Emilien Gailleton says the bond within the France team has made the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series all the more memorable.

They certainly clicked on the pitch in Round 1, running in five tries as they beat Under-20 Six Nations champions Ireland 42-21 at the Payanini Centre. 

Turning his attention to Le Crunch, Gailleton believes that the outcome of the match against Engalnd could be decided by the team who best handles the tight turnaround between fixtures.

“It’s only five days,” he explained. “So you have to recuperate really well and be fully prepared. 

“It’s going to be really hard but I’m really excited to play against England, it’s always a special game for me.”

Gailleton was born in Croydon before moving to France aged three where he quickly picked up rugby playing for Cahors from the age of five.

He captained his country at U20s level in the Six Nations earlier this year despite being one of the younger players in the team, aged just 18. That campaign included a win over Wednesday’s opponents England, a narrow 26-22 success in Perpignan.

And his battle with fellow outside centre Ethan Grayson, son of former Northampton Saints coach Paul, could go a long way to deciding the outcome of this encounter. 

No French player made more metres in their opening Summer Series fixture than Gailleton, and Grayson is clearly a player Dickens rates highly, having been one of only four players to complete all 80 minutes in England’s 30-22 defeat to South Africa. 

As well as finding success on the field, Gailleton and his teammates are determined to enjoy their time together and hope to create some special memories from their three weeks in Verona. 

“It’s so exciting, especially with these boys,” he gleamed.

“We have a really good, friendly group so it was great to play with them and to win the first game.”

Gailleton scored France’s second try in the seismic win over Ireland, finishing over a flowing team move after a quick thinking from Louis Bielle-Biarrey and a selfless pass from fellow centre Nicolas Depoortere. 

He was denied a further two scores courtesy of the Television Match Official, but did not seem too bothered by that personal disappointment. 

“A hat-trick! It is not easy, especially against Ireland, a big team,” he joked.

“But we won so that’s the main thing.”

Reflecting further on the win over Ireland, he was delighted with the team’s overall performance and will be hoping for more of the same against their fiercest rivals. 

“We started really well and then had more chances to score,” he said.

“Then around 30 minutes it was quite hard, we had a yellow card and they came back well. 

“But then after half time, we started well again and that won us the game.”

The Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series takes place from 24 June – 12 July. Fans can watch every match live. For more information visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJHm6BFw-9JRA1CMekNLwMg