Leicester Tigers flanker Will Evans has been included in the England squad for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia.
Evans, Sam Aspland-Robinson, Theo Brophy Clews, Zach Mercer, Harry Randall and Max Wright were all involved in last year’s successful campaign when England lifted the World Championship trophy in Manchester, but the Tigers back-rower joins Ali Crossdale as the only players in the quad who did not take part in the recent Six Nations Grand Slam.
RFU head of international player development, Dean Ryan said: “Following the England Under-20s Grand Slam earlier this year, it is great to have five players earn places in the senior squad.
“The Six Nations showed that we have a large pool of young talent and that competition for places is high. We’re looking forward to seeing which players now take the opportunity to make their mark in the World Championship this summer as this group continues to develop.”
Former Tigers lock Louis Deacon joins Ian Vass and Tom Williams in the England coaching team, having joined the management as part of a new agreement with Premiership Rugby in which club coaches lead and develop the Under-20s while gaining experience in an international environment.
Playing all of their Pool A matches in the Avchala Stadium, the defending champions will open their campaign against Samoa on May 31.
England will face familiar faces in their second fixture when they come up against Wales and then Australia are the opposition for their final pool game.
England Under-20s Squad:
Forwards
Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens)
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs)
Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors)
Max Davies (Newcastle Falcons)
Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nay (Saracens)
Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
Backs
Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Dominic Morris (Saracens)
Tom Parton (London Irish)
Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
England U20 World Championship Pool A fixtures, all live on ITV:
Wednesday May 31 – England v Samoa, Avchala Stadium (10am KO BST)
Sunday June 4 – England v Wales, Avchala Stadium (5pm KO BST)
Thursday June 8 – England v Australia, Avchala Stadium (5pm KO BST)
Monday June 13 – Semi-finals and knockout matches
Saturday June 18 – Final and knock-out matches
Evans, Sam Aspland-Robinson, Theo Brophy Clews, Zach Mercer, Harry Randall and Max Wright were all involved in last year’s successful campaign when England lifted the World Championship trophy in Manchester, but the Tigers back-rower joins Ali Crossdale as the only players in the quad who did not take part in the recent Six Nations Grand Slam.
RFU head of international player development, Dean Ryan said: “Following the England Under-20s Grand Slam earlier this year, it is great to have five players earn places in the senior squad.
“The Six Nations showed that we have a large pool of young talent and that competition for places is high. We’re looking forward to seeing which players now take the opportunity to make their mark in the World Championship this summer as this group continues to develop.”
Former Tigers lock Louis Deacon joins Ian Vass and Tom Williams in the England coaching team, having joined the management as part of a new agreement with Premiership Rugby in which club coaches lead and develop the Under-20s while gaining experience in an international environment.
Playing all of their Pool A matches in the Avchala Stadium, the defending champions will open their campaign against Samoa on May 31.
England will face familiar faces in their second fixture when they come up against Wales and then Australia are the opposition for their final pool game.
England Under-20s Squad:
Forwards
Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens)
Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs)
Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors)
Max Davies (Newcastle Falcons)
Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nay (Saracens)
Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
Backs
Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Ali Crossdale (Saracens)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Dominic Morris (Saracens)
Tom Parton (London Irish)
Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
England U20 World Championship Pool A fixtures, all live on ITV:
Wednesday May 31 – England v Samoa, Avchala Stadium (10am KO BST)
Sunday June 4 – England v Wales, Avchala Stadium (5pm KO BST)
Thursday June 8 – England v Australia, Avchala Stadium (5pm KO BST)
Monday June 13 – Semi-finals and knockout matches
Saturday June 18 – Final and knock-out matches
