The 26-man squad was named today ahead of Saturday's final warm-up match against France at Henley. The team will be coached by Nigel Redman and Mark Mapletoft and includes six players who helped England to a best-ever third place at last year’s tournament in Dubai.

Up front, number eight and captain Hugo Ellis (London Wasps) is joined by lock Ben Thomas (Saracens) and flanker Andy Saull (Saracens). Also returning are scrum-halves Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs) and Joe Simpson (London Wasps) and fly-half Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes and Hymer’s College).

There are two additions to the squad that beat Italy 18-11 in January in the shape of Worcester Warriors wing Miles Benjamin and Northampton Saints scrum-half Danny Pointon.

England’s preparation for the tournament was disrupted by rain that forced the cancellation of this month’s game against Wales at Aberavon.

But former Bath, England and Lions lock Redman is looking forward to seeing his players rise to the challenge of improving on last year’s performance and several of his players – notably back-row forwards Ellis, Saull and Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors) have appeared in England’s Under-20 side this season.

England face group games against Samoa, Argentina and New Zealand in Belfast before the knock-out stages that climax in the finals day on April 21.

David Smith played for England U20 against Wales

“We’ve been disrupted because of the lack of games this season so this week is about preparing for France but also about getting ready for the games against Samoa, Argentina and New Zealand,” said Redman. “We have some known quantities and some unknown quantities after the Italy game, which was nearly three months ago now. Going to a World Championship is a big step up from club level as we face five games in three-and-a-half weeks and it’ll be fascinating to see how they cope in that situation.

“But Matthew Cox, Andy Saull and Hugo Ellis all performed well for the Under-20s against France and I’m looking forward to seeing how they carry that experience through to the World Championships.”

England open their Belfast campaign against Samoa at Shaw’s Bridge on April 5 (7.30pm), Argentina at Belfast Harlequins on April 9 (7.30pm) and last year’s beaten finalists New Zealand at Ravenhill on April 13 (5.30pm).

England finished third in Dubai on the try-count after their play-off with France ended in a 12-12 draw.

ENGLAND UNDER-19 SQUAD
Backs:
Tom Bedford (Exeter Chiefs)
Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors)
Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs)
Noah Cato (Saracens)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes & Hymers College)
Gareth Griffiths (Bristol Rugby)
Greg King (Worcester Warriors & Hartpury College)
Danny Pointon (Northampton Saints)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
David Smith (Northampton Saints)
Alex Tait (Newcastle Falcons)

Forwards:
Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Matt Cox (Worcester Warriors)
Garth Dew (Sale Sharks)
Hugo Ellis (London Wasps)
Jon Fisher (London Irish & Wellington College)
Scott Freer (Leeds Tykes)
Greg Gillanders (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates)
Billy Moss (Bath Rugby)
Andy Saull (Saracens)
Jack Steadman (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Thomas (Saracens)
Joe Williams (Gloucester Rugby)