Three Chiefs in 23 for England U20s Semi Final Clash

Ben Coen, Joe Bailey and Kane James have been named in the matchday 23 for England U20s who face Ireland in the U20 Championship semi-final this weekend. 

Head coach Mark Mapletoft, leading his side to consecutive semi-final appearances after topping Pool C, will travel to the DHL Stadium this Sunday (14th, 15:30 BST kick-off) for an encounter against their Six Nations opponents. The game will be available to watch live on RugbyPass TV.

Finn Carnduff of Leicester Tigers takes the captaincy role for the ninth time this season, with Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby) slotting into the tighthead role in the only change from the pack that contributed to a 17-12 victory over South Africa on Matchday 3.

Fasogbon’s Gloucester clubmate Ioan Jones will start at full-back as the second and final alteration to the starting XV, with Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons) switching to the right wing.

Saracens’ James Isaacs scored his fourth try in five U20 caps to secure England’s third tournament victory on Tuesday and is rejoined joined by Cam Miell (Leicester Tigers) on the replacements bench. 2024 Under-20 Six Nations winners Josh Bellamy of Harlequins and Northampton Saint Toby Cousins are also reintegrated as energisers for the U20 Men.

Ireland progressed to the competition’s final four after wins against Italy (55-15) and Georgia (22-16), with their final Pool B game against Australia cancelled. The previous two meetings between England and Ireland at U20 Men’s level have resulted in high-scoring ties (34-34, 32-32).

Mark Mapletoft said: "We're extremely proud of the performances and consequent results from our pool stage matches. The calibre of opposition was at such a high standard and to raise the performance levels on the last day in such trying conditions showed our unity as a team.

"Our bond as a group has only strengthened and we've often found a way through the challenges thrown at us - it fills myself and the staff with immense pride and we know that is required again come this Sunday.

"We've had fantastic Tests against Ireland over the last twelve months with nothing to separate the teams on the last two occasions. We know that will have to change this time around, but I have every confidence our boys will fight for the player next to them and reassert that Brotherhood in the toughest moments."

England U20:

15 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 7 caps)

14 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 7 caps)

13 Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 9 caps)

12 Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 6 caps)

11 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 10 caps)

10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 3 caps)

9 Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, 3 caps)

1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 17 caps)

2 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 8 caps)

3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 14 caps)

4 Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 7 caps)

5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 7 caps)

6 Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 18 caps)

7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 8 caps)

8 Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 12 caps)

Replacements:

16 James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 5 caps)

17 Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, 2 caps)

18 James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury RFC, 10 caps)

19 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 7 caps)

20 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 7 caps)

21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 3 caps)

22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 6 caps)

23 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 7 caps)