Orlando Bailey, Nahum Merigan and Ewan Richards have been named in a 32-strong squad for the tournament which will take place at Cardiff Arms Park, Wales in a condensed three-week period.

Fly-half Bailey has earned a first Premiership start and a European debut this season while lock Richards made his maiden league bow back in February. Number 8 Merigan has featured for England Under-20s in uncapped matches as well as appearing in friendlies for Bath at senior level.

Academy Manager Craig Lilley is delighted with the trio’s inclusion and has outlined their progression during the 2020/21 campaign.

Orlando Bailey
Landi has come through Beechen Cliff pathway. It’s hard enough to transition anyway but to transition from schoolboy to senior rugby in Covid times has been really tricky. He came into the senior squad this year and had an influence straight away from leading GPS scores to the way he spoke to people and drove the team forwards. It’s through injury he had his opportunity in the senior team at Bath this season and was rewarded with games in the Premiership and then the European last 16, quarter and semi-finals after that. We’re starting to see his skillset; he’s very calm on the ball, brings people into the game and kicks very well too. It’s his first Under-20s Six Nations and I can’t wait to see him do what he’s done in Premiership and European games in the tournament.

Nahum Merigan
Another from the Beechen Cliff pathway, Nahum has been working really hard on his physical development this year. We want to see more impact from him on both sides of the ball and it will good to see what he can do defensively. He has always been a very good ball carrier so I’m looking forward to seeing him get his hands on the ball and have some good moments. The Six Nations will be a great to see where Nahum is at and how much he has developed.

Ewan Richards
Ewan has been in the Academy since he was 15 and has had a brilliant year, making his Premiership debut against Harlequins in February. He quietly goes about his business and his line-out skills have improved dramatically to the point where he is now running the line-out within the England age group, something he’ll hopefully be doing in the Six Nations. He has a huge work rate, gets around the field, carries well and tackles; he does a lot of the unseen work and I’m absolutely delighted he’s involved.

England face France in the opener before taking on Scotland six days later. Round 3 sees them take on Ireland on 1 July before a head-to-head with Wales. They will close their campaign on 13 July against Italy.

The players and management convene in camp at Bisham Abbey on 13 June for a few days training prior to their arrival in Wales later that week for the Championship.

Bath Rugby Academy trio selected for England U20s

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