England have today named a 32-man squad for this season's Under-20 international programme.

Coached by Nigel Redman and Mark Mapletoft, England U20 will play Six Nations games in February and March before travelling to the IRB Junior World Championships in June.

Redman's squad includes 19 survivors from the Under-19 squad captained by Hugo Ellis (London Wasps) that finished sixth at the IRB Under-19 World Championships in Belfast last season.

A further 12 players come from the Under-18 side led by Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks) that won three of its four Six Nations Festival games and toured Australia this summer.

The final member of the squad is Harlequins wing Jordan Turner-Hall who was involved with last season's Under-20 team before undergoing a shoulder operation.

"I think we've got a good balance," said head coach Redman. "It was a tough call for those players who went to Belfast and didn't make it but it is important to look at who is coming through, what they can offer now and what we think they can offer in the future.

"One area of perceived strength will be in the back-row, which will be very competitive, and the talent in last year's Under-18 side will help us strengthen the back division. From nine to 15 we're looking for these younger players to come in and fight their way into the Test team.

"I hope that when we get to the Six Nations the players will have played more games from September to January than they have in previous years, either in Premiership A teams or on loan. They'll learn together through playing as well as from the quality coaching they receive at their clubs."

Players and coaches meet for the first time later this month for a day of planning and goal-setting with training camps to follow in December, January and May.

England will be based at Gloucester for their two Six Nations home games against Wales and Ireland on February 1 and March 14, a venue that excites former Bath, England and Lions lock Redman.

"I used to love going up to Gloucester because there was always such a great atmosphere to play in at Kingsholm," he said.

"We went there with the England Under-21s a couple of years ago and were looked after fantastically well, so it's great to be going back there for the games against Wales and Ireland when I hope we can deliver some big performances."

England Under-20 Squad Forwards: Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby) Calum Clark (Leeds Carnegie) James Clark (London Irish) Alex Corbisiero (London Irish) Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors) Hugo Ellis (London Wasps) Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks) Jon Fisher (London Irish) Scott Freer (Leeds Carnegie) Greg Gillanders (Leicester Tigers) Joe Gray (Northampton Saints) Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Billy Moss (Bath Rugby) Andy Saull (Saracens) Jack Steadman (Bristol Rugby) Ben Thomas (Saracens) Backs: Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors) Richard Bolt (Cornish Pirates) Noah Cato (Saracens) Luke Eves (Bristol Rugby) Alex Goode (Saracens) Adam Greendale (Leeds Carnegie) Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons) Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby) Joe Simpson (London Wasps) Mike Stanley (Saracens) Seb Stegman (Harlequins) Alex Tait (Newcastle Falcons) Greig Tonks (Leicester Tigers) Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)