Relton sets his sights on Grand Slam

By Mark Stevens
12/7/21

Exeter Chiefs youngster Arthur Relton has his sights set on a Six Nations Championship Grand Slam after being named in the England Under-20s side to play Italyin tomorrow's final round (1.45pm).

Relton has been an ever-present on the left wing for Alan Dickens' side throughout the tournament and lines-up in an England side, which shows one change from that which defeated Wales last Wednesday 45-3.

The sole change sees Tommy Mathews makes his first start at fly-half, lining up alongside captain Jack van Poortvliet as his half-back partner.

Looking ahead to the game, Dickens said: “I think the players have really grown together as a group throughout the competition. Each week we have asked them to go out and improve on the previous performance and each time they’ve done that.

“They’ve worked really hard and really driven each other to get better every training session and I’ve been pleased to see such great character from the squad.

“We know the Italians are a tough outfit and I think they have been excellent so far in this competition. I’m sure they’ll be looking to take their first-half performance from their game against Ireland and build on that going into our game and we need to be prepared for that.

“This will be the last time this group of players takes to the pitch together and I want them to go out, put in a good performance, enjoy the moment and take away some special memories from our time here in Cardiff.”

Teams are permitted to name a squad of 26 players for each fixture in this year’s competition due to Covid-19 regulations. Eight of the 11 replacements named in a squad can be used during the match.

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

15 Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby)
14 Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
13 Jack Bates (Bristol Bears)
12 Dan Lancaster (Leeds Tykes)
11 Arthur Relton (Exeter Chiefs)
10 Tommy Mathews (Hartpury University RFC)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, capt)
1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
2 Sam Riley (Harlequins)
3 Harvey Kindell-Beaton (Saracens)
4 Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
5 Alex Groves (Bristol Bears)
6 Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby)
7 Jack Clement (Gloucester Rugby)
8 Nahum Merigan (Bath Rugby)

Replacements

16 Archie Vanes (Leicester Tigers)
17 Tarek Haffar (London Irish)
18 Luke Green (London Irish)
19 Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Josh Gray (Gloucester Rugby)
21 Ollie Stonham (Saracens)
22 Tom Carr-Smith (Bath Rugby)
23 Fin Smith (Worcester Warriors)
24 Phil Cokanasiga (London Irish)
25 Deago Bailey (Bristol Bears)
26 Charlie Atkinson (Wasps)