England u20 24/25 Season

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Epaminondas Pules
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Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

England U20 Men 2024/25 Elite Player Squad

Forwards

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints)

Charlie Barker (Saracens)

Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs)

Thomas Burrow (Sale Sharks)

Tom Dye (Northampton Saints)

Lucas Gulley (Exeter Chiefs)

Reggie Hammick (Saracens)

Kane James (Exeter Chiefs) *

Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks)

Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks)

Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints)

Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks)

Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs)

Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks)

Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons) *

Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints) *

Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks)

Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints)

Billy Sela (Bath Rugby) *

Olamide Sodeke (Saracens) *

Jimmy Staples (Harlequins)

Ollie Streeter (Harlequins)

George Timmins (Bath Rugby)

Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby)

Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby)

Charlie West (Saracens)

Samuel Williams (Leicester Tigers)

Backs

Nicholas Allison (Exeter Chiefs)

Josh Bellamy (Harlequins) *

Jack Bracken (Saracens) *

Conor Byrne (Harlequins)

Benjamin Coen (Exeter Chiefs) *

Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks)

Lucas Friday (Harlequins) *

William Glister (Northampton Saints)

Charlie Griffin (Bath Rugby)

Angus Hall (Saracens) *

Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)

Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers)

Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs)

Frank McMillan (Harlequins)

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints) *

Charlie Myall (Leicester Tigers)

Gethin O’Callaghan (Bristol Bears)

Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby)

George Pearson (Leicester Tigers)

Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons) *

Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs)

Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints)

Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks)

*denotes a player capped in a competitive U20 fixture

England U20 Men’s 2025 Six Nations fixtures

Round 1 – Ireland vs. England – Thursday 30th January – 19:45 GMT kick-off – Venue TBC

Round 2 – England vs. France – Friday 7th February – 20:00 GMT kick-off – Venue TBC

Round 3 – England vs. Scotland – Friday 21st February – 19:15 GMT kick-off – Venue TBC

Round 4 – England vs. Italy – Friday 7th March – 19:45 GMT kick-off – Venue TBC

Round 5 – Wales vs. England – Friday 14th March – 19:30 GMT kick-off – Venue TBC
fivepointer
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Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by fivepointer »

I'm sure EP wont mind if I copy what he wrote about these players after the u18 SA trip. Fair to say he got most calls spot on though there seems to be one or two leftfield picks.

Right, finally getting around to this. There's a lot of buzz around the conveyor belt at the moment, and obviously off the back of a world cup win we want to see that continued success. We're losing some very, very good players from this age group, but their replacements are more than able to step into those huge shoes! So here's some reasons why you should be pretty excited from a players and depth perspective.

Loosehead:

Arguably the weakest position for the upcoming cohort. That is caveated by saying, weak in this crop is not a detrimental statement. It's kind of like saying the least amazing! McEachran, ex of the London Irish parish, has made great waves, and played U19s this last season, and has a full season of adult rugby under his belt. He'll likely be the No1 loosehead this season. In Miller, Mann and Dye we have three very promising looseheads graduating into U20 land, Miller being part of the entire Quins U18 front row that got senior contracts. Josh Mann, probably the standout from that group of recent school leavers.

Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks)
Jamie Miller (Harlequins)
Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Dye (Northampton Saints)

Starter: Ralph McEachran

Hooker:

Oliver was part of the U20 world cup squad as 3rd hooker, but behind him we have just the most ridiculous set of hookers graduating into senior rugby. Everyone will likely know Kepu Tuipolotu, who has mixed between hooker and backrow for Harrow, but very unlikely to play anywhere but hooker at Bath. He and Sela could well form a partnership in BUCS this coming season. If Sela continues to play BUCS. Staples and Longstaff both competed with Kepu for the England 2 shirt, with Longstaff playing England U19s this last season whilst still at school, before moving from Yorkshire Academy to the Sale Sharks Senior Academy. It is really hard to pick between them all, though Kepu edges it, which tells you how good Staples and Longstaff are! Of note also, Tom Davis, who was fabulous for Sale U18s though did not get international recognition, frankly due to the insane talent around his age group. There's good reason why Sale gave him a senior academy contract as well as signing Longstaff. Sol Moody is a year older, but also played England U19, understudying for Longstaff.

Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins)
Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks)
Kepu Tuipolotu (Bath)
Tom Davis (Sale Sharks)
Sol Moody (Exeter Chiefs)

Starter: Kepu Tuipolotu

Tighthead:

Billy Sela needs no introduction at all. A future international if ever there was one! Raymont will offer stiff competition, whilst in Streeter, Graham and Lightbown we have just a conveyor belt of tightheads! Also graduating to senior are Sonny Tongahuia and Tobuna Maka, who have both been around England camps and squads. They are both absolute monsters, if maybe relying on power over technique. If they focus on technique then both could easily make inroads. Regardless they'll be fun to follow.

Billy Sela (Bath)
Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks)
Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks)
Sonny Tongahuia (Northampton Saints)
Tobuna Maka (Leicester Tigers)

Starter: Billy Sela

Lock:

Last season was good. This year is even better. Burrow, Sodeke and Kpoku are still around, but joined by Adegbemile who was a true standout at U18s. Also coming up are Ainsworrth-Cave and Beckerleg, the latter also played England U19 this last year.

Also worth noting a couple of still U18 players who could well get a sniff of U20 rugby in Patrick Hogg and Jonno Balding. Our lock stocks are more than awash with serious talent. Hogg often plays 6 as well, which should delight the board!

Tom Burrow (Sale)
Olamide Sodeke (Saracens)
Junior Kpoku (Racing 92)
Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens)
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints)
Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter) U19
Jonno Balding* (Gloucester)
Patrick Hogg* (Newcastle Falcons)

Starters: Junior Kpoku, Tom Burrow

Backrow:

Plenty of World Cup winning talent still around, although the loss of Carnduff and Michelow will be hard to replace. Expect Pollock to take the captaincy. He may well get club company from Reuben Logan who played U20s this year, with some very good backrow talent graduating. Seb Kelly, brother of Dan, is a very exiciting prospect, as is Treacey who stood out for Bath U18 and England U18 this season. Shand usually occupied the 8 berth, with Treacey shifting to flank. He's signed for Montpellier, but will still be able to play U20s for England like Kpoku. Charlie West is a decent openside, with U18 caps to his name. Will obviously struggle to oust Pollock, but worth keeping an eye on. Kelly, Treacey and West can all play openside.

Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
Kane James (Exeter)
George Timmins (Bath)
Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints)
Connor Treacey (Bath)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks)
Solomon Shand (Montpellier)
Charlie West (Saracens)

Starters: Reuben Logan, Henry Pollock, Kane James

Scrum Half:

Stocks at 9 are in good shape with Archie McParland and also the outstanding Lucas Friday in the mix. Jonny Weimann, who was released by Saracens at 16, has grown hugely at six form and been rewarded with a number of England U18 caps. Worth noting Hanson too, who also played up at England U19 this season.

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints)
Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)

Starter: Archie McParland

Fly Half:

Definitely the weak link in the U20 squad last season, especially with the injuries to Rory Taylor, who is now too old. Bellamy is still there, albeit he dropped down the pecking order. However, Ollie Davies is now properly in the mix. But for injury he would have made the U20 world cup squad. He is a generational talent in terms of skillset. You should be very excited by him. He can also play 12, but you want his hands on the ball as much as possible. Drove Sale and Kirkham especially to real success. We may also see James Linegar play up for experience too. He and Davies could be battling for superiority for years to come.

Josh Bellamy (Harlequins)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers)
James Linegar* (Bath)

Starter: Ollie Davies

Centres:

Where to start! Probably to pointing out that a lot of the centres also play back three and vice versa. You all know Gus Hall, who can play anywhere from 12 out. At U18s he battled Nick Lilley for the 13 shirt, and it was Lilley who always won. Lilley is a classic 13, and is just a joy to watch, often dragging Exeter and England over the line almost single handedly. He's very special, and already called out by Rob Baxter as one to watch. Once again Engand have stardust in the backline, but this season they have the 9s and certainly 10s to truly exploit that! Campbell Ridl is one who also played England U19s last season, and is another behemoth centre, standing at 6'5". We could literally mix and match any of these players and be hyper competitive. We may also see glimpses of still U18s Rawlins and Bateman-Champain, who are the pick of the bunch behind.

Angus Hall (Saracens)
Charlie Myall (Leicester Tigers)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs)
Charlie Griffin (Bath)
Toby Baker (Bristol Bears)
Nick Allison (Exeter Chiefs)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks)
Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs)
Fraser Rawlins* (Saracens)
Felix Bateman-Champain* (Harlequins)

Starters: Gus Hall, Nick Lilley

Back Three:

Pace and skill aplenty out here. Redshaw and Bracken will lead the way, and we may see centres like Hall or Griffin pushed out just to accommodate others. Glister and Byrne are very highly rated, whilst there are a number of purebred wingers who could easily slot in. I would keep an eye on Finn Newton who moved to Toulon post school. Also a note to Sam Winters the hugely talented Bath fullback and Noah Cauori who had a very good U18 South Africa tour. If anyone plays up I suspect it will be Winters. proper good he is.

Jack Bracken (Saracens)
Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons)
Will Glister (Northampton Saints)
Conor Byrne (Harlequins)
Rafe Without (Northampton Saints)
Tyler Offiah (Bath)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers)
Finn Newton (Toulon)
Sam Winters* (Bath)
Noah Caluori* (Exeter Chiefs)

Starters: Jack Bracken, Will Glister, Ben Redshaw

Although picking out who I think would be starting if I picked the side tomorrow, and all being fit, don't be surprised if the 6 Nations squad is a mixed bag as a few players may well be called into first team action. And I have left off quite a few pother players who would be worth noting, but it'd be a very long list indeed. Suffice to say, the England U20 side this year will be highly competitive in terms of getting picked, and very competitive on the pitch!
Epaminondas Pules
Posts: 3561
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

Yeah one or two I’m surprised by, but it is a strong year group.

To note as well, they don’t need to name Kpoku in the squad to have access to him because he’s playing in France. Same with Shand and Finn Newton if they want to play them.
Epaminondas Pules
Posts: 3561
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

Just following up on this with some insight on those newer names.

Forwards:
Charlie Barker (Saracens) is a decent second row. Been around the England U18 camps, but with the raft of options in that space he's not gone all the way to international honours. Played alongside Tayo in the Sarries U18 pack this last season. A slightly surprising inclusion ahead of Tayo who has been capped and was a stalwart of the England U18 side.

Charlie West (Saracens) & Reggie Hammick (Saracens) are two dynamic backrows also coming out of Saracens academy. West, like Pollock is proper quick, and abrasive. Hammick is very physical. Had a cracking season for Harrow, though didn't get the national call up, whereas West did.

Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints) was a really leftfield choice, mainly because he was out for so long with an ACL injury. Loosehead prop that is highly thought of at Saints.

Samuel Williams (Leicester Tigers) is a backrow at Tigers. Has played across the backrow at times and is an abrasive player and then some. First time national recognition.

Lucas Gulley (Exeter Chiefs) is a hooker who is a year out of school rugby and has been just getting on with his game in BUCS rugby for Exeter Uni. This one probably surprised me the most.

Backs
Nicholas Allison (Exeter Chiefs) is a South African born unit in the outside centre channel. Not seen much of him, but has also been in that Exeter Uni BUCS side.

Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers) has played England U19 last season, and usually features across the back three, favouring fullback. Formerly Midlands West academy, before that went south.

Frank McMillan (Harlequins) centre or winger in the Quins ranks. Good footwork, matched with power and pace. Made his debut on loan for Richmond last week. Came off the bench and scored twice. Which was nice.

Gethin O’Callaghan (Bristol Bears) is a Welsh U19 international, that grew up and was schooled in Wales. Big and powerful. Strong offload game. Didn't see this one, with him being a complete product of the Welsh system as English as the day is long.
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Puja
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Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Puja »

Epaminondas Pules wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2024 9:29 am Just following up on this with some insight on those newer names.
Thanks EP. Always really appreciate your commentary on these things.

Puja
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FKAS
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Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

Williams at Tigers is clearly rated, he featured in both pre season games and was a travelling reserve for the game Vs Chiefs.
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