England U20s side to play Argentina in World Rugby U20 Championship opener

England U20s head coach Steve Bates has named his side for the World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Argentina on Wednesday in Narbonne.

Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry will captain England and he is joined in the backrow by Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) and No 8 Josh Basham (London Irish).

The starting XV contains four players who will be appearing at their second World Rugby U20 Championship with hooker Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby), fly-half James Grayson (Northampton Saints), wing Ali Crossdale (Saracens) and full-back Tom Parton (London Irish) all starting the fixture at Stade d'Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié.

England U20s
15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
12. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)
11. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)
10. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)
1. Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
3. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)
4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)
5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)
6. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) – captain
8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements:
16. Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors)
17. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
19. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)
20. Tom Willis (Wasps)
21. Rory Brand (London Irish)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
23. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)

England U20 fixtures:

England v Argentina
Wednesday 30 May, KO 5.30pm BST – highlights on ITV Sport 00:00
Stade d'Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié, Narbonne

England v Italy
Sunday 3 June, KO 3.30pm BST - highlights on ITV Sport 23:00
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan

England v Scotland
Thursday 7 June, KO 8pm BST – highlights on ITV Sport 00:00
Stade de la Méditerranée, Beziers

Semi-finals and ranking play-offs:
Narbonne and Perpignan, 12 June

Finals day:
Beziers, 17 June