England announce 28-man World Rugby U20 Championship squad

England Under 20 Head Coach Martin Haag has announced his 28-man squad for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester scheduled to be played between 7th to 25th June.

The home team is due to meet Italy, Scotland and Australia in the Pool B fixtures.

Several players such as Theo Brophy-Clews, Will Evans, Harry Mallinder, Joe Marchant, Ollie Thorley and Johnny Williams have been featured in the squad and have a decent exposure of playing in big tournaments having played for various teams in the reputed Aviva Premiership Rugby.

Hooker Jack Walker makes his third World Rugby U20 Championship appearance whereas full-back George Perkins and Flanker Josh Bainbridge have both featured in Italy last year.

England who will be playing the home advantage, have an impressive record in the tournament having made into six finals in the last eight years.

Haag believes it will be a proud moment for the young men to wear the white jersey while enjoying the support of family and friends.

"This group will only play together for this tournament. It will be a proud moment when they pull on the white jersey and run out in front of family and friends in a home World Cup," said Haag.

20 out of the 28-man squad have featured recently in the concluded 2016 U20 Six Nations Championship whereas Harry Randall has been called up from England's U18 squad.

A week-long training camp in Newcastle has been announced starting 22nd May as coach Haag is looking forward to using this opportunity to set the tone of play.

"It's about driving our own standards and our own identity and in that camp we need to set the tone for how we want to play," he said.

"When we go on that training park we will be short and sharp and play with high intensity. We need to get the learning and education in so that we're in good shape and also have the right environment heading into the tournament."

With a tight fixture in the tournament where England is scheduled to play five games in just under three weeks time, Haag expects his players to manage their workload effectively.

"The format of the tournament means you can't expect anyone to play 80 minutes of every single game," he said.

"We've picked a strong squad and we're really looking forward to seeing all these guys in action. Players will, of course, be picked on form but we will be managing workload and how we ensure mental and physical recovery between games."

England is due to face Italy on 7th of June at the Manchester City Academy Stadium in their tournament opener and then Scotland on 11th of June, followed by Australia at AJ Bell Stadium on 15th of June.

England squad for World Rugby U20 Championship:

Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby)
Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Theo Brophy-Clews (London Irish)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)
Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
Matt Gallagher (Saracens)
Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)
Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
George Nott (Sale Sharks)
George Perkins (Saracens)
Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)
Stan South (Harlequins)
Will Stuart (Wasps)
Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Walker (Saracens)
Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Tom West (Wasps)
Johnny Williams (London Irish)
Jack Willis (Wasps)