ALEX Day has been named in England’s Under-20 Elite Player Squad who will compete in the 6 Nations in the New Year and then head to South Africa for the IRB Junior World Championship next June.

The former St Joseph’s College pupil in Ipswich has just come back from an Under-18s tour of Australia where England were unbeaten.

And after beginning his first contract with the Northampton Saints, Day, a former Colchester youth, can look forward to further national honours after being named in the 32-man squad for the season ahead.

Speaking about his current crop of youngsters, Under-20s coach Rob Hunter said: “We’re delighted with the players in our latest squad. We welcome 12 players who played at Under-18 level last season, some of whom have just returned from beating Australia in their own back yard, and we welcome back 11 who played for us last time round.

“It’s an experienced group, but also an exciting, skilful and powerful group. Competition for places will be high, but that’s just what you want.”

Recent graduates of the Under-20 set up include Rugby World Cup 2011 squad members Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes, Alex Corbisiero and Joe Simpson.