Five Exeter Chiefs to Represent England at U20 Rugby Championship

Louie Gulley, Kane James, Ben Coen, Nick Lilley and Campbell Ridl have all been named in the match day 23 for the England U20 World Championship opener against Scotland.

Reigning champions, England, open their tournament at the Payanini Centre, Verona, Italy this Sunday (29th), kicking-off at 14:30 BST. The match will be streamed live and free on RugbyPass TV.

Co-captain Tom Burrow leads the team in his first U20 Championship appearance, with fellow captain Ben Redshaw amongst the replacements in Veneto.

Gloucester Rugby’s Will Knight and Samuel Williams of Leicester Tigers are awarded their capped debuts for the U20 Men against their Scottish counterparts.

England continue their campaign against South Africa next Friday (4th) at the Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo (17:00 BST kick-off).

Mark Mapletoft said: “Scotland present a very strong threat as the opening act of our tournament; our pool is a challenging one and our disciplined approach will be required from minute one in the Verona heat.

“Preparations in Georgia and Italy have been demanding but our staff have been excellent in best preparing the squad for this week and beyond.

“Our team want to create their own story this summer and are determined to make lifelong memories, starting this Sunday.”

England U20 Men team to face Scotland (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)

15 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps)

14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 8 caps)

13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 4 caps)

12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, uncapped)

11 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)

10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 9 caps)

9 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 1 cap)

1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 5 caps)

2 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 5 caps)

3 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps)

4 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 5 caps)

5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 13 caps)

6 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 5 caps)

7 Samuel Williams (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Corsairs RFC, uncapped)

8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 14 caps)

Replacements

16 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 5 caps)

17 Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 4 caps)

18 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 10 caps)

19 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 14 caps)

20 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 4 caps)

21 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 5 caps)

22 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 2 caps)

23 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 8 caps)

England’s 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures (all available to stream live on RugbyPass TV)

England vs. Scotland - Sunday 29th June, 14:30 BST - Payanini Centre, Verona

England vs. South Africa - Friday 4th July, 17:00 BST - Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo

England vs. Australia - Wednesday 9th July, 17:00 BST - Payanini Centre, Verona

Placing/semi-final fixtures - Monday 14th July (KO TBC) - Payanini Centre, Verona and Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana

Play-off/final fixtures - Saturday 19th July (KO TBC) - Stadio San Michele, Calvisano and Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo