Round-up
FRANCE were runners-up last season but must do without 19-year-old fly-half sensation Matthieu Jalibert, who was called up to the senior squad.
In his absence, a lot of attention will fall on the shoulders of playmaker Romain Ntamack – son of Emile – who won 46 caps for France between 1994- 2000.
Strength in depth is the key for Wales bettering last season's third place finish according to head coach Jason Strange.
Grand Slam winners in this Championship back in 2016, Strange is feeling confident with youngsters like Dan Babos and Harri Morgan – both 17-year-old scrum-halves – blended with winger Tomi Lewis who has already spent time with Wales Sevens in the World Series.
“What's good about this squad is that there are quite a lot of competitive areas,” Strange said.
“We've got fierce competition in the half-backs, while the back row is also a position of strength.”
Strange will be assisted by Chris Horsman and Geraint Lewis and they will be continuing their attacking approach that has served them so well in recent years.
“That attacking philosophy is really important,” he added. “It's the way we want to develop our players in Wales – for them to play with flair, allowing them to express themselves as much as possible.”
Scotland coach Stevie has 24 new faces in his 28-man squad. Scott said: “We've selected a youthful and talented squad which we believe has the ability to perform in this year's Six Nations championship.
“I have every confidence that this group of players will be focused for the vital games ahead.”
Ireland head coach Noel McNamara has packed his squad full of experience with Tommy O'Brien leading the lineup that includes 11 players in last year's Championship as they look to improve on last season's lowly fifth place.
McNamara, who will be assisted by Paul O'Connell in this year's Championship, said: “It's an exciting time for the players and the coaching team.
“There have been some tight calls across the board and it's great to see that competition for places. Also, with 11 players who were involved last season, there is some good experience across the squad.
“The players have all been working hard over the past number of months and we're confident in the ability of the squad.”
Italy, who lost all five games last season, have named four of last year's squad and head coach Fabio Roselli has one aim: “Improving the results compared to 2017 is our goal – it is not easy but the attitude of the team has Sevens experience: Welsh flyer Tomi Lewis been superb.”
SQUADS
ENGLAND U20
Josh Basham, Ben Curry, Beck Cutting, Ben Earl, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Sam Lewis, Sam Moore, Joe Morris, Gabriel Oghre, James Scott, Alex Seville, Marcus Street, Toby Trinder, Henry Walker, Tom Willis, Rory Brand, Will Butler, Aaron Chapman, Ali Crossdale, Fraser Dingwall, James Grayson, Tom Hardwick, Gabriel Ibitoye, Ben Loader, Jordan Olowofela, Tom Parton, Tom Seabrook, Joe Snow, Ben White, Matt Williams
FRANCE U20
Bamba Demba, Barassi Pierre-Louis, Beria Giorgi, Boniface Ugo, Boudehent Pierre, Brennan Daniel, Carbonel Louis, Coville Arthur, Diallo Ibrahim, Etcheverry Iban, Geraci Killian, Gimbert Jules, Gros Jean-Baptiste, Hardy Enzo, Heguy Baptiste, Kolingar Hassane, Lamothe Maxime, Laporte Clément, Lavault Thomas, Lebel Matthis, Lemardelet Maxence, Marchand Guillaume, Marty Maxime, Maximin Jimi, Ntamack Romain, Peyresblanques Lucas, Pinto Vincent, Roussel Alban, Seguret Adrien, Tauzin Lucas, Vincent Arthur, Woki Cameron, Zegueur Sacha
IRELAND U20
Jack Aungier, Matthew Agnew, Diarmuid Barron, Joe Byrne, Ronan Coffey, Matthew Dalton, Cormac Daly, Jordan Duggan, Jack Dunne, Joe Dunleavy, James French, Aaron Hall, Max Kearney, Ronan Kelleher, Sean Masterson, Jack O'Sullivan, Tom O'Toole, Charlie Ryan, Harry Byrne, Angus Curtis, Conor Dean, Conor Hayes, Mark Keane, Angus Kernohan, David McCarthy, James McCarthy, Sean O'Brien, Tommy O'Brien (c), Hugh O'Sullivan, Jonny Stewart, Michael Silvester, Peter Sullivan
ITALY U20
Jacopo Bianchi, Matteo Canali, Niccolò Cannone, Danilo Fischetti, Enrico Ghigo Edoardo Iachizzi, Michele Lamaro (c), Matteo Luccardi, Michele Mancini Parri, Lodovico Manni, Matteo Nocera, Guido Romano, Niccolò Taddia, Albert Einstein Batista, Michelangelo Biondelli, Leonardo Bacchi, Simone Cornelli, Nicolò Casilio, Filippo Di Marco, Giovanni D'onofrio, Alessandro Forcucci, Francesco Modena, Antonio Rizzi, Alberto Rossi
SCOTLAND U20
Murphy Walker, Shaun Gunn, Nathan McBeth, Finlay Richardson, Finn Hobbis, Robbie Smith, Bradley Clements, Ewan Johnson, Jamie Hodgson, Alan Gregory, Harry Butler, Dan Marek, Martin Hughes, Archie Erskine, Guy Graham, Devante Onojaife, Kaleem Barreto, Charlie Chapman, Charlie Gowling, Ross Thompson, Callum McLelland, Logan Trotter, Kyle Rowe, Sam Yawayawa, Rory McMichael, Paddy Dewhirst, Mark New, Stafford McDowell
WALES U20
Taine Basham, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Dan Davies, Rhys Davies, Lennon Greggains, Will Griffiths, Iestyn Harris, Rhys Henry, Morgan Jones, Will Jones, Dewi Lake, Alun Lawrence, Kemsley Mathias, Morgan Morris, Jack Pope, Tommy Reffell, Josh Reynolds, Sam Wainwright, Max Williams, Dan Babos, Corey Baldwin, Callum Carson, Ryan Conbeer, Rio Dyer, Cai Evans, Joe Goodchild, Aaron Hemmings, Ben Jones, Tomi Lewis, Harri Morgan, Reuben Morgan- Williams, Ioan Nicholas, Carwyn Penny, Tommy Rogers, Ben Thomas
