Mark Mapletoft, who was previously involved with the U18 England coaching team, has stepped up, and it could be said this opening campaign represents as good a chance as any to take home some silverware.
The benefit of the move is obvious with such a large contingent of Mapletoft’s U18 team following him through; there is knowledge and understanding of the personnel in place. What the former Cherry & White outside half has to make sure is that the same form also follows. Five wins from six games at U18 6 Nations level (over two seasons), with a one-point loss to France last year, shows pedigree. He needs to be able to translate that form into Ws at the illustrious U20 level.
The Six Nations campaigns always seemed to be the Achilles heel of Dickens' reign, with only one title out of the four years he was in charge. On paper, England and Dickens had some of the best and brightest talent in the Northern Hemisphere. Indeed, 28 out of the 33-man World Cup squad that Steve Borthwick took to France came through the U20s pathway, and many of those benefitted from the tutelage of Dickens. But on Six Nations duty, his U20 side couldn’t quite grease the wheels of their particular chariot.
In his four years attempting to grasp the title, 2021 stands out. With the likes of Fin Smith, Jack Van Poortvliet, Jack Clement, Tommy Freeman and George Martin, England strode to a Grand Slam title with only Ireland getting within ten points. But in 2020, 2022 and 2023, 4th, 3rd and 4th place finishes were their lot. On Mapletoft’s to-do list is, presumably, a more consistent dominance of the Championship.
The good news is that the new flock of talent has outstanding potential. Headlined by Northampton Saints’ Henry Pollock, this is an England side with many who could make a very effective leap to senior rugby. Pollock’s captaincy of consistently successful club and country shows that standards will be high.
Also stepping up from U18 level is the impressive Ben Redshaw, who has taken to adult rugby like a duck to water. He has caught the eye of many in the North East with consistent Premiership appearances for Newcastle Falcons and was one of a handful of players who went out to France to train with the England senior team as they prepared for their semi-final run. The blonde flyer is an asset to any backline and his composure under the high ball will be incredibly valuable in those often tricky conditions in the early part of the year.
Of the elite player squad, twelve players have been previously capped at U20 level, including Toby Cousins, who did so whilst still being eligible for U18 rugby last season. That’s an unusually large contingent of players stepping up from U18, but it could prove an inspired decision. Not only is there talent but the know-how and familiarity amongst the team could prove very useful as the competition walls close in.
Looking at the squad you would expect a senior front five. There are some excellent options at tightheard (allowing set piece to be built around) with Afolabi Fasogbon (above) and Asher Opoku-Fordjour already making waves; add to that the impressive U18 graduate Billy Sella and England run deep at three. In the back row, there is lots of youthful potential. Pollock will compete with the likes of Lucas Smid, Zach Carr, Nathan Michelow, Reuben Logan, and then you throw in perhaps the best piece of business: Kane James, who was the standout player for Wales at U18 level, with speed and power in abundance. To see the now Exeter Academy player, once of Newcastle, change allegiance should be extremely exciting for England fans.
In the backs, there is pace and guile. Archie McParland and Oliver Allan will duke it out for the No.9 spot while Rory Taylor and Josh Bellamy will argue who partners them (the latter providing the capriciousness to the former’s consistency). In the centre, Ben Waghorn could well start given his impressive performances last year, while it will be worth keeping an eye on youngster Charlie Myall as well. And along with Cousins and Redshaw, the likes of Saints’ Will Glister could well make an impression out wide.
So England look strong on paper, and with matches against Bath Rugby and Oxford University on the horizon, ahead of their opener against Italy, the new head coach has little time to find his best starting XV. The Italians will prove a good litmus test, having ended up on the same amount of points as the English in the last campaign, but Mapletoft will be expecting a strong display in this competition. The promise is most definitely there and he will want to open his tenure with a bang.
