James Pater, Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, Oliver Scola and Sonny Tonga’uiha have been picked in the England U20 matchday squad for Friday night‘s cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens clash with Wales.
The Northampton Saints quartet will be treading on familiar turf in Northampton as the Guinness Men’s U20 Six Nations gets underway – tickets are still available by clicking HERE.
Fresh from his eye-catching exploits at fly-half for Saints – scoring 15 points in the East Midlands Derby victory over Leicester Tigers last weekend in the PREM Rugby Cup – Pater returns to his familiar position at full-back for his England U20 debut.
Scola, another key performer in that 40-22 success, packs down at loosehead prop, and the final Saints starter is Ainsworth-Cave at blindside flanker.
Tonga’uiha, who made an impactful appearance from the bench against Tigers, is primed to make his England U20 debut as a replacement.
“From the first whistle against Wales, we want to ignite our campaign and hunt together with real purpose and clarity,” said England U20 head coach Andy Titterrell.
“The connections within this group, the way they support one another and their commitment to being relentless will define how we play. We want to show positive intent in a very difficult opening fixture in Northampton.
“If the players take true ownership of their roles and embrace the enjoyment that comes from competing for each other, we’ll be in a strong place to start the tournament.”
ENGLAND U20 vs WALES U20
Guiness Men’s U20 Six Nations
Friday 6 February, 2026
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 7.45pm
15 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, uncapped)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 4 caps)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 8 caps)
12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 4 caps)
11 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 3 caps)
10 Luke Davidson (Saracens, Michaelhouse, uncapped)
9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 8 caps)
1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 9 caps)
2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, uncapped)
3 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 2 caps)
4 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
5 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, uncapped)
6 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 9 caps)
7 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, uncapped)
8 Connor Treacey (C) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 7 caps)
Replacements:
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, uncapped)
17 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, uncapped)
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
19 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, uncapped)
20 Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 2 caps)
21 Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians, uncapped)
22 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, uncapped)
23 Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Bank of England RFC, uncapped)