The Arena is one of three stadiums, alongside Sandy Park in Exeter and Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, that have been confirmed to host England’s three home fixtures in the 2017 campaign.

The schedule of fixtures replicates the senior teams, with England kicking off the Championship against France at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday 4th February. (12pm KO)

An away fixture against defending champions and Grand Slam winners Wales follows before England play Italy at Darlington Mowden Park.

England’s penultimate game of the tournament will be against Scotland on Saturday 11th March at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton, scheduled for a 6:15pm start. The side then finish their campaign in Dublin, Ireland

Danny Brown, head of Arena events said: “We are delighted England Rugby have decided to return once again to one of the most spectacular rugby arena’s in the country.

“The huge success and following we received at both the counties fixture and the Double Header has proved the appetite for rugby in the North East and where better to host the game than in a 27,000 seater stadium.

“We will once again look to put on a spectacle off the pitch whilst we know the England and Italian teams will do so on the pitch.

“Many of the players as we have seen before will become fully capped players for England and Italy, you only have to look at Paul Hill who played for DMP and is now a familiar face in the England set up.”

England U20 Coach Rory Teague said: “We have a lot of hard work to put in from now until February and it’s important we make sure the squad are aware and prepared for the intensity that is required of them at this level. The opportunity to represent your country in a special competition like the Six Nations is a real honour for any player.
“The support we receive wherever we play across the country is fantastic and these different environments and new grounds allow us to challenge the players in a number of ways.

“It will be a special occasion playing at Sandy Park for the first time as England U20 and an excellent crowd can always be expected in Northampton. We received brilliant support in Newcastle last year and I’m sure it will be the same in Darlington, it is great that England U20 can play there again.”

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 1st December. Ticket pricing, hospitality and Group booking prices will be confirmed prior to tickets going on sale.

The Arena hosted its first ever rugby international in 2014 when England Counties took on Ireland Club XV in which the visitors won 23-22 win in front of over 6000 supporters.

In 2015 the club secured a first for rugby, when it was chosen to host the England Double Header, the first outside Twickenham, as World Champions England U20’s and England Ladies took on their counterparts from North of the Border in front of 7500 spectators.

England Under-20s Six Nations fixtures:
England v France: Saturday 4th February – Sandy Park, Exeter (KO 12:00pm)
Wales v England: Friday 10th February – Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay (KO 7:15pm)
England v Italy: Friday 24th February – Darlington Mowden Park (KO 7:45pm)
England v Scotland: Saturday 11th March – Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton (KO 6:15pm)
Ireland v England: Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin. Date and time TBC