyhalf: Tommy Bell Sale Sharks, Tom Heathcote Bath Rugby, Henry Slade Exeter Chiefs
Centre: Sam Hill Exeter Chiefs, Ryan Mills Gloucester Rugby, Charlie Walker Harlequins
Wing/Fullback: Will Addison Sale Sharks, Josh Bassett Bedford Blues, Jamie Elliott Northampton Saints, Marland Yarde London Irish
The U20’s schedule
Mon 04 Jun 15:45GMT England v Italy University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
Fri 08 Jun 17:45GMT England v Ireland Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Tue 12 Jun 17:45GMT South Africa v England Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
If all goes to plan the other games will be:
Sun 17 Jun 16:00 or 18:15GMT Semi-final Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Fri 22 Jun 17:45GMT Final Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch