England rugby union call for Leeds Tykes Dan Lancaster

The teenager, who debuted for Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship last season, will play for Leeds in National One next term after turning down opportunities to join academies at Premiership clubs.

England Under-20s coach Alan Dickens clearly rates him, too, as the player, who can also operate at centre, has been included in his 32-man Elite Player Squad for 2021.

Aside from newly-relegated Saracens’ Harvey Beaton, the son of former England coach Stuart Lancaster is the only representative outside of the Premiership.

Former Leeds and British Lions hooker Andy Titterrell has joined the Under-20s set-up as forwards coach.

Ex-Tykes scrum-half Dickens said: “Selection for the squad has been based on a combination of things: the four previous regional games we had at St George’s Park, the work we do with the club academies and coaches, plus our knowledge of the players within the pathway.

“We can only name 32 in the EPS and there will be some disappointed players, but we have a much wider squad that we know will be involved and will contribute during the year.

“It’s great to have Andy Titterrell join the U20s coaching team. He has a wealth of experience from playing and coaching, having represented England and been on a Lions tour during his playing days.

“I worked with him previously on the 2016 Saxons tour to South Africa and know he’s going to be a valuable member of the U20s management group.”

Just six players included in the squad have been capped previously at Under-20s level – Beaton, Jack Clement, Luke Green, Sam Riley, Tom Roebuck and Jack van Poortvliet – while the RFU has reiterated its belief about how its player pathway programme is a vital development tool for future full international rugby.

Of the 31 players selected in England’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, 81 per cent played for England Under-20s, 77 per cent for England U18s, while 87 per cent came through a club academy.