Six Northampton Saints players have been picked to start for England U20 against Italy this Friday at the Stadio San Michele, Calvisano (kick-off: 5.30pm).
James Pater, Hugh Shields, Oliver Scola, Sonny Tonga’uiha, Aiden Ainsworth-Cave and Jack Lewis have been selected for the uncapped warm-up fixture ahead of the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship will be streamed live on the Federazione Italiana Rugby YouTube channel.
England U20 Men open their Junior World Championship schedule against Ireland on Saturday 2 June (kick-off: 12:30pm). All England fixtures will be broadcast on RugbyPass TV in the UK.
Head coach Andy Titterrell said: “We were really pleased with the energy and enjoyment the group showed in the win over Leicester, but this week is about being even more relentless as we continue to build toward Georgia.
“It’s great to welcome back more players from club action, which naturally raises the level of competition and reinforces that every player here must take ownership of their role and push hard for a place in the final squad.
“Italy will provide a strong test in a humid environment, and with the support and connection we’re developing as a group, it’s another important step in shaping a performance we can be proud of.”
England U20 Men’s side to face Italy U20 Men
15 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, 5 caps)
14 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 13 caps)
12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 9 caps)
11 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 1 cap)
10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 13 caps)
1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 14 caps)
2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, 5 caps)
3 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps)
4 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 3 caps)
5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 14 caps)
6 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 3 caps)
7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, uncapped)
8 Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 12 caps)
Replacements:
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 6 caps)
19 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
20 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)
21 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap)
22 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 4 caps)
23 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped)
24 Theo Povey (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, uncapped)
25 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
26 Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Hertford RFC, uncapped)