Fisilau named in U20s squad to face Italy

By Mark Stevens
8/2/23

Exeter Chiefs youngster Greg Fisilau has again been named in England’s Under-20s squad for their Six Nations Championship clash with Italy Under-20s on Friday (7pm).

Following their 41-36 win over Scotland last week, England head coach, Alan Dickens has named the same starting XV for the game at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium.

Fisilau, who was Player of the Match in the Scotland win, starts in the number seven shirt, alongside Chandler Cunningham-South and Finn Carnduff in the back-row.

Lewis Chessum again skippers the side from lock in the second round of the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations, partnered by Danny Eite in the second row. They pack behind a front row of Archie McArthur, Tim Hoyt and hooker Finn Theobald-Thomas.

Charlie Bracken will again partner Monty Bradbury in the halves, with Joseph Woodward and Rekeiti Ma'asi-White in the centres. Following a three-try effort against Scotland, Josh Hathaway retains his spot on one wing, with Tobias Elliott on the other. Sam Harris will again line up at fullback.

Dickens said: “We can take many positives away from our match against Scotland, particularly from the first 25 minutes and in the final 10 when the team played with speed and intensity. While we lost the momentum early in the second half, I was really pleased with how the players wrestled back control to close out the match.

“The players are back in camp and have had a good few days of preparation. We’re now looking forward to our match against Italy at Kingsholm Stadium and will take a settled side into the fixture.

“All teams in this year’s Six Nations are quality sides. We saw Italy push France until the final whistle last week, so a full 80-minute performance will be needed against them on Friday.”

ENGLAND UNDER-20s TO FACE ITALY UNDER-20s

15. Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)
14. Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
13. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)
12. Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
11. Josh Hathaway (Gloucester)
10. Monty Bradbury (London Irish)
9. Charlie Bracken (Saracens)
1. Archie McArthur (Gloucester)
2. Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)
3. Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers)
4. Danny Eite (Gloucester)
5. Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers, capt)
6. Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)
7. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
8. Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)

16. Calum Scott (London Irish)
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
18. Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)
19. Robert Carmichael (Leicester Tigers)
20. Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)
21. Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)
22. Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)
23. Benjamin Waghorn (Harlequins)