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Tigers contribute four to England U-20 squad

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Dan Cole and Ollie Dodge will start for England U-20s against France U-21s this Friday evening, with both Alex Shaw and Tom Youngs named among the replacements for the match at Franklin's Gardens (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tigers contribute more players than any other club for Friday's fixture - another sign of the impressive academy system the club has in place.

Youngs is replaced in the starting line-up by Wasps' Dominic Waldouck in one of five changes from the XV beaten 13-6 by Ireland U-20s a fortnight ago.

England's front and back rows are re-jigged, with Tom Mercey, a late withdrawal through illness against the Irish, resuming in place of Northampton Saints' Charlie Beech and Tigers prop Cole moving to loose-head -  and a whole new unit in blind-side Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors), Saracens open-side Andy Saull and London Wasps No 8 Hugo Ellis.

There are also changes on the bench where Luke Cozens - currently in the country's top 10 points scorers with  214 for Cleve and more than 50 for Bath A and Development XV - gets his first taste of England representative rugby with Saints' Danny Pointon also called up.

England will be facing U-21 opposition as France, like Italy, have not yet followed the Home Nations in moving to an U-20s age group.

"Tomorrow will be a physical challenge because the French are older but also a tactical one because their rugby brains are older and that is going to be a test, particularly for some of our younger players," said coach Nigel Redman. "I am hoping for more tempo - which what we worked on ahead of the Irish game and didn't get it - and being more unpredictable in the way we attack."

Tickets, priced £12 seating, £10 standing, £6 juniors and £30 family (2 adults, 2 children), are available from Northampton Saints on 01604 581000.

England U-20s

15      David Doherty (London Wasps)
14      Ollie Dodge (Leicester Tigers)
13      Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps)
12      Adam Powell (Saracens)
11      Selorm Kuadey (Sale Sharks)
10      Seb Jewell (NEC Harlequins)
9       Danny Care (capt, NEC Harlequins)
1       Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
2       Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
3       Tom Mercey (Saracens)
4       Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby)
5       Phil Hoy (Northampton Saints)
6       Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors)
7       Andy Saull (Saracens)
8       Hugo Ellis (London Wasps)

Replacements

16      Ross McMillan (Gloucester Rugby)
17      Charlie Beech (Northampton Saints)
18      Alex Shaw (Leicester Tigers)
19      Chevvy Pennycook (Bristol Rugby)
20      Danny Pointon (Northampton Saints)
21      Luke Cozens (Bath Rugby)
22      Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

England U-20s fixtures

Friday February 2
       England U-20s 31 Scotland U-20s 5       Recreation Ground, Bath
Friday February 9       England U-20s 30 Italy U-21s 10         Recreation Ground, Bath
Friday February 23      Ireland U-20s 13 England U-20s 6              Dubarry Park, Athlone
Friday March 9  v France U-21s                          Northampton, 7.45pm (Live on SkySports Xtra)
Friday March 16 v Wales U-20s                           Newport, 7.40pm