George Ford one of five Leicester Tigers players in England Under-20 elite squad
George Ford leads a strong Leicester Tigers contingent which has been named in the England Under-20 Elite Player Squad.
The 17-year-old fly-half is one of five Tigers players who form part of a 32-man group that will compete in the Under-20 Six Nations in the New Year before heading for the IRB Junior World Championship in Italy next June.
Joining Ford are forwards Ryan Bower, Matt Everard and Jonny Harris, while highly-rated back Manu Tuilagi is also included.
England head coach Rob Hunter has called up nine players previously capped at this level, seven of whom appeared at this year's Junior World Championship in Argentina.
As well as Ford, who was England Under-18s captain last season, the new faces also include Saracens centre Owen Farrell, son of rugby league legend Andy Farrell.
Hunter said: "It's a very talented group, competition for places has been very high and there are some good players who missed out on a place in the 32 who will continue to push for inclusion.
"Within the squad there's a great blend of skill, pace and power and we can't wait to see them wearing the England jersey."
Preparations start with training camps this month, December and January before the U20 Six Nations kicks off against Wales in February. Squad:
Forwards: Ryan Bower (Tigers), Koree Britton (Gloucester), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Will Collier (Harlequins), Matt Everard (Tigers), Alex Gray (Newcastle, Jonny Harris (Tigers), Sam Jones (Wasps), Matt Kvesic (Worcester), Addison Lockley (Exeter), Kieran Low (London Irish), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Ollie Stedman (Leeds), Henry Thomas (Sale), Sam Twomey (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Wasps), Mako Vunipola (Bristol).
Backs: Chris Cook (Bath), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Ryan Mills (Gloucester), Ben Ransom (Saracens), Dan Robson (Gloucester), Jake Sharp (Saracens), Andy Short (Worcester), Manu Tuilagi (Tigers), Christian Wade (Wasps), Jack Wallace (Wasps), Marcus Watson (London Irish), Marland Yarde (London Irish).
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