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Three rugby dynasties repped in England, Scotland sides for World Rugby U20 opener
By Ian Cameron
England and Scotland have named their teams for Sunday’s opening match of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Verona, Italy.
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The reigning champions, England, will kick off their campaign at the Payanini Centre at 14:30 BST, with the match streamed live and free on RugbyPass TV. Head coach Mark Mapletoft has named a side featuring two debutants and co-captain Tom Burrow leading the team from the second row.
Notably, England wingers Jack Bracken and Tyler Offiah both follow in the footsteps of famous rugby names. Bracken is the son of former England scrum-half and 2003 World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, while Offiah is the son of rugby league great Martin Offiah. Scotland No.8 Reuben Logan also continues a proud legacy as the son of former Scotland international Kenny Logan and broadcaster Gabby Logan.
Ben Redshaw, the squad’s other co-captain, is named among the replacements, while Gloucester’s Will Knight and Leicester Tigers’ Samuel Williams are in line for their first U20 caps.
Mapletoft said: “Scotland present a very strong threat as the opening act of our tournament. Our pool is a challenging one and our disciplined approach will be required from minute one in the Verona heat. Our team want to create their own story this summer and are determined to make lifelong memories, starting this Sunday.”
England U20 to face Scotland:
15. Josh Bellamy
14. Jack Bracken
13. Nick Lilley
12. Will Knight
11. Tyler Offiah
10. Ben Coen
9. Jonny Weimann
1. Ralph McEachran
2. Louie Gulley
3. Tye Raymont
4. Tom Burrow (captain)
5. Junior Kpoku
6. George Timmins
7. Samuel Williams
8. Kane James
Replacements:
16. Kepu Tuipulotu
17. Oli Scola
18. Vilikesa Sela
19. Olamide Sodeke
20. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
21. Archie McParland
22. Campbell Ridl
23. Ben Redshaw
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Scotland U20 head coach Kenny Murray has named Johnny Ventisei as captain, with co-captain Freddy Douglas ruled out due to concussion.
The Scottish side features the potential debut of Oliver Finlayson-Russell, while Jack Hocking returns from a long-term injury to take a spot on the bench. Montpellier’s Charlie Moss starts at blindside flanker, and Northampton’s Reuben Logan anchors the back row at number eight.
Murray said: “We saw in the U20 Six Nations how good this England side can be. This is where we want to be, competing against the best teams at this level, and we want to put in a performance that shows what we can do.”
Scotland U20 to face England:
15. Jack Brown
14. Nairn Moncrieff
13. Johnny Ventisei (captain)
12. Kerr Yule
11. Fergus Watson
10. Matthew Urwin
9. Noah Cowan
1. Jake Shearer
2. Joe Roberts
3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty
4. Bart Godsell
5. Dan Halkon
6. Charlie Moss
7. Oliver Duncan
8. Reuben Logan
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Replacements:
16. Seb Stephen
17. Oliver McKenna
18. Jamie Stewart
19. Dylan Cockburn
20. Mark Fyffe
21. Oliver Finlayson-Russell
22. Hector Patterson
23. Jack Hocking
The match kicks off at 2:30pm BST on Sunday and is available live on RugbyPass TV.