Chiefs included in England U20s team for Leicester friendly

A trio of young Exeter Chiefs players have been selected in the England U20s side to face a Leicester Tigers U23s team at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday evening.

Head coach Andy Titterrell has named a 27-strong squad for the friendly fixture which marks the opening to England U20s’ summer schedule as they prepare for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship competition later this year.

All three Chiefs are included in the starting XV with Nick Lilley and Ollie Batson partnering up in the centre-field while George Newman helps to pull the strings from scrum-half.

Titterrell said: “This opening summer fixture is all about development, ownership and enjoyment, and we’ve seen outstanding energy from the group as they take their first steps towards the Junior World Championship.

“Competition for places is fierce and rightly so - every session and warm-up game is an opportunity for players to put their hand up, underline their intent and stake a claim for the final squad.”

The game will kick off at 19:30 on Friday evening in Leicester.

England U20:

15 Theo Povey (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, uncapped)

14 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)

13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 13 caps)

12 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped)

11 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 1 cap)

10 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 4 caps)

9 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap)

1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 14 caps)

2 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 2 caps)

3 Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby, Alcester, 1 cap)

4 Rory McKnight (Bath Rugby, Chobham RFC, uncapped)

5 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 3 caps)

6 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 3 caps)

7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, uncapped)

8 George Marsh (c) (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)

Replacements:

16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)

17 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, 5 caps)

18 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)

19 George Bolam (Newcastle Red Bulls, Horden & Peterlee and Durham City RFC, uncapped)

20 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 14 caps)

21 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 12 caps)

22 Isaac Mears (Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby, uncapped)

23 Luke Davidson (Saracens, Michaelhouse, 1 cap)

24 Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Hertford RFC, uncapped)

25 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)

26 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)

27 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)