England U20 squad named for Junior World Championship

The England Under-20 squad has been named for this summer’s Junior World Championship in New Zealand. Coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel have picked a 28-man squad that they hope will defend the title England won in France last year.

Captain Callum Braley is amongst seven players with previous JWC experience. He said: “It’s massively exciting to be heading down to New Zealand to defend our title. Rugby is obviously huge over there and there will be some pressure on us, but we will use that as a positive and look to perform as best we can.”

Head coach Walshe added: “We’re pleased with the balance and experience in this squad, and we are confident that they will perform well in each of our five matches. While England U20 are the holders of the trophy, this group hasn’t won anything – we enjoyed a successful Six Nations, and while it was disappointing not to win it, as a group we came on hugely. The key is to keep building on that momentum.”
England start their campaign in Pukehoke on June 2nd against Italy, before games against Australia and Argentina on June 6th and 10th respectively.

England Under 20 squad Forwards
Biyi Alo (Saracens)
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Jonny Hill (Gloucester Rugby)
Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Gus Jones (London Wasps)
Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers)
Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers)
Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)
Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby)

Backs
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain)
Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Nathan Earle (Saracens)
Tom Fowlie (London Irish)
Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues)
Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
Henry Taylor (Loughborough University)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)