Will Evans has described England's progress in the World Under-20s Championship as a "great journey" ahead of the final against Ireland.
The Leicester Tigers openside flanker made his Under-20s debut in the win over Scotland and has also started victories over Australia and South Africa on the way to the final, due to be played at Sale’s AJ Bell Stadium this evening.
“We are on a great journey in this tournament and the atmosphere in the squad is electric,” said the 19-year-old Evans.
“I think we are looking like a formidable side at times, but we know we still have areas to improve on.
“The South Africa game was good for us because we scored some great tries and the win over Australia was good because we hung in there and had to come back from behind.”
Evans has retained his place in the back row for the final, which will be shown live by Sky Sports 3.
He is among 10 players who have made their debut at under-20 level for England during the competition.
Head coach Martin Haag paid tribute to the squad’s attitude during the tournament and the way they have bonded as a group in such a short space of time.
“They’ve come a long way in a short space of time,” Haag said. “The team spirit is fantastic and as a result the group is stronger and tighter. Each week those players have given their all to ensure the squad is in the best possible place heading into a game.”
England Under-20s (v Ireland, Saturday 7pm, live on Sky Sports 3)
15 Max Malins (Saracens), 14 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins), 13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins), 12 Johnny Williams (London Irish), 11 Matt Gallagher (Saracens), 10 Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)(c), 9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie); 1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie), 2 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), 3 Billy Walker (Saracens), 4 Stan South (Harlequins), 5 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors), 6 George Nott (Sale Sharks), 7 Will Evans (Leicester Tigers), 8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons).
Replacements: 16 Charlie Piper (Harlequins), 17 Tom West (Wasps), 18 Will Stuart (Wasps), 19 Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors), 20 Jack Willis (Wasps), 21 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby), 22 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie), 23 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
The Leicester Tigers openside flanker made his Under-20s debut in the win over Scotland and has also started victories over Australia and South Africa on the way to the final, due to be played at Sale’s AJ Bell Stadium this evening.
“We are on a great journey in this tournament and the atmosphere in the squad is electric,” said the 19-year-old Evans.
“I think we are looking like a formidable side at times, but we know we still have areas to improve on.
“The South Africa game was good for us because we scored some great tries and the win over Australia was good because we hung in there and had to come back from behind.”
Evans has retained his place in the back row for the final, which will be shown live by Sky Sports 3.
He is among 10 players who have made their debut at under-20 level for England during the competition.
Head coach Martin Haag paid tribute to the squad’s attitude during the tournament and the way they have bonded as a group in such a short space of time.
“They’ve come a long way in a short space of time,” Haag said. “The team spirit is fantastic and as a result the group is stronger and tighter. Each week those players have given their all to ensure the squad is in the best possible place heading into a game.”
England Under-20s (v Ireland, Saturday 7pm, live on Sky Sports 3)
15 Max Malins (Saracens), 14 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins), 13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins), 12 Johnny Williams (London Irish), 11 Matt Gallagher (Saracens), 10 Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)(c), 9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie); 1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie), 2 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), 3 Billy Walker (Saracens), 4 Stan South (Harlequins), 5 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors), 6 George Nott (Sale Sharks), 7 Will Evans (Leicester Tigers), 8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons).
Replacements: 16 Charlie Piper (Harlequins), 17 Tom West (Wasps), 18 Will Stuart (Wasps), 19 Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors), 20 Jack Willis (Wasps), 21 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby), 22 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie), 23 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
