ENGLAND will play their South Africa counterparts at Sixways on Friday, May 11 (7.30pm), ahead of the World Under 20 Championship.

The match against the Junior Springboks will be crucial preparation ahead of the tournament in France from May 30 until June 17.

England were beaten finalists in last year’s competition in Georgia and finished runners-up at the 2018 Under 20s Six Nations.

Playing in Béziers this summer, 2016 winners England will face Argentina, Italy and Scotland in Pool B.

England have faced the Junior Springboks in successive semi-finals in the tournament, defeating them 39-17 in 2016 and 24-22 in 2017.

Warriors managing director Gus Mackay said: “We are delighted to once again be hosting an international match at Sixways as we have seen in the past there is certainly an appetite for international rugby in this region.

“We hope people will get behind this exciting encounter and come out to support some of the future stars of world rugby in action at Sixways.”

Meanwhile, Warriors centre Ollie Lawrence starts for England under 18s against Wales in Pontypridd on Sunday (4.15pm).

England beat Scotland 64-0 at Murrayfield last weekend and several players return including Lawrence who has also turned out for the under 20s this season.

They then play the Six Nations Festival in Wales against Scotland at Ystrad Mynach (March 31, noon), Italy at Cardiff Arms Park (April 4, noon) and France at the same venue (April 8, 5pm).