England U20s are also in action this weekend, with their Six Nations fixtures mirroring those of the senior team.

Ben Earl of Saracens will captain the side at openside flanker

There is a host of young talent from the Aviva Premiership on display, with coach Steve Bates at the helm.

The side includes eight members of the squad that reached the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship last year, with seven debutants and five more uncapped players on the bench.

England U20 side to face Italy, Six Nations:

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)*
12. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
11. Ben Loader (London Irish)*
10. James Grayson (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)*
8. Tom Willis (Wasps)*
7. Ben Earl – captain (Saracens)
6. Sam Moore (Sale Sharks)*
5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)*
4. Dino Lamb (Harlequins)
3. Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
2. Henry Walker (Gloucester)
1.Toby Trinder (Northampton Saints)*

Replacements
16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps)*, 17. Alex Seville (Gloucester), 18. Joe Morris (Worcester Warriors), 19. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)*, 20. Josh Basham (London Irish)*, 21. Rory Brand (London Irish), 22. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)*, 23. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)*.

*denotes uncapped player

England U20 Six Nations fixtures:

Italy v England
Friday 2 February, KO 7pm (6pm GMT)
Stadio Enzo Bearzot, Gorizia

England v Wales
Friday 9 February, KO 7.45pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Kingston Park, Newcastle

Scotland v England
Friday 23 February, KO 7.30pm
Myreside, Edinburgh

France v England
Friday 9 March, KO 9pm (8pm GMT)
Stade de la Mediterranee, Beziers

England v Ireland
Friday 16 March, KO 8pm – live on Sky Sports Action
Ricoh Arena, Coventry