U20 JWC

[Epaminondas Pules]

England will face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Pool C. The U20 Six Nations champions open their campaign against the South Americans on Saturday 29 June at Athlone Stadium (13:00 BST kick-off).

Tournament runs from 29 June - 19 July.
Taking place in Western Cape, South Africa.
All of England’s pool fixtures will be held at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, continuing their schedule with ties against Fiji (4 July, 15:30 BST kick-off) and the tournament hosts on 9 July (18:00 BST kick-off). The Danie Craven Stadium and Cape Town Stadium will also be hosting fixtures in the tournament, including the semi-finals and final being played at the latter venue.

The 2024 Championship will be the first international competition to feature the three new law amendments implemented to promote ball in flow and diversity of attacking options, while supporting player welfare. Six law trials will also operate, including the simplified red card sanction process, approved by the World Rugby Executive Board.

"With each of our pool stage meetings outside of our regular Six Nations opponents, it serves as the perfect opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best the tournament has to offer. With each nation bringing their own flavour and challenges to our trip, we’re excited for what’s to come,” said head coach Mark Mapletoft.

"Our pre-tournament summer schedule, which opened with last weekend's encounter against Coventry and continues with our Tests against Georgia next month, is designed to put our team into a touring environment and out of their comfort zone to strengthen our foundation of brotherhood.

"I speak on behalf of the coaches and squad when I say we're relishing our return to South Africa this summer to give our team the opportunity to flourish on the biggest stage."

Law amendments: https://www.world.rugby/media-zone/advisory/927372
Law trials: https://www.world.rugby/news/927370/sim ... ns-in-2024

[Epaminondas Pules]

ENGLAND U20 SQUAD FOR GEORGIA TOUR

Forwards
Joe Bailey
Finn Carnduff
Harvey Cuckson
Afolabi Fasogbon
James Halliwel
James Isaacs
Kane James
Junior Kpoku
Nathan Michelow
Cameron Miell*
Asher Opoku-Fordjour
Henry Pollock
Billy Sela
Olamide Sodeke
George Timmins*
Craig Wright

Backs
Ollie Allan*
Josh Bellamy
Jack Bracken* **
Toby Cousins
Angus Hall* **
Ioan Jones
Sean Kerr
George Makepeace-Cubitt
Archie McParland
Charlie Myall*
Ben Redshaw
Oli Spencer
Ben Waghorn
Alex Wills

* - uncapped
** - U18 eligible
GEORGIA TOUR FIXTURES

7 June - Georgia U20 v England U20 - Avchala Stadium - 15:00 BST
12 June - Georgia U20 v England U20 - Avchala Stadium - 15:00 BST

Interesting to see a couple of U18s in there. Angus Hall played on Saturday against Cov and scored two.

[Puja]

This looks to be such a ridiculously good U20s cohort.

Puja

[FKAS]

Are we expecting anymore to join up post Prem semi finals?

Can't think of any bar maybe Harris though he's injured.

[Timbo]

Good to see Craig Wright back after his injury during the 6N’s. Really impressive player & thought we missed him even if results were good.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Main loss is Rory Taylor who is still unavailable. Flyhalf is my biggest worry.

Wright back is good news.

[FKAS]

Main loss is Rory Taylor who is still unavailable. Flyhalf is my biggest worry.

Wright back is good news.

Sean Kerr is a good kicker from the centres that should remove some pressure.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Main loss is Rory Taylor who is still unavailable. Flyhalf is my biggest worry.

Wright back is good news.

Sean Kerr is a good kicker from the centres that should remove some pressure.

Yeah, he certainly is, but it's the overall playmaking and direction. Taylor is a level up from the others. Other than that it's a bloody strong squad. With Taylor, or even say Ollie Davies from the U18s this would look that bit better.

[Which Tyler]

Yeah, he certainly is, but it's the overall playmaking and direction. Taylor is a level up from the others. Other than that it's a bloody strong squad. With Taylor, or even say Ollie Davies from the U18s this would look that bit better.

I'm sad that you didn't name-check Linegar, or even Sam Harris who may or may not be fit in time for the JRWC (and yes, I know he plays FB for Bath, and last year for U20s, but he's FH for Bath Uni)

[Epaminondas Pules]

Yeah, he certainly is, but it's the overall playmaking and direction. Taylor is a level up from the others. Other than that it's a bloody strong squad. With Taylor, or even say Ollie Davies from the U18s this would look that bit better.

I'm sad that you didn't name-check Linegar, or even Sam Harris who may or may not be fit in time for the JRWC (and yes, I know he plays FB for Bath, and last year for U20s, but he's FH for Bath Uni)

Sam Harris is too old now isn't he? Thought he was 21 now. 2003 birth? I'll google it in a mo.

Ollie Davies is probably a step too far, but Linegar is a year younger still. Big ask for a 17 year old to play U20s. Big ask for an 18 year old to be fair. More my concern over Bellamy and Makepeace-Cubbitt, than necessarily who I'd have in their place.

[Which Tyler]

03/09/2003, so turns 21 after the tournie - I'm never sure when the cut-off ages are.

Agreed, it's a big ask, but equally (and IMO) Linegar is simply better than Davies, and being a back, I'm personally less concerned about the physicality. George Ford, Both Watsons, Ben Youngs, Dave Doherty, Ben White all made their Prem debuts before turning 18.

[Epaminondas Pules]

03/09/2003, so turns 21 after the tournie - I'm never sure when the cut-off ages are.

Agreed, it's a big ask, but equally (and IMO) Linegar is simply better than Davies, and being a back, I'm personally less concerned about the physicality. George Ford, Both Watsons, Ben Youngs, Dave Doherty, Ben White all made their Prem debuts before turning 18.

If memory serves you have to be a 2004 birth. So second half of school year.

I'd disagree. Davies is a better player as it stands. He's just an outstanding player, with a simply superb skill level. He's been unlucky with injury in this calendar year, hence missing the 6N festival, but was the best player (back certainly) at U18 in the country by quite some distance prior to injury. He does also have a year on Linegar, who again looks a bloody excellent talent. No doubt. I'm delighted that both are coming through. Linegar will get the summer South Africa tour as No1, before his upper 6th year as top dog, whilst Davies will be making transition into U20s.

[fivepointer]

As we saw in the 6Ns 10 is the weakest spot in the squad. We look well covered everywhere else.

[Epaminondas Pules]

England U20 Men’s team to face Georgia (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)



15 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps)

14 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 6 caps)

13 Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 5 caps)

12 Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 4 caps)

11 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped)

10 George Makepeace-Cubitt (Northampton Saints, Reading Abbey RFC, 4 caps)

9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Mold RFC, 5 caps)

1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 14 caps)

2 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 5 caps)

3 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 6 caps)

4 Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 5 caps)

5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 4 caps)

6 Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 15 caps)

7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 5 caps)

8 Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 10 caps)

Replacements

16 James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 3 caps)

17 Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, uncapped)

18 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 11 caps)

19 James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury RFC, 10 caps)

20 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 4 caps)

21 Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby, Mold RFC, 2 caps)

22 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 4 caps)

23 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RFC, uncapped)

24 Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, uncapped)

25 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 4 caps)

26 Charlie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Maidenhead Rugby Club, uncapped)

27 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 4 caps)

28 Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans Rugby Club, uncapped)

29 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 7 caps)

30 Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 7 caps)

[Slater582]

Angus Hall must be a talent if he's still U18 eligible.

Pity about Rory Taylor but good to see the other best players are available.

[Puja]

Angus Hall must be a talent if he's still U18 eligible.

Especially to be picked over Wills, who I rate pretty highly.

Puja

[fivepointer]

England U20 Men secure a 7-31 win in Tbilisi.

TRIES: Pollock, Spencer, Michelow, Opoku-Fordjour, Jones

[Epaminondas Pules]

Angus Hall must be a talent if he's still U18 eligible.

Pity about Rory Taylor but good to see the other best players are available.

He is, can play anywhere from 12 out. Bracken also U18.

[Epaminondas Pules]

England U20 Men’s team to face Georgia (includes current club, community club and U20 caps):

15 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 4 caps)

14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans RFC, uncapped)

13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped)

12 Charlie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Maidenhead Rugby Club, uncapped)

11 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 7 caps)

10 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 4 caps)

9 Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, uncapped)

1 Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, uncapped)

2 James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 3 caps)

3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 11 caps)

4 Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby, Mold RFC, 2 caps)

5 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 4 caps)

6 Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 15 caps)

7 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RFC, uncapped)

8 Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 10 caps)

Replacements:

16 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 5 caps)

17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 14 caps)

18 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 6 caps)

19 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 4 caps)

20 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 5 caps)

21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)

22 George Makepeace-Cubitt (Northampton Saints, Reading Abbey RFC, 4 caps)

23 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps)

24 James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury RFC, 10 caps)

25 Arthur Green (Bath Rugby, Frome RFC, uncapped)

26 Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 4 caps)

27 Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 5 caps)

28 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 6 caps)

29 Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 5 caps)

30 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 4 caps)

31 Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 7 caps)

32 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Mold RFC, 5 caps)

Three U18s in the squad this time with Friday on the bench.

[Scrumhead]

Forgive my ignorance here … I thought Bracken was a 9?

Are there two Bracken kids or is it a change of position?

[Banquo]

Forgive my ignorance here … I thought Bracken was a 9?

Are there two Bracken kids or is it a change of position?

Charlie Bracken is a 9, spent this season at Sarries 2's.

[Mellsblue]

Forgive my ignorance here … I thought Bracken was a 9?

Are there two Bracken kids or is it a change of position?

Charlie Bracken is a 9, spent this season at Sarries 2's.

Ampthill?

[Banquo]

Forgive my ignorance here … I thought Bracken was a 9?

Are there two Bracken kids or is it a change of position?

Charlie Bracken is a 9, spent this season at Sarries 2's.

Ampthill?

yup!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Forgive my ignorance here … I thought Bracken was a 9?

Are there two Bracken kids or is it a change of position?

There’s actually three of them. Charlie is a 9, Jack a back three player and Lochlan who looks like he could play anywhere across the backline.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Bit of a thumping 45 v 17. Quality from Georgia, poor discipline from England and a raft of changes.