The Northampton Saints trio of Oli Scola, Sonny Tonga’uiha and Jack Lewis are all selected to start for England U20s as they take on the USA this Thursday (2 July, kick-off: 3pm BST), with Jonny Weimann and Hugh Shields set to come off the bench.
Tonga’uiha, Lewis and Shields were all involved in England’s 34-27 Pool C Round 1 opening victory over Ireland on Saturday, with Scola and Weimann in line for their first appearances of the tournament against the USA.
Speaking ahead of Matchday 2, assistant coach Kevin Sorrell said: “We’re pleased with the opener against Ireland, and this week we’ve challenged players to level up with greater decisiveness and energy in everything we do.
“The work behind-the-scenes from staff and players alike has been excellent, particularly in a short turnaround. The players understand that standards must continue to rise for a different challenge against USA.”
England U20s Squad to face USA
15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 9 caps)
14 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, 1 cap)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 14 caps)
12 Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
11 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)
10 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 4 caps)
9 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap)
1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 14 caps)
2 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 2 caps)
3 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 6 caps)
4 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 4 caps)
5 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
6 Seb Kelly (C) (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 8 caps)
7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, 1 cap)
8 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)
Replacements
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)
18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 7 caps)
19 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 6 caps)
20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 13 caps)
21 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 8 caps)
22 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 1 cap)
23 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 2 caps)