England U20s name 2014 IRB Junior World Championship squad
By RFU Press Office
April 27 2014
ENGLAND Under 20s have named their squad to head to New Zealand for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in Auckland.
Coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel will be hoping to defend the title they won last June in France, and have named seven players with previous JWC experience – including captain Callum Braley. England kick off their campaign on June 2against Italy at the ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe before facing Australia on June 6 at the QBE Stadium, Auckland, before taking on Argentina on June 10, again at the QBE Stadium. Head Coach Walshe said: “We’re pleased with the balance and experience in this squad, and we are confident that they will perform well in each of our five matches. While England U20 are the holders of the trophy, this group hasn’t won anything – we enjoyed a successful Six Nations, and while it was disappointing not to win it, as a group we came on hugely. The key is to keep building on that momentum.” Forwards Coach Peel said: “Our focus is on that first game against Italy – we have a warm up match and a camp in Newcastle prior to flying out, but the plan is to build towards that opening match. The games come thick and fast in this tournament, we’ve got a very tough group but we’re excited by that challenge.” Captain Callum Braley added: “It’s massively exciting to be heading down to New Zealand to defend our title. Rugby is obviously huge over there and there will be some pressure on us, but we will use that as a positive and look to perform as best we can.” Forwards Biyi Alo (Saracens) Backs Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain) 2014 JWC tournament schedule June 2 June 6 June 10 June 15 June 20 England U20s Stats., at the JWC 2013 – P5 W4 L1 – 1st |
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
England U20 Head Coach Nick Walshe
ENGLAND Under 20s have been forced into three injury changes for June’s IRB Junior World Championship campaign in Auckland, New Zealand.
Flanker Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Saracens), hooker Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks) and wing George Catchpole (Leicester Tigers) come in for Jonny Hill (Gloucester Rugby), Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers) and Tom Fowlie (London Irish), respectively.
England kick off their title defence against Italy on June 2, before facing Australia on June 6 and Argentina on June 10.
Head Coach Nick Walshe said: “It’s massively disappointing for the three guys missing out, but it provides a fantastic opportunity for the three players coming in.
“The great thing about this England Under 20 side is that we have strength in depth and we have every confidence that this squad will perform well in the competition.”
Forwards
Biyi Alo (Saracens)
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Gus Jones (London Wasps)
Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks)
Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers)
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Saracens)
Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)
Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby)
Backs
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain)
Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
George Catchpole (Leicester Tigers)
Nathan Earle (Saracens)
Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues)
Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
Henry Taylor (Loughborough University)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
2014 JWC tournament schedule
June 2
England U20 v Italy
ECOLight Stadium
June 6
England U20 v Australia
QBE Stadium
June 10
England U20 v Argentina
QBE Stadium
June 15
JWC semi-final
June 20
JWC final
England U20s at the JWC
2013 – P5 W4 L1 – 1st
2012 – P5 W3 L2 – 7th
2011 – P5 W4 L1 – 2nd
2010 – P5 W3 L2 – 4th
2009 – P5 W4 L1 – 2nd
2008 – P5 W4 L1 – 2nd
Overall: P30 W22 L8
ENGLAND Under 20 made it two wins from two in this season’s IRB Junior World Championship, beating Australia 38-24 at the QBE Stadium, North Harbour, under the watchful eyes of members of the senior squad.
Two tries apiece for Henry Taylor and Nathan Earle and one for Gus Jones gave England the win, while Billy Burns kicked five conversions and one penalty.
Australia took an early lead in the corner through wing Andrew Kellaway, which was brilliantly converted by Jake McIntyre with England wing Nathan Earle bearing down.
But England hit back with a quick double from scrum half Taylor. First he sniped between two from close range before No. 8 James Chisholm found him on the inside to dive over.
Australia made it 17-10 after 30 minutes with a McIntyre penalty before a brilliant piece of skill from Nick Tompkins found Saracens teammate Earle, who powered his way over the line to give England a 24-10 advantage.
Australia hit back through Kellaway, who grabbed his second try before the break, but England started the second 40 with a bang as Jones dived over for the seventh try of his England U20 career.
Again Australia came back fighting though, and scored through McIntyre to make it a seven-point game at 31-24.
However, Earle killed off the contest when he crossed for his second try – and fifth of the competition – in the corner following some more neat work from Tompkins.
Captain Maro Itoje said: “Australia are a top side and coming into the game we had nothing but the utmost respect for them – they threw a lot at us but I thought we coped well.
“We really pulled together and showed a lot of heart and passion to get that result. I’m really happy with how the team performed, but again we feel that there’s still more to give.
“It was great to have the support of the seniors at the game. That meant a massive amount to the boys and we’re looking forward to watching their game tomorrow and then taking on Argentina on Tuesday.”
Forwards Coach Ian Peel added: "It was a really good test for us - both mentally and physically. The lads know they've been in a tough game; the forwards put in some excellent scrum work and our line out functioned well. We pressured them, stole some good ball and ultimately set up a strong platform.
“The breakdown was a big target area for us and I thought we came out on top, which is ultimately why we won the game. The matches come thick and fast, we’ve got a few bumps and bruises so we’ll recover well and get ready to go for Tuesday against Argentina.”
Points: Taylor 2T, Earle 2T, Jones 1T; Burns 1P, 5C
England U20 starting XV against Australia
15 Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)
14 Henry Purdy (Leicester Rugby)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
11 Nathan Earle (Saracens)
10 Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Henry Taylor (Loughborough University)
1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)
2 Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby)
3 Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, captain)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6 Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Gus Jones (London Wasps)
8 Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)
Replacements
16 Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie) on for Tom Woolstencroft 68 mins
17 Alex Lundberg (London Wasps) on for Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi 68 mins
18 Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers) on for Paul Hill 73 mins
19 Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Saracens) on for Gus Jones 71 mins
20 James Chisholm (Harlequins) on for Joel Conlon 9 mins
21 Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby) on for Henry Taylor 57 mins
22 Sam Olver (Northampton Saints) on for Billy Burns 65 mins
23 Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues) on for Howard Packman 40 mins
England U20's Nathan Earle
ENGLAND U20 wing Nathan Earle has been nominated by the IRB for the prestigious Junior Player of the Year Award.
The Saracens flier has been in scintillating form at the Junior World Championship in New Zealand – scoring five tries in the Championship, including a hat-trick in the opening game against Italy.
South Africa captain Handre Pollard, New Zealand wing Tevita Li and Ireland centre Gary Ringrose have also been nominated.
England U20 face South Africa in the Championship final on Friday at Eden Park, kick off 08.35am BST live on Sky Sports, and Earle can’t wait to get out there.
He said: “We’re all unbelievably excited about the final – we know that it’s going to be physical and South Africa will provide us with a real test, but we’re looking forward to it.”
On his nominated, Earle added: “It’s humbling to get nominated for the award - I’m up against some pretty talented players so to even be considered is a massive honour. I was genuinely pretty surprised to hear I was nominated, I’ve been happy with how I’ve been playing but it’s been down to the team putting me in the positions.”
Quote:Luddite
Your fellows a monsters. Beat Aussie handily. Favourites for title.
Baby Boks are on average 5kg heavier than England!