Newcastle Falcons senior academy scrum-half, Joe Davis has been named on the bench for England U20s ahead of their Men’s U20s Six Nations clash against Italy this Friday (7th, 19:45 GMT kick-off).  

The Men’s Pathway team hosts the Azzurrini at Bath Rugby’s Recreation Ground in Round 4 of the competition, following three consecutive wins, including a commanding performance against Scotland at Kingston Park last time out. The match will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.

Davis is set to win his first U20s cap from the bench after an impressive season with the Falcons, having made 10 first-team appearances and scoring two tries.

Andy Titterrell said: “Italy posed many challenges for us at U19 and U20 level last year and made us work hard for our wins, but in preparation for this game the focus has ultimately remained on ourselves and our game plan.

“We’re confident in our processes and the squad as a whole have demonstrated their understanding of our ethos as a team in relentless fashion. Transition between squad members has been seamless and that’s down to the ownership taken by our Brotherhood to always get better and better.

“Ultimately, we’re striving to be ambitious in our approach and clinical in every area of our game. After receiving fantastic support throughout the tournament, we want to seize the opportunity once again in front of another big home crowd this Friday night.”

England U20 Men team to face Italy (includes current club, community club and U20 caps) 

15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 1 cap) 
14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 8 caps) 
13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 9 caps) 
12 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 2 caps) 
11 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 1 cap) 
10 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 13 caps) 
9 Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport RFC, 1 cap) 

1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 3 caps)  
2 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 3 caps) 
3 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 3 caps) 
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 14 caps) 
5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 3 caps)  
6 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 13 caps) 
7 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 5 caps) 
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 12 caps) 

Replacements 

16 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 3 caps)  
17 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 3 caps) 
18 Tubuna Maka (Leicester Tigers, Birmingham Moseley RFC, uncapped) 
19 Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Penzance and Newlyn RFC, uncapped) 
20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 1 cap) 
21 Joe Davis (Newcastle Falcons, Bishop Auckland RUFC, uncapped) 
22 Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield RUFC, 1 cap) 
23 Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers, Silhillians RUFC, 2 caps)