Flanker Charlie Beckett will start alongside his Leicester Tigers teammate Will Owen in the England back row in Wednesday's World Rugby U20 Championship pool decider against France.Tigers prop Owen Hills is named among the replacements for the game at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana (kick off 3.30pm BST live on BT Sport 1).
Beckett, who made his Tigers first-team debut this season in the LV= Cup win at London Irish, makes his first start of the tournament, while Owen will make his third start. Hills is included in a matchday squad at the championship for the first time.
Ellis Genge and James Chisholm come into the pack at loosehead prop and No 8 while James Mitchell is the only change in the backline from the side that beat Wales 30-16, coming in at scrum half for the injured Stuart Townsend.
England head coach Jon Callard said: “It is important that we manage resources. It is about keeping players fit and fresh for the whole of the tournament and giving everyone an opportunity.
“Some will inevitably be disappointed when they miss out, but the squad we have selected is what we believe to be the best fit for this particular game.”
England last played France back in March and retained their Six Nations title with a 24-11 win. Now, with both sides having won their opening two pool matches, a place in the semi-final of the World Rugby U20 Championship is at stake.
Callard said: “I always enjoy playing against the French and watching them play. They have flair and a well-drilled set piece which makes it a nice challenge for our team.
“Our scrum and lineout have improved game on game so to go against a strong French side will be a good test.
“I am expecting them to be solid up front and committed, and because of that French element of the unknown, we need to be sharp, always switched on and ready to respond to every eventuality.”
England U20 to face France
15 Aaron Morris (Saracens)
14 George Perkins (Saracens)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Max Clark (Bath Rugby)
11 Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
10 Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby)
9 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby)
2 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)
3 Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie)
4 Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, captain)
6 Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers)
7 Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)
8 James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs)
17 Owen Hills (Leicester Tigers)
18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks)
19 Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)
21 Will Homer (Bath Rugby)
22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester)
23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps)
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Beckett makes first start at U20s championship
9 June 2015 11:25 AM
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