England U20s Six Nations Preview: Mark Mapletoft is keen to build for the future in defence of title

Mark Mapletoft says his group have put their groundbreaking 2024 behind them, operating with a clean slate going into their Six Nations title defence.

England U20s hoisted up both the Six Nations and Junior World Cup last year but with a whole host of new players looking to follow in their predecessors’ footsteps, Mapletoft is focusing on the future.

Last season’s top two, England and Ireland, who drew 32-32 at the Rec last season, meet again in a mouthwatering curtain raiser on Thursday in Cork.

Having operated with a conveyor belt of captains from Leicester Tigers since 2020 – Jack van Poortvliet, Emeka Ilione, Lewis Chessum and Finn Cardnuff – England have this year decided against announcing a captain and will instead provide opportunities for different players to lead the side.

Big Challenge

Mapletoft told The Rugby Paper: “It’s a tough start to the tournament. It’s a big challenge and is different playing on a Thursday night which is a bit unusual.

“It doesn’t give the lads much of a turnaround from those who are playing on the weekend but Thursday night rugby is exciting.

“We’ve had some great games against each other, a couple of crackers last year, the World Cup semi-final and the draw down in Bath.

“Every year’s different, we’ve got a lot of guys left over from last year and Ireland have got half a dozen as well.

“So, there’s a lot of experience coming into the game and it’s a brilliant opportunity for the lads to test themselves against their peers.

“I’m not trying to talk much about last year. It’d be very easy to say we did this, we did that. It’s a different group of players, coaches and support staff.

“Our job as age group coaches is to try and support players as much as we can in their development rather than heaping pressure on them.”

The squad possess a solid amount of Premiership experience as the financial squeeze of the English game has meant more and more home-grown players have been fast-tracked into their senior sides.

Henry Pollock

Henry Pollock, below, could be in the unique scenario of playing for both the men’s and U20s during their respective Six Nations campaigns having been named in Mapletoft’s 2025 elite player squad but was also called up to Steve Borthwick’s camp last week in place of the injured Alex Dombrandt.

Pollock, 20, was the star man across England’s double-winning campaign with energetic bursts and breakdown prowess.

The Northampton back row has enjoyed another sensational season this term making 15 appearances across all competitions and Mapletoft is immensely proud of the journey he’s been on.

He said: “It’s amazing to witness his rise. To see Henry play for us throughout the pathway and then get called up for England is incredible.

“He’s still technically under 20, so we’ll see what his journey looks like in this tournament. I dropped him a message earlier this week and he’s pumped for the opportunity, really excited about those training opportunities with the seniors.”

Asher Opoku-Fordjour

Sale’s versatile prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is another age-grade Six Nations and World Cup double-winner who was a force of nature at scrum time for Mapletoft’s side.

The 20-year-old looks set to play a major part in Borthwick’s plans for the senior Six Nations after continuing his scrummaging prowess in the Premiership and Champions Cup this season.

Mapletoft is understandably delighted for him as it’s another illustration of his graduates quickly achieving senior international honours.

He added: “Henry and Asher have had different journeys which is the beauty of it. Asher didn’t get the opportunity to play England U18s. His club (Wasps) went bust and he had to move on. He’s played in different positions.

“He’s very young in his year, so has been battling that as well. He’s been the bedrock of the last Junior World Cup sides that we’ve had.

“To push on and get capped for the seniors in the autumn against Japan following his good work with the U20s is just a testament to a brilliant guy, who is down to earth, honest and just a top bloke. I wish him all the best.

Stepping Stone

“Coaching the pair in the England A side as well this year was nice to see as a bit of a stepping stone for them both into the senior side.

“It’s no surprise at all that they are both going from strength to strength and I’m sure there’ll be many more from this current group that will look to follow in their footsteps.”

England warmed up for the tournament with a 59-33 victory at Cambridge before a 50-28 loss to Bath United.

England’s try scorers against Bath, Sale flyhalf Ollie Davies, Bath hooker Kepu Tuipulotu and Sale prop Tye Ramont are all included. Against Cambridge, Saracens flyer Jack Bracken, son of Kyran, impressed against Cambridge with a wicked step on his way to getting on the scoresheet.

Exeter No.8 Kane James stood out in a fine performance, and both return for another year having played an integral role in the double-winning triumph in 2024.

Fixtures

Round 1

Thu Jan 30 Ireland v England (7.45pm) Fri Jan 31 Scotland v Italy (7.15pm) Sat Feb 1 France v Wales (8.10pm)

Round 2

Fri Feb 7 Italy v Wales (7.15pm) Fri Feb 7 England v France (8pm) Sat Feb 8 Scotland v Ireland (7.45pm)

Round 3

Fri Feb 21 England v Scotland (7.15pm) Fri Feb 21 Wales v Ireland (7.45pm) Sat Feb 22 Italy v France (7.45pm)

Round 4

Fri Mar 7 Scotland v Wales (7.15pm) Fri Mar 7 England v Italy (7.45pm) Fri Mar 7 Ireland v France (8pm)

Round 5

Fri Mar 14 Wales v England (7.30pm) Fri Mar 14 Italy v Ireland (7.45pm) Fri Mar 14 France v Scotland (8.15pm)