TITANS loanee Joe Simmonds starts at fly-half for England Under-20 in their Six Nations opener against Scotland, as they start the defence of their title at Broadwood Stadium.

The Exeter Chiefs playmaker, who scored a hat-trick for Titans against Canterbury in December, starts inside two of last year's squad members, Charlie Thacker and Joe Marchant.

Jack Walker will captain the side for the first time, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his brother Chris, who led the age group side to victory in 2012 when they retained the Championship.

Hooker Walker, George Perkins and Joe Marchant were all involved in last year’s 26-11 victory over Scotland at Mowden Park.

However, Tom West and Josh Bainbridge both featured in the successful Six Nations campaign, together with Charlie Thacker who starts at inside centre after being called into camp this week.

Billy Keast is another addition and the Exeter Chiefs prop is one of six players who make the step up, having toured with the U18s to South Africa last summer.

“The players have trained really well this week, they work hard for each other, and I’m encouraged with where we are at," said Head Coach John Callard.

"Credit goes to all the coaches for the progress that this group has made.

“The first game of any Championship is always tough, especially playing away in Scotland, but the players are excited about getting started.

“We’re looking for them to use this competition to continue developing their all-round game. For example, we want functionally fit forwards who, as well as having a strong set piece, are ball handlers and good decision makers right across the field.

"You can always come back to a tighter game but we want players to see this as an opportunity to express themselves and enjoy playing for their country.”

The match follows that of the England Women and the double header can be watched live on englandrugby.com

England U20 to play Scotland U20:

15. Mathew Protheroe (Gloucester Rugby)

14. Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)

13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

12. Charlie Thacker (Leicester Tigers)

11. George Perkins (Saracens)

10. Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)

9. Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)

1. Tom West (Wasps)

2. Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)

3. William Stuart (Wasps)

4. Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)

5. Stan South (Harlequins)

6. Archie White (Harlequins)

7. Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)

8. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)

Replacements:

16. Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)

17. Jake Pope (Sale Sharks)

18. Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)

19. Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)

20. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)

21. Jamie Shillcock (Worcester Warriors)

22. Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)

23. Taylor Prell (Yorkshire Carnegie)

U20 Six Nations:

v Scotland

Friday 5 February (8pm)

Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow

Available to view live on englandrugby.com

v Italy

Friday 12 February (7.10pm local time)

Stadio Pacifici, San Dona' Di Piave

v Ireland

Friday 26 February (6.05pm)

Kingston Park, Newcastle

Tickets are available here.

v Wales

Friday 11 March (7.45pm)

Ashton Gate, Bristol

Tickets are available here.

v France

Friday 18 March (6.45pm local time)

Stade du Hameau, Pau