19 - 24

England name squad for U20 world title defence with 8 champions returning

33 days ago

Racing92's English lock Junior Kpoku (C) tries to break through Stade Francais' defence during the French TOP 14 Rugby Union match between Stade Francais and Racing 92 at Jean Bouin stadium in Paris, on November 24, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

England U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has named his 30-player squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship, with six uncapped players in the squad.

England will arrive in Italy as reigning champions, and will be led by Sale Sharks lock Tom Burrow and Newcastle Falcons’ Gloucester-bound full-back Ben Redshaw.

The six uncapped players in the squad, Alfie Longstaff, Seb Kelly, Noah Caluori, Asa Stewart-Harris, Will Knight, Ollie Streeter and Sam Williams, all featured in the recent warm-up victories over Wales and Georgia, though they were uncapped fixtures.

Redshaw is one of eight players – Josh Bellamy, Jack Bracken, Ben Coen, Kane James, Junior Kpoku, Vilikesa Sela and Olamide Sodeke – that featured in the victorious world championship campaign in South Africa last year.

Fixture

World Rugby U20 Championship

England U20

56 - 19

Full-time

Scotland U20

All Stats and Data

“We’re very proud to announce our squad this week, the staff and I feel we are best prepared for the challenge ahead in Italy with this strong cohort,” Mapletoft said.

“Over the course of the last three months, there’s been a renewed desire shown in our U19 and U20 games that we know will excite England fans.

“Our attitude and ambitions have reset, with our primary focus of making lifelong memories with a special group that we know will demand the highest expectations of each other.”

England U20 Men’s squad
Forwards
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Tom Burrow (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, 13 caps)
Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, 14 caps)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, uncapped)
George Timmins (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
Sam Williams (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

Backs
Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, 12 caps)
Jack Bracken (Saracens, 8 caps)
Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)
Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, 8 caps)
Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

News, stats, videos and more! Download the new RugbyPass app, in collaboration with the British and Irish Lions, on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Lions Share | Episode 4

Zimbabwe vs Namibia | Rugby Africa Cup Final | Full Match Replay

USA vs Fiji | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

Comments

1 Comment

fl 33 days ago

shocked that Cotgreave and Hall aren’t in the squad. I reckon they could both be good enough to make the senior squad atm, let alone the u20s. Presumably Hall must be injured, but Cotgreave just hasn’t got many minutes for the u20s so far. I’m also surprised Ollie Davies isn’t in the squad either - he’s definitely behind Coen and Bellamy in the pecking order so I guess it makes sense to leave him out given the small size of the squad, but his ceiling is extremely high.

Of the players that are included, I guess its a no-brainer that Sela, Kpoku, & Tuipulotu are the ones to watch. I actually don’t think Kpoku has been especially great for the u20s, but obviously he’s been a key part of Racing 92’s season and is still only 19. Really hope he can rise to the occasion this summer - and returns to England before 2027. Sela seems underrated by most people. I suspect the fans banging the drum about Fasogbon don’t realise that Sela was picked ahead of him last year, despite being a year younger. He faces a struggle at senior level given the presence of Stuart, du Toit, and Griffin at but I still think he could be a real contender for the 2027 RWC squad. Obviously Tuipulotu is Tuipulotu. Next year is set to be a breakout year for him at Bath.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

New Zealand are a better team, and better placed to triumph in 2027, with 34-year-old Barrett wearing the number 10 jersey.

LONG READ

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

The Wallabies showed encouraging flashes in the second half of their first Test loss to the Lions, but they can't afford to squander so many opportunities.

LONG READ

The RugbyPass team of the World Rugby U20 Championship

Seven champion Junior Boks and one ferocious Georgian are selected in RugbyPass' pick of the ultimate talent in the age-grade game.

Comments on RugbyPass

HS 16 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

A long read of dmac hate and bb who is just so great… And I just don’t get it, bb made so many mistakes… Couldn’t even find touch with some of his penalties… Hardly ever distributed the ball down the backline and kicked the ball straight into opposition hands for most of the series… I don’t think dmac had the best game ever on Saturday but this is ridiculous, his kicking was actually more accurate and tactical… The problem we had on Saturday was that we kept trying to run through the forwards at the line rather than spread the ball into space when it mattered… I personally think dmac last week was better than bb the week before… The hate this guy gets over and over is just ridiculous…

43 Go to comments

RC 21 minutes ago

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

ABs gonna bring the boks back down to earth I'm sorry

Slaughter at the garden and then pile on the misery in Wellington!!!

4 Go to comments

SK 29 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Beauden Barrett is an exceptional player but Richie Mo’unga will be back in 2026 and will be a major force come 2027. Razor cannot resist Richie Mo’unga who was a big part of the Crusaders success in Super Rugby. Barrett can add value in the squad with his experience and quality but age will take its toll on a player whose X-Factor will only diminish. Yes he may have the vision to unlock space with his kicks, he may retain his killer pass but his pace and physicality will wane and he may make a line break but also may not be able to capitalise on it because he lacks the physical attributes. Come 2027 I think he will be one or 2 years too old. If anything the All Blacks may be better off giving more opportunities to their alternatives in the near future like D-Mac or Love. Right now he starts the match against the Boks at Eden Park and in the Rugby Championship he will be valuable but the All Blacks must look beyond him come the Grand Slam tour.

43 Go to comments

Jacque 32 minutes ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Talking about commentators?what?

38 Go to comments

JP 37 minutes ago

Mick Cleary: 'The soul was not lit up by underwhelming Lions first Test'

Totally agree with the comment below about the MCG being a very poor place to watch rugby. Don’t expect many local (ex-)rugby fans to attend. As a foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels I will be boycotting everything Rugby Australia touches. If you don’t understand this attitude, I suggest you read: “A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels“ by Geoff Parkes.

7 Go to comments

ck 46 minutes ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Your wrong, 2 Sheehan 9 du pont 12 de Allende

38 Go to comments

SK 52 minutes ago

The stat in which the Springboks outperformed everyone fivefold in July

The Boks up the ante physically compared to almost any other team in World Rugby but I agree that the excitement should be tempered. They played against some lower opponents and never really got into top gear. They put them all away though but the Wallabies and All Blacks will provide stern tests

1 Go to comments

d 54 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

agree, and you’d have to reject RM for the same reason; I think Love will prove to be the 10 we have been looking for.

43 Go to comments

SK 57 minutes ago

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

Great article Brett that sums up everything so well. The Wallabies were undercooked coming into this match. They have had such a low key build up and really needed at least one test more. It showed when they were unable to take their chances and conceded several easy chances to the Lions which saw the Lions sprint into a 19 point lead. This game was unexpected. The Wallabies had the better of the stats and nobody thought that would be the case. It was way tighter than the score suggests and I dont believe the Lions took their foot off the pedal. They just lost all fluency, made too many mistakes and the Wallabies found some cohesion and momentum. Both the Lions and Australia must improve. One feels with their pedigree and quality experienced stars the Lions will be more likely to make that improvement. The back 3 of Louw, Keenan and Freeman need to be better and their bench need to stand up. The Wallabies need a fast start. If they get it they can put the pressure on this Lions side which seems to struggle to wrest momentum back when it turns. Keen to see how the second test unfolds.

7 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

I don’t think my comments about New Zealand are unfair.

Just inaccurate?

255 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

He’s playing the long game.

255 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Yes I’ve often though 7s was a dull variant of the game by comparison.

I didn’t think Forests ideas where much chop but was really looking for their evolution as I think even the 15 man game could be a lot more fun. He probably paved the way for R365.

255 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Would have thought it would help international rugby. What makes you think it won’t work?

I’ve always thought 7s was just a way WR got developing nations into the game. I stopped watching it when it went independent from 15s (no longer had the best players) but thought it was doing a good job for those who don’t follow 15s?

It’s just a money dump, a way to raise the profile and get more numbers, if you think its toning back now (I actually really like the format changes and think it will enhance the whole scene) it’s probably because they think its done its job.

255 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Haha this is where we differ. I’m happy with our 10, happy fir WJ and Reiko as wingers with love at 15. Also Happy to see another 10 or 2 come onto the squad tho.

Id like to see more NZ15 games to give guys like Lio-willie some more time at a level above SR. He looks the goods so far tho. Kirifi started looking comfortable in the ABs jersey toward the end of the Hamilton test I felt.

38 Go to comments

johnz 2 hours ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure BB was exempted from that rule himself last time round, because he was off contract in Japan. So if it’s a bendable rule for BB, it should be for others.

43 Go to comments

GP 2 hours ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash