England U20 Men's Six Nations venue confirmed
The Recreation Ground will host England's home fixtures against Wales and Ireland in the 2024 U20 Six Nations
2024 will mark the first time since 2010 that England have utilised one home venue for an U20 Six Nations campaign.
The Anglo-Welsh clash is England’s second match of the tournament (9 February, 19:15 GMT) and will be played at the home of Bath Rugby, where they previously encountered France in front of a 11,000-strong crowd back in March.
The fixture against reigning U20 Six Nations champions and World Rugby U20 Championship finalists Ireland takes place on Friday 8 March 2024 (19:15 GMT) and will be broadcast live on BBC.
Alongside U20 Men’s assistant coach Andy Titterrell, Mapletoft selected his 32-member 2023/24 Elite Playing Squad this October after a fourth-place finish in the recent World Rugby U20 Championships in South Africa.
With representatives from all 10 Premiership Rugby academies and 12 previously-capped players involved, the age-grade will look to further refine their craft with friendly matches against Bath Rugby (6 February, 14:00 kick-off) and Oxford University (13 February, 17:00 kick-off) to prepare for the Six Nations.
In what will be his second major tournament in charge, the head coach commented further on his selection and taking that 2024 cohort onto the continental stage for the first time.
Mapletoft said: “In the weeks following our squad announcement, the selected group have gained experience in National Leagues, BUCS Super Rugby, the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Premiership.
“The group will now have the chance to play in Bath twice next year, it’s an historic venue and we welcomed an 11,000-strong crowd to The Rec earlier this year against France – we anticipate more fantastic support in 2024.
“We have the opportunity now to make it our home over the course of the tournament and turn it into a real fortress, although we are acutely aware of the danger Richie’s [Murphy] side poses.
“Ireland have proved their credentials in recent years with back-to-back Grand Slam-wins, they are a team of the highest calibre at this level and we are prepared to take on that challenge.”
ENGLAND U20 MEN'S SIX NATIONS FIXTURES
2 February - Italy v England - 19:15 - Venue TBC
9 February - England v Wales - 19:15 – The Recreation Ground
23 February - Scotland v England - 19:15 - Venue TBC
8 March - England v Ireland - 19:15 – The Recreation Ground
15 March - France v England - 20:00 - Venue TBC
