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

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.

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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
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“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.”

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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)

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Tom 1 hour ago
Eben Etzebeth staring at huge ban after another red card

Well… I'd say the modern Boks are not a particularly violent team but it's impossible to getaway with much violence on an international rugby field now. The Boks of yesteryear were at times brutal. Whether or not the reputation is justified, they do have that reputation amongst a lot of rugby fans.

As for point 2.. it's a tricky one, I don't want to slander a nation here. I'm no “Bok hater”, but I've gotta say some Bok fans are the most obnoxious fans I've personally encountered. Notably this didn't seem to be a problem until the Boks became the best in the world. I agree that fans from other nations can be awful too, every nation has it's fair share of d-heads but going on any rugby forum or YouTube comments is quite tedious these days owing to the legions of partisan Bok fans who jump onto every thread regardless of if it's about the Boks to tell everyone how much better the Boks are than everyone else. A Saffa once told me that SA is a troubled country and because of that the Boks are a symbol of SA victory against all odds so that's why the fans are so passionate. At least you recognise that there is an issue with some Bok fans, that's more than many are willing to concede. Whatever the reason, it's just boring is all I can tell you and I can say coming from a place of absolute honesty I encounter far, far more arrogance and obnoxious behaviour from Bok fans than any other fanbase - the kiwis were nothing like this when they were on top. So look much love to SA, I bear no hatred of ill will, I just want to have conversations about rugby without being told constantly that the Boks are the best team in the world and all coaches except Rassie are useless etc



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