Harlequins wing Seb Stegmann and Saracens lock Ben Thomas have been drafted into the starting line-up for the England U20 international against Italy ithis weekend.

They replace Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors) and Gregor Gillanders (Leicester Tigers), who have both been recalled by their Guinness Premiership sides this week.

Stegmann appeared as a replacement in the 28-15 win over Wales last weekend and will now make his first start at this level, while Thomas steps up from the bench.

The other change to the squad on duty in Genoa on Saturday (3pm) sees Andy Saull (Saracens) - a late withdrawal from the side against Wales with a hamstring injury - return among the replacements.

"Gregor Gillanders and Miles Benjamin played very well for us last weekend and it's fantastic for them that they've been called back to be involved in two Guinness Premiership squads," said England U20 coach Nigel Redman.

"They've set the bar high for Ben Thomas and Seb Stegmann, who have been training very well with us and now have to take the step up to international level.

"Our captain Hugo Ellis summed it up this week by making the point that the Wales game is now behind us.

"We've got to build on that game and put a few things right against Italy."

Ellis and Matt Cox both appeared as replacements in the meeting of the two countries at junior international level last season, when England U20 beat Italy U21 30-10 at Bath.

The Azzurri opened this season's U20 Six Nations campaign with a 6-0 defeat against Ireland in Dublin last weekend.

"We've looked at the Italy game and they're an incredibly committed side," said Redman.

"They defend well, chase well, they've got a good pack of forwards and restricting Ireland to two penalties at Dubarry Park is an achievement at a ground which is a very difficult place to play."

England U20 team15 Greig Tonks (Leicester Tigers)14 Noah Cato (Saracens)13 Luke Eves (Bristol Rugby)12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)11 Seb Stegmann (Harlequins)10 Alex Goode (Saracens)9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)1 Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)2 Joe Gray (Northampton Saints)3 Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)4 Ben Thomas (Saracens)5 Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates)6 Jon Fisher (London Irish)7 Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors)8 Hugo Ellis (London Wasps, captain)Replacements16 Scott Freer (Leeds Carnegie)17 Billy Moss (Bath Rugby)18 Andy Saull (Saracens)19 Tom Sargeant (Harlequins)20 Jonny Arr (Worcester Warriors)21 Robert Miller (Newcastle Falcons)22 Dan Norton (Gloucester Rugby)