England U20s trio Ben Coen, Jack Bracken and Angus Hall discuss Grand Slam decider vs Wales

England Under-20s head to Cardiff to face Wales in their final Six Nations match knowing that a win will secure a historic Grand Slam for Mark Mapletoft’s side.

It has been a fantastic campaign for the age-grade team and they will be keen to finish it in style.

Ahead of the game, Sports News Blitz–sponsored YouTube channel Rugby Analyst spoke to three of the best young talents in the team, Angus Hall, Jack Bracken and Ben Coen.

Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliot reports on the interview.

Coen and Hall ready for Welsh challenge

All three players have been instrumental in the success of the campaign so far, with Coen the only player to have not started every game, as he missed the previous match with Italy due to a senior call-up from club side Exeter Chiefs.

The Chiefs fly-half gave his insight into how different the preparation has been compared to other weeks, with such a big game on the horizon.

He said: “A bit of an extra focus amongst the group, we know what’s on the line, there’s a bit of an extra buzz around the place but not much has changed in terms of preparation, we have kept it similar to other weeks which has worked but there is a bit of a different feel.”

Young Saracens centre Angus Hall has been ever-present in the team during the Championship.

With evident quality and great game management, Hall was described by his two team-mates as being a consistent player who never makes mistakes.

To stop minds from wandering straight to the potential success of a Grand Slam on the horizon, coaches have a huge job in terms of the messaging that they give the players this week.

Hall described what the messaging was, saying: “The main messaging to the boys has been coaches saying enjoy it as much as you can. 

“You get very minimal opportunities to win a Six Nations as well as a Grand Slam, maybe three maximum.

“So, smiles on faces and enjoy as much as possible has been one of the key messages.”

Bracken takes inspiration from father Kyran

Another Saracens player is winger Jack Bracken, who has shown himself to be one of the most versatile players in the squad, being able to play across most of the backline.

Talking on the positions that he can play or has played, he said: “In recent years only the back three really. Focusing on 15 the past few years and being on the wing in the England set-up.”

His father, Kyran Bracken, made over 50 Test appearances for England as a scrum-half and was part of the 2003 team who won the World Cup.

The England U20 winger spoke of the influence his father had.

“Growing up, with influence from my dad, I was a nine [scrum-half] up until around 13 years old, and then slowly transitioned out to the wing,” he said.

“Wouldn’t say no to playing in the centre in the future.

“In the backline with my brothers and my dad, that’s where I developed my skills.”

When asked about what his favourite position to play is, he said: “I would say 15 [fullback].”

READ MORE: Six Nations analysis: England vs Italy review - Preview and score prediction vs Wales

A season of big wins for U20s

There have been moments during their Six Nations where things haven’t entirely gone England’s way, but after winning four out of four so far, Bracken spoke of what he believes is the most crucial of those wins.

“France was probably the biggest game, and I think we really delivered,” he said. “I think the Scotland game was a great day because we got to show as backs what we’re about and what we can do.”

Coen also gave his view on which of the games was his biggest.

“For me it would probably be the Ireland game because going there is tough and an England team hasn’t won there in something like eight games before that.

“We went down to 14 with a red card and then 13 with a yellow so to battle through and get the win there was a big highlight so far.”

All three also went through a few questions to see how much they knew each other, with varying levels of knowledge from the players.

MORE FROM CHARLIE ELLIOT: Six Nations news: Why Marcus Smith being dropped could benefit England

Charlie Elliott

Charlie Elliott is doing a Masters in Sports journalism at Salford University, and is a big football and rugby union fan.

He is Sports News Blitz’s resident rugby union expert, and supports Leicester Tigers and Morecambe FC.

Charlie also writes for the Rugby Paper website on a weekly basis, and records videos with Rugby Analyst on Youtube.

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