Lilley to start for England U20s in semi-final

Exeter Chiefs centre Nick Lilley has been selected to start for England U20s as they play their semi-final on Monday evening (KO 17:30 BST).

For the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship knockout match, England will face South Africa for their seventh semi-final clash against the Baby Boks.

The starting line-up is unchanged from that which beat Argentina U20s 40-38 in the Englishmen’s final Pool C match.

Bath Rugby’s Connor Treacey will wear the captain’s armband for what will be England’s 13th Junior World Championship semi-final appearance. Chiefs man Lilley will link up with Gloucester’s Will Knight in the centre partnership.

Assistant coach Gareth Harris said: “After three challenging pool-stage encounters, we’ve continued to strengthen the connections across the group, building greater belief, ownership and unity in the way we approach each day.

“This week’s preparation has been centred on supporting one another to be increasingly decisive in key moments and maintaining our focus on continually levelling up our performance.

“We’re excited by the opportunity ahead and look forward to seeing this squad represent England with the same commitment, energy and togetherness they’ve shown throughout the tournament.”

The game will be broadcast live from Tbilisi on RugbyPass TV and Premier Sports in the UK.

England U20s:

15 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, 7 caps)

14 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 9 caps)

13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 16 caps)

12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 11 caps)

11 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 3 caps)

10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 3 caps)

9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 15 caps)

1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 16 caps)

2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, 7 caps)

3 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 9 caps)

4 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 7 caps)

5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 16 caps)

6 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 5 caps)

7 Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 10 caps)

8 Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 15 caps)

Replacements

16 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 4 caps)

17 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, 7 caps)

18 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 7 caps)

19 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 6 caps)

20 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 7 caps)

21 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 9 caps)

22 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 6 caps)

23 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 11 caps)