Six Chiefs named in England squad for U20 World Championships

Exeter Chiefs have six players named in Mark Mapletoft's England U20 squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. 

Louie Gulley, Kane James and Ben Coen, members of the squad that claimed the World Championship crown in last summer's tournament, all return to the setup for this year.  They are joined by Nick Lilley, Nic Allison and Campbell Ridl, who will be making their bow in the tournament, having impressed earlier in the year during the Six Nations. 

The Chiefs see the highest number of players named of any team, a good indication of the talent coming through the pathway in Devon.

The reigning champions open their tournament against Scotland on Sunday 29th June at the Payanini Centre, Verona after successive wins against Wales (47-14) and Georgia (43-14) in recent uncapped preparation fixtures.

Newcastle Falcons’ Ben Redshaw and Tom Burrow of Sale Sharks are the confirmed co-captains for the U20 Men. Redshaw, a previous U18 captain, assumed the role for the first time at U20 level in Pontypool this month whilst Burrow led the team in the 2025 U20 Six Nations.

Redshaw, alongside Josh Bellamy (Harlequins), Jack Bracken (Saracens), Junior Kpoku (Racing 92), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby) and Olamide Sodeke (Saracens), return for their second World Rugby U20 Championship.

Sale Sharks duo Alfie Longstaff and Seb Kelly, Saracens’ Noah Caluori and Asa Stewart-Harris, Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Ollie Streeter (Harlequins) and Sam Williams (Leicester Tigers) are set to earn their first caps at U20 level, all having played in the uncapped friendlies this month.

England U18 Men’s assistant coach Will Parkin will link up with the U20 team this summer, specialising in backs and attack coaching in Italy. The backroom staff also welcome new additions Filippo Nason (Strength & Conditioning), Will Arnel (Physiotherapy) and Chris Oliver (Physiotherapy) for the tour to Italy.

“We’re very proud to announce our squad this week, the staff and I feel we are best prepared for the challenge ahead in Italy with this strong cohort,” Mark Mapletoft said.

“Over the course of the last three months, there has been a renewed desire shown in our U19 and U20 games that we know will excite England fans.

“Our attitude and ambitions have reset, with our primary focus of making lifelong memories with a special group that we know will demand the highest expectations of each other.”

England U20 Men’s squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship(includes current club, community club and U20 caps)

Forwards (17)

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

Tom Burrow (cc) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 5 caps)

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

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

Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RFC, uncapped)

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

Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, Sandal RUFC, uncapped)

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

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

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

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

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

Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, uncapped)

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

Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 3 caps)

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

Sam Williams (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Corsairs RFC, uncapped)

Backs (13)

Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 4 caps)

Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps)

Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 8 caps)

Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped)

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

Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, uncapped)

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

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

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

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

Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 2 caps)

Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians, uncapped)

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

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