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James Gaskell will start for England U20s against Wales U20s.

James Gaskell starts for England in RBS U20 Six Nations

Wednesday, February 3rd 2010

Sale Sharks’ nineteen year old lock, James Gaskell, has been selected to start the RBS Under 20s Six Nations against Wales at Kingsholm this Friday 5th February, kick off 7.45PM.

After his 20th appearance for Sale Sharks against Northampton last weekend, James travelled south to train with the England Under 20s this week.

Friday’s match will be James’ second year playing for England in the RBS U20 Six Nations, after his debut against France U20s in March 2009.

Sale Sharks Jets’ prop, Lee Imiolek, has also been named as a replacement for the England U20 v Wales U20 fixture.

Head coach Mark Mapletoft is confident with his squad against Wales. Mark said, "We’re excited about the potential of this group and we’ve got a nice blend of young players coming into the side together with those who were involved with us last year."

"We want to play an exciting brand of rugby at a high tempo and they’ve all bought into that.”

"We're under no illusions that Wales will be a really difficult test for us, though, and they continue to produce lots of talented young players. Both sides will want to play and move the ball, so it should make for a great contest at Kingsholm."

England Under 20s team: 15 Tom Catterick (Newcastle Falcons), 14 Will Hurrell (Leicester Tigers), 13 Tom Homer (London Irish), 12 Rory Clegg (Harlequins), 11 Sam Smith (Harlequins), 10 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), 9 Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers), 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), 4 Calum Green (Leicester Tigers), 5 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks), 6 Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons), 7 Jacob Rowan (C) (Leeds Carnegie), 8 Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons).

Replacements: 16 Arthur Ellis (London Wasps), 17 Lee Imiolek (Sale Sharks), 18 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), 19 Jackson Wray (Saracens), 20 Sam Stuart (Harlequins), 21 (Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), 22 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby).