Lilley and Newman to face USA for England U20s

Exeter Chiefs duo Nick Lilley and George Newman have both been selected to start for England U20s as they take on USA on Thursday (KO 15:00 BST).

As 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia reaches round two, England go into this week’s match on the back of a 34-27 victory over Ireland.

Sale Sharks back-row forward Seb Kelly captains the U20s for the first time on his ninth cap for the side. Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins) is awarded his first U20s cap and partners Lilley in midfield. Cunnison is one of five changes to the backline with George Pearson, Newman, Tyler Offiah and Finn Keylock named in the starting XV.

With head coach Andy Titterrell refreshing the pack, Jerold Gorleku, Freddie Ogden-Metherell and George Marsh will make their first Junior World Championship starts this week at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.

Jonny Weimann is reintegrated into the matchday squad as a replacement and if utilised from the bench, Kealan Freeman-Price could make his maiden Junior World Championship appearance.

England U20s continue their Junior World Championship campaign against Argentina on Tuesday, 7 July. All England fixtures will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV in the UK.

Assistant coach Kevin Sorrell said: “We’re pleased with the opener against Ireland, and this week we’ve challenged players to level up with greater decisiveness and energy in everything we do.

“The work behind-the-scenes from staff and players alike has been excellent, particularly in a short turnaround. The players understand that standards must continue to rise for a different challenge against USA.”

ENGLAND U20s

15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 9 caps)
14 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, 1 cap)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 14 caps)
12 Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
11 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)
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 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 6 caps)
4 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 4 caps)
5 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
6 Seb Kelly (C) (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 8 caps)
7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, 1 cap)
8 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)

Replacements:
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)
18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 7 caps)
19 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 6 caps)
20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 13 caps)
1 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 8 caps) 2
22 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 1 cap)
23 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 2 caps)