Adkins and Hinkley face Irish
GLOUCESTER pair Olly Adkins and Aaron Hinkley are in the England Under-20s side for the Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Irish Independent Park in Cork on Friday (7.15pm).
Adkins is making his debut at this level while Hinkley is one of seven players in the side who played in the final of the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in France.
The side will be captained by Fraser Dingwall at outside centre and includes full international Ted Hill at blindside flanker, who is named as vice-captain.
Among the replacements is former Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath’s son Cameron, who earned selection for the senior tour to South Africa last summer, before being ruled out through injury.
Meanwhile, Gloucester-hartpury pair Tatyana Heard and Kelly Smith will start England Women’s opening Six Nations clash against Ireland.
The Red Roses get the Six Nations campaign underway on Friday at Energia Park, Donnybrook, and Heard will win her third cap in the centre while wing Smith is set for her sixth appearance.
On the bench, Drybrook’s Natasha Hunt could win her 42nd cap.
With 108 caps to her name, Sarah Hunter captains the side and is joined by fellow 2014 World Cup winners Katy Daley-mclean (102 caps), Emily Scarratt (74) , Marlie Packer (61) and Hunt.
I’m sure there’ll be a good mix of senior boys and academy boys out this week and we’re looking forward to it Tim Taylor ahead of this weekend’s Premiership Cup game with Bath