Archie McParland and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave both start for England Under-20s on Wednesday (9 July, kick-off: 5pm BST), as the side take on Australia in the third round of the World Rugby U20 Championship – while Northampton Saints teammates Ollie Scola and Jonny Weimann both begin the clash on the bench.
England sit second in Pool A after they were defeated by 32-22 South Africa last time out and will need to turn that result around this weekend if they are to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Scrum-half McParland starts for the first time in the tournament and will earn his eighth cap at this level in the process – with fellow Saint Weimann shifting to the replacements for this week’s clash.
In the forwards, Ainsworth-Cave makes his maiden start as he wears No. 6 against Australia when England U20s feature at Payanini Centre on Wednesday, while prop Scola is set to earn a seventh England cap from amongst the replacements.
“We were disappointed in how the last game transpired against South Africa, as we left many opportunities out there,” said England U20s backs and skills coach Will Parkin.
“With that said, our leadership group have rallied to refocus our players’ efforts over the last three days. The squad’s ownership to recognise there are big improvements to be made has been vital, as well as impressive.
“The squad have raised our performance levels in training and put an emphasis on refining our efficiency in the opposing 22 against what will be another strong challenge in Australia.”
England U20 vs Australia U20
Payanini Centre, Verona
Wednesday 9 July, 2025
Kick-off: 5pm (BST)
15 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 14 caps)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 1 cap)
13 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 4 caps)
12 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 5 caps)
11 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 2 caps)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 11 caps)
9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 7 caps)
1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 7 caps)
2 Kepu Tuipulotu (cc) (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 7 caps)
3 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 12 caps)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 16 caps)
5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 16 caps)
6 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 6 caps)
7 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 4 caps)
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 16 caps)
Replacements:
16 Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, Sandal RUFC, 1 cap)
17 Ollie Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 6 caps)
18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, uncapped)
19 Tom Burrow (cc) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 6 caps)
20 Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RFC, uncapped)
21 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 3 caps)
22 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 10 caps)
23 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 1 cap)
