England U20 have made six changes to the starting line-up and named seven debutants for the game, with Mercer named to start on the openside.

Head Coach Jon Callard said: “It is good to be able to give a number of players an opportunity this Friday after others have unfortunately been ruled out with injury. Max Malins and Sam Smith also come into the mix after being unavailable for selection against Scotland.

“The opening loss is in the past and now we have to look forward at ways to improve our performance. We had 64% possession and the positive is that we had clear chances. We want the players to take confidence from that and this week one of our key aims is to be clinical enough to take points from those plays.”

England U20 v Italy U20

15. Max Malins (Saracens)

14. George Perkins (Saracens)

13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

12. Charlie Thacker (Leicester Tigers)

11. Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)

10. Mathew Protheroe (Gloucester Rugby)

9. Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)

1. Tom West (Wasps)

2. Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)

3. Will Stuart (Wasps)

4. Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)

5. George Nott (Sale Sharks)

6. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)

7. Sam Smith (Worcester Warriors)

8. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons) ( c )

Replacements

16. Curtis Langdon (London Irish)

17. Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens)

18. Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)

19. Stan South (Harlequins)

20. Jack Willis (Wasps)

21. Jamie Shillcock (Worcester Warriors)

22. Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)

23. Paolo Odogwu (Leicester Tigers)

Mercer at six for England U20

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