ENGLAND under 20s will head to Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium to play France in their third 2013 Six Nations game on Friday, February 22.

The Red Rose side kick-off next year’s competition at home to Scotland before heading to Ireland. France are up next for England, who then finish with Italy at home and Wales away.

Head coach Rob Hunter’s side last played at Sixways during the 2011 Six Nations campaign, again against France, beating their cross-channel rivals 19-8 on the way to a Grand Slam.

Worcester currently have wing Josh Watkins and full-back Ben Howard in the England Under 20 EPS set-up.

Hunter said: “Worcester is a great venue and we’ll look forward to taking on France there. Matches between the two sides are always close, they edged it 12-8 last season but it’s a new season and a new squad.

“We’re excited to work with the players. We have a great mix of guys – some who played for us last season, some who have progressed from the under 18s and some who have forced their way in from outside those groups.”

Warriors managing director Charlie Little said: “We are absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity to once again host international rugby at Sixways. We are thrilled that the next generation of young English rugby talent will be on show and that we continue to develop our strong links with England under 20s.

They last visited us in 2011, when they again played their French counterparts, and before that we hosted all three of England’s home internationals in 2009.

“Our ambition remains to make Sixways the ideal place to watch top-class rugby and this announcement, on the back of the news we will once again host the LV= Cup final early next year, is another endorsement for the work we are doing.

“We now want people from across the region and country to join us and show their support for rugby and the future of the England rugby team.”

Tickets for the clash go on sale today from the Warriors Box Office.

Adult tickets are £12 and concessions (juniors, students, OAPs) are £6.

A selection of ‘gold’ tickets are also available for £17.50. For more information call 01905-454183.