Seven of Northampton Saints’ brightest prospects have been selected within England’s 30-player squad for the 2026 Junior World Championship in Georgia.
Aidan Ainsworth-Cave, Jack Lewis, Oliver Scola, Sonny Tonga’uiha, James Pater, Hugh Shields, and Jonny Weimann are all in line to represent England Under-20s in Georgia this summer.
Head coach Andy Titterrell’s side open their Junior World Championship schedule against Ireland on Saturday 27th June (12:30 BST kick-off) at Avchala Stadium. All England fixtures will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV in the UK.
Ainsworth-Cave, Scola, and Weimann return for their second Junior World Championship campaign, while Lewis and Shields are two of five uncapped players named in the squad.
2024 champions England will be based in the Georgian capital for the duration of the pool stages, with Matchday 2 against USA taking place on Thursday 2nd July (15:00 BST kick-off) and the Matchday 3 contest against Argentina scheduled for Tuesday 7th July (12:30 BST kick-off).
Andy Titterrell said: “We’re incredibly proud to name this final squad for the Junior World Championship in Georgia. Selection has been driven by real competitiveness for places, and that’s been evident in the relentlessness the players have shown every day in their preparation.
“Earning a spot in this group is a credit to the ownership they’ve taken of their development and the way they’ve supported one another throughout the pathway.
“The next month is a continuation of the journey we’ve been on together. We’ve worked hard to build genuine connections between players and staff, creating an environment where enjoyment and high performance sit side by side. That cohesion will be crucial as we head into a demanding, but exciting tournament.
“We know that if we’re to achieve top honours, we must earn that right. That comes through committed, courageous choices on and off the field and a collective desire to keep getting better. This squad understands what it means to represent England, and they’re ready to embrace the challenge ahead with real purpose and belief.”
England U20 squad for Junior World Championship
FORWARDS
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 14 caps)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 2 caps)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 3 caps)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 7 caps)
Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)
Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 14 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, 5 caps)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, 5 caps)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 6 caps)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps)
Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 12 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 5 caps)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 3 caps)
BACKS
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 13 caps)
Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 4 caps)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 9 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 13 caps)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, 5 caps)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 8 caps)
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 8 caps)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 1 cap)
England U20 Men’s 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship fixtures
England vs Ireland: Saturday 27th June, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
England vs USA: Thursday 2nd July, 15:00 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Argentina vs England: Tuesday 7th July, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Matchday 4: Sunday 12th July & Monday 13th July – AIA Arena, Kutaisi or Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Matchday 5: Friday 17th July & Saturday 18th July – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi or Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi