‘World Cup warm-up’ England U20s confirm squad to play Coventry

England U20s have a tough test on their hands on Saturday as they face Coventry in the RFU Championship. The Pathway men’s team is preparing for the upcoming U20 Rugby World Cup in South Africa in 2024.

England U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has named a new captain for the match and Sale Sharks have named Tom Burrow to lead the side. Burrow captained the Men’s U19s in their last matches against France and Italy. The lock, who has gained loan experience with Fylde and Sale FC this season, also has seven Men’s U18 caps to his name.

He is joined in the starting line-up by fellow U20 2024 elite squad members Will Glister and Reuben Logan (both Northampton Saints), Leicester Tigers trio Charlie Myall, Ollie Allan and Cam Miell, as well as recent Men’s U19 player George Timmins from Bath. Rugby.

The match comes on the final weekend of the Championship season, when Coventry were originally scheduled to face Jersey Reds. The West Midlands side, who celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2024, are managed by former England U20 Men’s player Alex Rae and are currently second in the Championship.

Mapletoft’s men continue their summer schedule with a two-Test tour of Georgia next month, taking on their U20 counterparts on June 7 and 12 at the Avchala Stadium.

Andy Titterell said: “This week marks the start of our summer program in the Men’s U20 program ahead of what will be an exciting few months.

“We have incorporated many new faces into our wider squad this week who are experiencing their first taste of rugby at U20 level. It has been an incredibly rewarding few days to see the progress made from being involved in the U18 and U19 programs and Mark, the coaches and I are encouraged by our preparation.

“Our principles of speed, attachment and space have remained consistent to provide additional alignment with our U20 capped and uncapped players, which is imperative when we face a tough challenge in Coventry this week.”

ENGLAND U20 MEN’S TEAM WILL PLAY COVENTRY RFC

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

14 Will Glister (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, unrestricted)

13 Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 4 caps)

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury Broncos Rugby Club, 9 caps)

4 Harvey Cuckson (Bath Rugby, Mold RFC, 1 cap)

5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RFC, unlimited)

6 Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints, Beaconsfield Rugby Football Club, unrestricted)

7 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, Unlimited)

8 Zach Carr (Harlequins, Ironsides Rugby Club, 5 caps)

REPLACEMENT

16 Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle Rugby Club, 4 caps)

17 Ethan Clarke (Harlequins, Worthing RFC, 2 caps)

18 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 5 caps)

19 Harry Browne (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 4 caps)

20 Arthur Green (Bath Rugby, Frome RFC, unlimited)

21 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 4 caps)

22 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, unrestricted)

23 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, unlimited)

24 Malelili Satala (Leicester Tigers, Trentham RUFC, unlimited)

25 Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Old Wimbledonians RFC, Uncapped)

ENGLAND U20 MEN’S U20 RUGBY WORLD PRE-WORLD

May 25 – Coventry RFC vs. England U20 Men – Butts Park Arena – 15:00 BST kick off

June 7 – Georgia U20 vs England U20 Men – Avchala Stadium – Kick-off time TBC

June 12 – Georgia U20 vs England U20 Men – Avchala Stadium – Kick-off time TBC