England Under-20 call for Bristol Rugby's Vunipola

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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This is Bristol

Bristol Rugby's Mako Vunipola has been named in the England Under-20 match-day squad to face Scotland on Friday night.

It is the first time the 130kg tighthead prop has been named in a match-day squad at this level.

Vunipola has started only four matches for Bristol, all in this season's British & Irish Cup campaign, but the New Zealand-born 19-year-old has quickly made a big impression.

Head coach Mark Mapletoft makes 10 changes to the 22 on duty for the 25-10 defeat against Ireland last month because of form, injuries and the renewed availability of his top-flight players.

Harlequins fly-half Rory Clegg and Leicester lock Calum Green are among those to return. Newcastle full-back Tom Catterick, wings Marcus Watson (London Irish) and Sam Smith (Harlequins) and centres Mark Atkinson (Sale) and Andrew Forsyth (Leicester) come in; while flankers Jamie Gibson (London Irish) and Will Welch (Newcastle) are back from Guinness Premiership duty.

England won the opening two games of the Under 20 RBS 6 Nations against Wales (33-16) and Italy (16-10) and are tied at the top of the table with Ireland and Wales.

England Under-20 squad – forwards: A Ellis (Wasps), J George (Saracens), J Gibson (London Irish), C Green (Leicester), L Imiolek (Sale), J Marler (Harlequins), C Matthews (Harlequins), J Rowan (Leeds), M Vunipola (Bristol), W Welch (Newcastle), J Wray (Saracens), D Wright (Gloucester).

Backs: M Atkinson (Sale), T Casson (Harlequins), T Catterick (Newcastle), R Clegg (Harlequins), S Harrison (Leicester), A Forsyth (Leicester), J Joseph (London Irish), J Pasqualin (Gloucester), S Smith (Harlequins), MWatson (London Irish).

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