U20 Six Nations Preview: England vs Italy

As round two of the Under-20 Six Nations fast approaches, Kingsholm Stadium prepares itself for an all-action clash between England and Italy.

England will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the contest, fresh off their 41-36 victory against Scotland at the Stoop last Friday.

Having flown out of the traps with Josh Hathaway’s 15-minute hat-trick, Alan Dickens’ side had to rally after a stirring Scottish comeback with Tobias Elliott’s late score securing the win for the home side.

Italy had late drama of their own in their 28-27 defeat to France, with Andrea Bruniera's late conversion attempt whistling wide of the upright to deny the young Azzurri a famous home win over last year’s runners-up.

The visitors head to Gloucester looking to secure a third successive win against England following triumphs in last year's Championship and the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series.

Team news

England name an unchanged starting line-up from their victory against Scotland with just one change in the replacements.

Captain Lewis Chessum lines up in the second row and is partnered with Danny Eite.

Last week’s player of the match, Greg Fisilau retains the number seven shirt while hat-trick hero Josh Hathaway continues on the wing.

The only change on the bench sees Benjamin Waghorn take up a place instead of Toby Cousins.

For Italy, Massimo Brunello makes one change with Andrea Bruniera coming off the bench to start at full-back.

Last week’s full-back, François Carlo Mey, moves to outside centre to partner Dewi Passarella, with Nicola Bozzo dropping to the bench.

There is one change among the replacements, with Simone Brisighella replacing Filippo Lavorenti.

England U20: 15. Sam Harris, 14. Tobias Elliott, 13. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 12. Joseph Woodward, 11. Josh Hathaway, 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. Benjamin Waghorn

Italy U20: 15 Andrea Bruniera, 14 Alessandro Gesi, 13 François Carlo Mey, 12 Dewi Passarella, 11 Mathias Leon Douglas, 10 Giovanni Sante, 9 Sebastiano Battara, 1 Destiny Ugiagbe Aminu, 2 Giovanni Quattrini, 3 Marcos Francesco Gallorini, 4 Alex Mattioli, 5 Pietro Turrisi, 6 Carlos Lizardo Berlese, 7 David Odiase, 8 Matteo Rubinato

Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Samuele Taddei, 18 Alex Valentino Artuso, 19 Enrico Pontarini, 20 Jacopo Botturi, 21 Filippo Bozzoni, 22, Simone Brisighella 23, Nicola Bozzo.