England Under-20s have named their matchday squad for this Friday’s clash with South Africa, with Northampton Saints’ Jonny Weimann starting while Ollie Scola, Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and Archie McParland begin on the bench.
England began their World Rugby U20 Championship title defence with a resounding 56-19 victory over Scotland on Sunday and will be hoping for more of the same at Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo in Round 2.
Saints dominate the scrum-half space in England’s team as Weimann retains his place in the starting line-up to earn his third cap against the Junior Springboks, and Northampton teammate McParland begins the clash on the bench hoping to earn his seventh cap.
Northampton forward pair of prop Scola and lock Ainsworth-Cave also start the match amongst the replacements to earn their sixth caps.
“Our meeting against Scotland gave us many positive learnings and the boys adapted well to the demands of an opening fixture in the heat against a tough pack,” England pathway scrum and defence coach Nathan Catt said.
“South Africa always promises to be very testing yet exciting fixture. We want our boys to commit to the moment throughout and build strongly together.
”A core principle of our campaign is to make lifelong memories through raising our levels of high performance every week, and this match will be no exception.”
England U20 side v South Africa U20
Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo
Friday 4th July, 2025
Kick-off: 5pm
15 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 13 caps)
14 Ben Redshaw (cc) (Gloucester Rugby, West Park Leeds RFC, 9 caps)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 5 caps)
12 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 4 caps)
11 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 9 caps)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 10 caps)
9 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 2 caps)
1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 6 caps)
2 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 6 caps)
3 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 11 caps)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 15 caps)
5 Tom Burrow (cc) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 6 caps)
6 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 3 caps)
7 Samuel Williams (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Corsairs RFC, 1 cap)
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 15 caps)
Replacements:
16 Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, Sandal RUFC, uncapped)
17 Ollie Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps)
18 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 6 caps)
19 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 14 caps)
20 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 5 caps)
21 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 6 caps)
22 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 3 caps)
23 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped)
