Former South Dartmoor student named in England squad

Former South Dartmoor Community College student Joe Bailey has been named in the England U20 Elite Playing Squad for the 2023/24 season.

Bailey, who plays for Exeter Chiefs, was selected alongside his club team-mate Kane James by England U20 Men’s head coach Mark Mapletoft and forwards coach Andy Titterell.

Mapletoft said: “Andy [Titterrell] and I have assembled an extremely talented group to take us into this season, we have every confidence in their ability as well as their mindset as a team.

‘It’s a pleasure to be heading up the U20s side, I thoroughly enjoyed my time involved with the U18s and rest assured, I will continue to work closely with Jonathan [Pendlebury, England U18 Men’s head coach] and Will [Parkin, England U18 Men’s assistant coach] to ensure a streamlined experience for our boys in the pathway.

‘Over the next few months, we will be working towards establishing continuity within our play and link together these very special players to best represent the England shirt in 2024.”

After playing warm-up fixtures against a select XV from Somerset and Oxford University in January, England begin their U20 Six Nations with a visit from Italy in February. Wales and Ireland will be the other two home games for England, along with trips to France and Scotland.