U20 JWC

[Epaminondas Pules]

It's jobs for the boys. Conor and his lackeys impress me less and less with each move. Nice guy and all that, but he's about as useful as tits on a fish!

[FKAS]

It's jobs for the boys. Conor and his lackeys impress me less and less with each move. Nice guy and all that, but he's about as useful as tits on a fish!

If he's on a fixed term contract then it's potentially the only way to move him out of day to day coaching without it being constructive dismissal.

[Banquo]

Promoted for failing with the most talented group. But he’s Conor’s mate, so that’s ok. As repercussions go it’s a bit shit!

That said I’m delighted to have Sorrell!

But I’d have still broken the mould and got Fletch and the gang back!

Kevin’s lad has come to play with us- good lad, nails

[fivepointer]

The former Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins and London Irish fly-half will now work on further aligning the England U17 to U20 programmes whilst liaising closely with Steve Borthwick’s England men’s team and Prem Rugby clubs on players of national interest who have graduated from the age-group national teams in recent years. Mapletoft will also lead the England Men’s A side as head coach, who kick-off their season against the All Blacks XV at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 8th November.

Bloody hell.

[Which Tyler]

I like the joining up, but not the person heading it it

[Epaminondas Pules]

The former Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins and London Irish fly-half will now work on further aligning the England U17 to U20 programmes whilst liaising closely with Steve Borthwick’s England men’s team and Prem Rugby clubs on players of national interest who have graduated from the age-group national teams in recent years. Mapletoft will also lead the England Men’s A side as head coach, who kick-off their season against the All Blacks XV at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 8th November.

Bloody hell.

Jobs for the boys.....

[Puja]

The former Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins and London Irish fly-half will now work on further aligning the England U17 to U20 programmes whilst liaising closely with Steve Borthwick’s England men’s team and Prem Rugby clubs on players of national interest who have graduated from the age-group national teams in recent years. Mapletoft will also lead the England Men’s A side as head coach, who kick-off their season against the All Blacks XV at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 8th November.

Bloody hell.

Jobs for the boys.....

Mind, I'll take it if the trade-off is having Blackett coaching for England.

Puja

[FKAS]

England U20 Men’s 2025/26 Elite Player Squad:



Forwards
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Barker (Saracens, uncapped)
Sam Bland (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
George Knowles (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, uncapped)
Alan Poku (Saracens, uncapped)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ethan Surrey (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)

Backs
Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Noah Caluori (Saracens, 4 caps)
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Luke Davidson (Saracens, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Seva Kava (Saracens, uncapped)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, uncapped)
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, uncapped)

[Which Tyler]

England U20 Men’s 2025/26 Elite Player Squad:
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

About flipping time!

[FKAS]

England U20 Men’s 2025/26 Elite Player Squad:
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

About flipping time!

Tom Threlfall in there as well. He played and scored for Tigers the other weekend Vs Nottingham. Hopefully means the backline will really fire this season and we'll play in the right areas.

[Epaminondas Pules]

England U20 Men’s 2025/26 Elite Player Squad:



Forwards
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Barker (Saracens, uncapped)
Sam Bland (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
George Knowles (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, uncapped)
Alan Poku (Saracens, uncapped)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ethan Surrey (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)

Backs
Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Noah Caluori (Saracens, 4 caps)
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Luke Davidson (Saracens, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Seva Kava (Saracens, uncapped)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, uncapped)
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, uncapped)

There's a few very unlucky lads who have missed out, like Sean Sharp, for example, or Tayo Adegbemile. But boy, oh boy, that backline is dreamy!!!

[Mr Mwenda]

Six Ollie's, four Georges.

[FKAS]

Also Oliver, Olly, Oli and Ollie(s).

[Epaminondas Pules]

By position:

Loosehead:
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Alan Poku (Saracens, uncapped)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

Hooker:
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
George Knowles (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, uncapped)

Tighthead:
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Sam Bland (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, 2 caps)

Lock:
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Barker (Saracens, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, uncapped)
Ethan Surrey (Bristol Bears, uncapped)

Backrow:
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)


Scrum Half:
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, 8 caps)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)

Fly Half:
Luke Davidson (Saracens, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

Centre:
Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, uncapped)
Seva Kava (Saracens, uncapped)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, uncapped)

Back Three:
Noah Caluori (Saracens, 4 caps)
Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

As ever a few multi-positional players. Porbably most notably Gorleku who can play across the front row.

[fivepointer]

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints), Noah Caluori (Saracens), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks), Lucas Friday (Harlequins), Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks), Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs), Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby), George Pearson (Leicester Tigers), Oli Scola (Northampton Saints), Ollie Streeter (Harlequins), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby) and Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints) are the 13 previously-capped U20 internationals returning for the 2025/26 campaign.

Twenty-four EPS members have progressed from U18 Men’s 2024/25 squad, whilst newcomers Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins), Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers), Seva Kava (Saracens) and Freddie St John (Northampton Saints) are set to earn their first pathway caps this season.

[Epaminondas Pules]

If I were picking a side from that

1 - Alan Poku. Scola will probably get the ticket, but his technique was found wanting last season. Poku is a prodigious talent
2 - Jimmy Staples. Gorleku will push him hard, but Staples extra year at this level I think will win out. He and Longstaff battled for the reserve hooker berth behind Tuipolotu all through age grades.
3 - Ollie Streeter. The obvious choice here.
4 - Aiden Ainsworth-Cave. By far the most experienced lock. Quite lightweight, but will probably get the starting spot at 4.
5 - Jonno Balding. Just a mega talented behemouth of a player.
6 - Patrick Hogg. Absolute standout at the lower age grades. Can play lock as well, but I fully expect to see him at 6.
7 - Connor Treacy. Edges Seb Kelly for 7,
8 - George Marsh. Tate Williams could push him, but the wrecking ball will get the spot. He's got subtlety in his game too, but by Christ he makes yards in contact!
9 - Lucas Friday. If fit he's the standout. The others are all OK, but Friday is a few inches above them.
10 - Ollie Davies. I think they will start with Davies, but wouldn't be surprised if they play both Linegar and Davies. Davies can play 12 and 15.
11 - Jack Cotgreave. The extra Prem experience probably gets him the nod over Offiah I suspect.
12 - Will Knight. Plays 12 and 13. Can't see him ousting Lilley from the 13 shirt, so he'd come in one to 12.
13 - Nick Lilley. Most experienced of the backline. He and Knight could easily be the other way around, but I think they will go this way on the teamsheet.
14 - Noah Caluori. Pretty obvious choice.
15 - Sam Winters. I like Pearson, and he has the extra experience, but Winters is just magic. Equally it could be Ollie Davies with Linegar at 10.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints), Noah Caluori (Saracens), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks), Lucas Friday (Harlequins), Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks), Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs), Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby), George Pearson (Leicester Tigers), Oli Scola (Northampton Saints), Ollie Streeter (Harlequins), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby) and Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints) are the 13 previously-capped U20 internationals returning for the 2025/26 campaign.

Twenty-four EPS members have progressed from U18 Men’s 2024/25 squad, whilst newcomers Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins), Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers), Seva Kava (Saracens) and Freddie St John (Northampton Saints) are set to earn their first pathway caps this season.

Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins - powerful inside centre. Had a big season for Bishop Wand school, where his teammate for club and country Jerod Gorleku also went. Centre has been a super competitive area in this age grade group.
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers) - This one surprised me the most in terms of call ups. Powerful specimen on the wing. Come through the Tigers pathway at Brooksby as many others have.
Seva Kava (Saracens) - A bit of a Jonathan Joseph type centre with a bit more power. Been stellar for Millfield in his U6th year and shone brightly on the schools sevens circuit.
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints) - another powerhouse inside centre. Been around training squads at age grade, but never made the final cut. Was big for both Saints and Oakham.

[Which Tyler]

I think you know I'd go with Linegar & Davies in the midfield; but I suspect that Mapletoft will start with Davies, and have Linegar on the bench - maybe playing both for the final 25 minutes for a few matches.

Lilley absolutely starts, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's skipper. Going forward, it's likely to be between him and Treacy - but with CT only just stepping up to this level, Lilley surely starts off - even if I dislike backs being captain

[Epaminondas Pules]

I think you know I'd go with Linegar & Davies in the midfield; but I suspect that Mapletoft will start with Davies, and have Linegar on the bench - maybe playing both for the final 25 minutes for a few matches.

Lilley absolutely starts, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's skipper. Going forward, it's likely to be between him and Treacy - but with CT only just stepping up to this level, Lilley surely starts off - even if I dislike backs being captain

Thankfully Mapletoft has moved on now, albeit promoted for some insane reason, and we have the absolute personality that is Andy Titterall! For avoidance of doubt I am being sarcastic. He's a bit, erm, meh.

It is hard to call. I'd be tempted with both, but then you have to drop someone else. I think you're right with Lilley as captain. That said, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they gave Hogg the armband. It is only his first year up, but he's captained the U18s plenty.

[Which Tyler]

Hogg - dammit - I knew I was missing someone obvious.

Mapletoft's position confuses me a little; seems to be in Connor's role, with Connor still there - I kind of have him as DoR for each age-grade team in my head - and thus in charge of selection. That probably is wrong though.
I don't have a great deal of faith in anyone on the coaching crew TBH

[Epaminondas Pules]

Hogg - dammit - I knew I was missing someone obvious.

Mapletoft's position confuses me a little; seems to be in Connor's role, with Connor still there - I kind of have him as DoR for each age-grade team in my head - and thus in charge of selection. That probably is wrong though.
I don't have a great deal of faith in anyone on the coaching crew TBH

Amen! I'd also include the management crew.

[Which Tyler]

Blurred lines

[FKAS]

Sorrell is a good coach for the attack and backs at under 20 level. It was an area of massive weakness last season so I'm hoping vast improvements will come there. If nothing else during his time at Sarries the backline there worked like clockwork even if it wasn't champagne rugby stuff.

[fivepointer]

Sorrell is a good coach for the attack and backs at under 20 level. It was an area of massive weakness last season so I'm hoping vast improvements will come there. If nothing else during his time at Sarries the backline there worked like clockwork even if it wasn't champagne rugby stuff.

Here's hoping.

A lot of talent went to waste last season I felt.

[fivepointer]

Notice that Spencer and Batson come in from the summers U18s so thats quite an endorsement. Thought Batson looked pretty good.