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Scouting Report: England U20s Travel To Cork Full Of Power And Experience

Scouting Report: England U20s Travel To Cork Full Of Power And Experience
Caolan Scully
By Caolan Scully Updated
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The 2025 U20 Six Nations is just around the corner with a thrilling opening encounter in store. Virgin Media Park in Cork will play host to the championship curtain raiser as Neil Doak’s Ireland take on reigning Six Nations and world champions England in front of a sell-out crowd.

Mark Mapletoft’s charges arrive in Ireland as pre-tournament favourites, and for good reason. The matchday 23 to face Ireland has 12 players with prior England U20s experience, while the likes of Henry Pollock and Junior Kpoku have been lining out week on week for Northampton and Racing 92 respectively. By comparison, Ireland’s 31 man squad features just 7 guys in their second year at the age grade, and 0 URC minutes.

At U20s level, power and experience are worth double, which is what makes an already tricky task look even tougher. Five of England’s pack stand out for this:

  • 2. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath)
  • 3. Vilikesa Sela (Bath)
  • 5. Tom Burrow (Sale Sharks - captain)
  • 6. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92)
  • 7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)

The Bath front row pair of Tuipulotu and Sela have gotten top level Premiership and Champions Cup minutes alongside the likes of World Cup winning prop Thomas du Toit or England duo Beno Obano and Will Stuart. They have the quality to step up for Johann van Graan’s men, but also have the experience of training with elite stars every day.

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The England side are captained by Sale man Tom Burrow in the second row. The powerful lock stands at 6 foot 8 inches and 109 kilos, making him a menacing challenge for his direct opponents, Leinster’s Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan.

SEE ALSO: 4 Players To Watch As The Ireland U20s Look To Extend Incredible Six Nations Form

England U20s: an incredible backrow

Moving onto the back row then and that is where danger truly lies. Junior Kpoku is another of a long list of players to come through the famed Saracens academy and he packs a punch. Still only 19, Kpoku already has thirteen appearances for Racing between the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup, swapping between second row and the flank. He’s experienced, he’s powerful, at 6 foot 8 and 120 kg, and a real handful.

So too is the final danger to watch in the pack, Henry Pollock. He talks a big game, but this kid walks an even bigger game. Not the biggest member of the starting pack, but arguably the most talented, Pollock has been a mainstay in Northampton’s first choice 23 this season as they big to retain their Premiership crown. The matchup between Kpoku and Pollock versus that of Michael Foy and Bobby Power is sure to whet the appetite of the rugby purist.

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Regardless of weather, result or atmosphere; this is a fitting opening fixture for the U20 Six Nations. England are overwhelming favourites, and the best team in the world at the age grade, but there’s a lot to like about this Irish team. If they can get the likes of Alan Spicer fit for the final three games, then another top half finish will be the aim. If they beat England… then the sky’s the limit for the boys in green.

 

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