‘Tournament opener’ – England squad confirmed for U20 World Cup opener against Argentina

The first England U20 Men’s Matchday 23 of the 2024 Rugby U20 World Cup has been confirmed as Mark Mapletoft’s men prepare to take on the challenge of Argentina.

Finn Carnduff continues his leadership role as captain of the U20 Men after guiding his country to Under-20 Six Nations glory for the first time in three years in March. The Leicester Tigers man has since made his full Gallagher Premiership debut, appearing in a Heineken Champions Cup match against Leinster Rugby.

Wing Jack Bracken (Saracens) and scrum-half Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers) earn their first competitive U20 Men’s caps for England against Alvaro Galindo’s team. Replacements Cam Miell (Leicester Tigers), Lucas Friday (Harlequins) and Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs) could also be in line for their first U20 appearances.

Eighteen of the 23 matchdays featured Mapletoft in the recent Under-20 Six Nations campaign, with seven returning for their second U20 Rugby World Cup in South Africa this summer. Following the announcement of the U20 men’s squad, Exeter Chiefs’ Louie Gulley joins the team, replacing Newcastle Falcons’ Jacob Oliver in the touring party for the remainder of the tournament.

The Pathway side have claimed victory in three previous meetings with Argentina at the U20 Championships, with Ben Curry and Marcus Smith shining in a 39-18 victory for England in their last encounter in 2018. Looking ahead to Saturday’s match, Mark Mapletoft spoke of the team’s anticipation of returning to the international stage at Athlone Stadium.

“The coaches and I are encouraged by the ownership this group has taken during training,” he said.

“Their impressive effort made selection no easy task, and I would like to congratulate everyone on their work ethic and determination. We look forward to these high standards being maintained by our replacements, who will energize the group in what will be an extremely demanding opening match against Argentina.

“Our boys are eager to take the first positive step this Saturday and continue their exemplary display of Brotherhood in a match scenario this week.”

England U20 men’s team takes on Argentina (including current club, community club and U20 caps)

15 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps)

14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans RFC, uncapped)

13 Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby, 5 caps)

12 Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 4 caps)

11 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 7 caps)

10 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 4 caps)

9 Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, uncapped)

1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 14 caps)

2 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 5 caps)

3 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 5 caps)

4 Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 5 caps)

5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 4 caps)

6 Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 15 caps)

7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 5 caps)

8 Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 10 caps)

Replacements

16 James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 3 caps)

17 Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, uncapped)

18 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 11 caps)

19 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 4 caps)

20 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 4 caps)

21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, uncapped)

22 Benjamin Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, uncapped)

23 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 4 caps)

England U20 Men’s Rugby World Cup U20 2024

Matchday 1 (June 29) – England vs. Argentina – Athlone Stadium – (kick-off 1:00 PM BST)

Matchday 2 (4th July) – England vs. Fiji – Athlone Stadium – (kick-off 3:30 PM BST)

Matchday 3 (July 9) – South Africa vs. England – Athlone Stadium – (kick-off 6:00 PM BST)

Knockout matches

Match day 4 (Sunday July 14)

Matchday 5 (Final and classification matches, Friday 19 July)

England U20 Men take on Los Pumitas at Athlone Stadium this Saturday (29th, kick-off 1pm BST). The match can be watched live on RugbyPass TV.