WORCESTER Warriors pair Ted Hill and Kai Owen are in the England squad to face Ireland in their World Rugby Under-20 Championship opener in Argentina tomorrow (7.30pm).

Hill starts at blindside flanker with Owen named as replacement loosehead prop as England take on the Six Nations champions.

Hill, already a senior international, returns to under 20 duty having played in the first two matches of the Six Nations. Owen made his England debut at any level as a replacement against France in February.

England have a proud record in the competition, reaching the last six consecutive finals and winning the Championship three times, with the last success coming on home soil in 2016.

This year’s Championship will see a World Rugby trial, with all 28 squad members available to be used as one of the eight permitted replacements on matchday.

England head coach Steves Bates said: “A big factor for us is going to be the experience of our pack, a lot have played in the Premiership already, played a lot at Under-20 level and also in this tournament so they are battle-hardened.

“Having said that we are not going to play a game dominated by our forwards because we have some very exciting and talented backs but we recognise up front will be an area where we can exert some pressure.”

Bates’ side face Grand Slam champions Ireland at CRAI Club – Santa Fe, before taking on Italy on June 8 and Oceania champions Australia on June 12.

England U20s: de Glanville; Sleightholme, Dingwall, Redpath, Seabrook; Vunipola, Fox; Adkins, Dolly, Heyes, Kpoku, Coles, Hill, Hinkley, Willis.

Replacements: Barbeary, Owen, Petch, Capon, Kenny, Capstick, Tuima, Basham, Maunder, James, Doherty, Reed, Hodge.