England
Head coach Mark Mapletoft has named his England U20 Men’s matchday squad for their opening 2025 Six Nations fixture against Ireland this Thursday (30th) at Virgin Media Park in Cork. The reigning champions’ Round 1 clash will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
Tom Burrow, who captained England U19s in 2024 and led the U20s in a recent uncapped fixture, will captain the side. The Sale Sharks lock, who made his club debut this season, earns his first competitive U20 start.
The squad also features full debuts for Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers), Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs), Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks), and Bath duo Charlie Griffin and Kepu Tuipulotu.
Northampton Saints forward Henry Pollock joins the squad after training with the senior men in Girona and starts at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by Junior Kpoku (Racing 92) and Kane James (Exeter Chiefs), both key members of last year’s U20 Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship-winning team.
Five of the eight replacements could make their U20 debuts, while George Timmins (Bath) and Harlequins pair Lucas Friday and Josh Bellamy add experience from the bench.
England’s last meeting with Ireland ended in a 31-20 victory at the World Rugby U20 Championship, following a dramatic 32-all draw in last year’s Six Nations.
Head coach Mapletoft said: “We want to make our mark on the Six Nations with a relentless approach from the outset. Coming in as champions is a privilege, but our players are driven to play with freedom and uphold our principles of speed, attachment, and space.
“We know Ireland will be a tough opening challenge, but the squad has worked hard and is ready for another exciting matchup against Neil Doak’s team.”
England U20 Men team to face Ireland (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)
15 Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers, Silhillians RUFC, uncapped)
14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 5 caps)
13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 6 caps)
12 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, uncapped)
11 Charlie Griffin (Bath Rugby, Rosslyn Park, uncapped)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 5 caps)
9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 5 caps)
1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, uncapped)
2 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, uncapped)
3 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 9 caps)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 11 caps)
5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, uncapped)
6 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 11 caps)
7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 12 caps)
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 9 caps)
Replacements:
16 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, uncapped)
17 Ollie Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
18 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, uncapped)
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, uncapped)
20 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 2 caps)
21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 6 caps)
22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 10 caps)
23 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, uncapped)
Ireland
Ireland U20 Men’s head coach Neil Doak has named his team, to face England in the opening round of the 2025 Under-20s Six Nations Championship.
Connacht Academy forward Éanna McCarthy has been named captain.
The back three consists of Charlie Molony, Derry Moloney, and Ciaran Mangan, with Eoghan Smyth and Connor Fahy partnering in the midfield. Clark Logan takes the scrum-half role, while Sam Wisniewski is selected at fly-half.
In the forwards, Alex Usanov, Henry Walker, and Alex Mullan – all returnees from last season – form the front row. Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan, another returning player from last year’s squad, start in the second row.
The back row features Michael Foy at blindside flanker, Bobby Power at openside, and skipper McCarthy at number eight.
The replacements include Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, and Oisin Minogue for the forwards, with Andrew Doyle, Gene O’Leary Kareem, and Daniel Green providing cover in the backs to complete Ireland’s matchday 23.
Ireland Men’s U20s:
15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
11. Ciaran Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
10. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(captain)
Replacements:
16. Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
17. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
19. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
20. Oisin Minogue (Shannon RFC/Munster)
21. Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
22. Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster)
23. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster).
