England u20 team to play New Zealand

Head coach Andy Titterrell has named the England U20 Men’s team to face New Zealand in the third-place play-off final of the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia.  
 

England conclude their campaign at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi this Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off) with a first meeting with the Baby Blacks since 2017. The fixture will be available to watch live on RugbyPass TV and Premier Sports in the UK.     

Northampton Saints second-row forward Aiden Ainsworth-Cave captains the U20 Men’s side on his 18th and final U20 cap.  

Jonny Weimann of Northampton Saints is in line for his first start for the U20 Men this season at scrum-half, with Finn Keylock (Saracens), Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints) and George Marsh (Leicester Tigers) named in the starting XV.  

Saracens’ Alan Poku and Zac Finch, alongside Gloucester Rugby’s Freddie Ogden-Metherell and Kealan Freeman-Price, are named on the replacements bench and could make their first appearances since a 68-40 Matchday 2 victory over USA.    

Ahead of England U20 Men’s last Junior World Championship outing, Andy Titterrell said: "The group has earned this opportunity through the work they've put in across the tournament, and the commitment shown by players and staff to build strong connections, take ownership of their development and support one another every step of the way has been imperative.  

“We know New Zealand will provide another huge test, but there's a real belief within our team and a unity in how we've prepared, with everyone aligned on finishing the competition strongly.  

“This fixture is a chance to bring together everything we've worked on as a team and deliver a performance that reflects who we are and what we've built throughout the Championship." 

England U20 Men’s squad to face New Zealand (includes current club, community club and previous U20 caps) 

15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 12 caps) 

14 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 10 caps) 

13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 17 caps) 

12 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 7 caps) 

11 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 4 caps) 

10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 4 caps) 

9 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 10 caps) 

1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 17 caps) 

2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, 8 caps) 

3 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 10 caps) 

4 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 8 caps) 

5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (c) (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 17 caps) 

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

7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, 2 caps) 

8 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 8 caps) 

Replacements 

16 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 5 caps) 

17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, 2 caps) 

18 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 8 caps) 

19 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 4 caps) 

20 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 3 caps) 

21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 16 caps) 

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

23 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, 2 caps)

England U20 Men’s 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship fixtures and results  

(Warm-up friendly) Leicester Tigers U23 38-54 England U20 Men – Friday 5th June, 19:30 BST – Mattioli Woods Welford Road  

(Warm-up friendly) Italy U20 Men 24-19 England U20 Men – Friday 12th June, 17:30 BST – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano  

England 34-27 Ireland – Saturday 27th June, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  

England 68-40 USA – Thursday 2nd July, 15:00 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  

Argentina 38-40 England – Tuesday 7th July, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  

South Africa 53-37 England – Monday 13th July, 17:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  

New Zealand vs. England - Saturday 18th July, 15:00 BST – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi