England U20s include nine uncapped players for Georgia tour

New England age-grade boss Mark Mapletoft has named a 29-strong U20s squad for the two-match tour to Georgia ahead of next month’s World Cup in South Africa. The head coach, who earned his stripes during his decade working at Harlequins in a variety of roles, took over this week from Alan Dickens having worked as an assistant to the national team U18s since 2020.

A statement read: “England men’s U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has named his travelling squad ahead of a two-match tour of Georgia against its U20 side, which is part of England's preparations for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa next month.

“The 29-player squad will travel to Georgia for the matches on Saturday, May 27, and Thursday, June 1, providing a competitive opportunity for the side to continue to develop ahead of the global tournament.

“Leicester’s Lewis Chessum captains the squad, which includes nine uncapped England U20 players. However, all have been part of the England Rugby pathways programme which is a vital development tool for future international rugby players: of the 48 men’s players capped for England last year, 42 played England U20.

“The World Rugby U20 Championship will be held for the first time in four years, running from June 24 to July 14, and featuring the top 12 U20 rugby nations. Played over five match days, England are in Pool B where they will face Australia, Ireland and Fiji.”

Mapletoft said: “Congratulations to all players selected for the tour of Georgia. These two matches will allow us to test ourselves on the road against a physical outfit with a tight turnaround, just like we will face at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa."

England men’s U20 squad (*uncapped player)

Forwards (16):

Afolabi Fasogbon (London Irish)

Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)

Chandler Cunningham-South (London Irish)

Craig Wright (Northampton Saints)*

Ethan Clarke (Harlequins)*

Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers)

Finn Theobald-Thomas (Gloucester)

Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)

Harry Browne (Harlequins)

Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby)*

James Halliwell (Bristol Bears)*

Lewis Chessum (Leicester Tigers)

Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)

Nathan Michelow (Saracens)*

Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks)

Zach Carr (Harlequins)*

Backs (13):

Alex Wills (Sale Sharks)*

Benjamin Waghorn (Harlequins)

Cassius Cleaves (Harlequins)

Charlie Bracken (Saracens)

Connor Slevin (Harlequins)*

Jacob Cusick (Leicester Tigers)

Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)

Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)

Louie Johnson (Newcastle Falcons)

Nye Thomas (Sale Sharks)

Rekeiti Ma'asi-White (Sale Sharks)

Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)

Toby Thame (Northampton Saints)*