Four Harlequins are set to start for England Under-20s in their 2026 U20 Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday night (6 February, KO 19:45 GMT).

Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens hosts the curtain raiser for the Men’s Pathway, which will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.

Elliot Williams (second row) and Jimmy Staples (hooker) are set for their full Under-20's debuts in the East Midlands, while Ollie Streeter packs down at tighthead and Lucas Friday will be marshalling the pack from scrum-half.

England U20 Men’s side to face Wales (includes current club, community club and previous U20 caps)

15. James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, uncapped)
14. Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 4 caps)
13. Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 8 caps)
12. Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 4 caps)
11. George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 3 caps)
10. Luke Davidson (Saracens, Michaelhouse, uncapped)
9. Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 8 caps)

1. Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 9 caps)
2. Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, uncapped)
3. Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 2 caps)
4. Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
5. Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, uncapped)
6. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 9 caps)
7. George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, uncapped)
8. Connor Treacey (C) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 7 caps)

Replacements

16. Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, uncapped)
17. Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, uncapped)
18. Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
19. Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, uncapped)
20. Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 2 caps)
21. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians, uncapped)
22. Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, uncapped)
23. Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Bank of England RFC, uncapped)

The drop out is meant to be a drop kick.
I always thought of them as being short range.
Player can now drop kick fifty metres.


Perhaps the answer is to look at the aerodynamics of the ball.

Why the 2026 Six Nations Kicks Off on a Thursday?

For the first time in the Six Nations era, the championship will begin on Thursday 5 February 2026, instead of the traditional Saturday opening.

The change is down to a mix of global scheduling pressures, broadcast priorities, and the wider sporting calendar.

Avoiding a Clash With the 2026 Winter Olympics

The biggest reason why the 2026 Six Nations kicks off on a Thursday is to avoid competing with the Winter Olympics.

The Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony takes place on Friday 6 February, the day after the Six Nations opener. Broadcasters wanted to ensure rugby’s biggest annual tournament didn’t lose attention to one of the world’s largest sporting events.

I would rather that they either started with a "Super Saturday" - - or played 2 games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
I don't like the idea of Thursday night matches. It makes it virtually impossible for travelling fans as you have to take 2 days off work rather than just one.
However, I do appreciate that it will be popular with French TV companies as it doesn't conflict with any other big sporting events and will therefore bring in plenty of cash.

If there's anything in the rumours of Benson moving on at the end of his next contract, I can see Kerr moving inside a position or two to FH - I'm not sure he has the bulk needed for 12 (although, admittedly, he could pile it on) or the pace required for 13. His distribution skills and boot make me think he'd just be better suited to 10 if he can develop all the game control, etc.

I'm fairly sure Kerr was a 10 at age grade/school level, and only played 12 for the U18s and beyond because Bellamy was preferred at 10 and Kerr was too good to leave out.

I kind of feel like some people are interpreting "could give the main team a run for their money" as me saying that they would beat the main team rather than saying that they would give them a good match, which is what it means. In a few positions, individual players could put the case for being as good or nearly as good as their equivalents in the main team. And, clearly, they are the next in line or potentially next in line if there are injuries to the first choice players.