Three Chiefs named in England U20s Elite Player Squad
England U20 Men’s head coach Andy Titterrell and assistant coach Kevin Sorrell have named their Elite Player Squad (EPS) for the 2025/26 season, which features three Exeter Chiefs amongst the backs.
Nick Lilley, who already has eight England U20 appearances under his belt, continues his fine form from last season, whilst making the step up from England U18s are George Newman and Ollie Batson, both of whom have broken into the senior Chiefs academy squad for the 25/26 campaign.
Titterrell was recently announced as the side’s head coach after progressing from an assistant role alongside Mark Mapletoft, who now heads up the Men’s Player Pathway programme. Sorrell joins to lead on backs coaching in the U20 set-up and aligning defence principles across the men’s pathway.
With an even forwards and backs split in the 50-player wider squad, the group will form the basis of selection for the U20 Men’s side this season inclusive of the 2026 U20 Six Nations. The Men’s Professional Game Partnership established the expanded EPS to enable greater playing opportunities in the international arena for those in the ‘Confirmation’ phase of the pathway development system.
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints), Noah Caluori (Saracens), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks), Lucas Friday (Harlequins), Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks), Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs), Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby), George Pearson (Leicester Tigers), Oli Scola (Northampton Saints), Ollie Streeter (Harlequins), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby) and Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints) are the 13 previously-capped U20 internationals returning for the 2025/26 campaign.
Twenty-four EPS members have progressed from U18 Men’s 2024/25 squad, whilst newcomers Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins), Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers), Seva Kava (Saracens) and Freddie St John (Northampton Saints) are set to earn their first pathway caps this season.
As a crucial footing to the senior men’s international side, the England Rugby Men’s Player Pathway programme previously provided age-grade playing development opportunities to 30 of the 36 touring senior internationals to Argentina and the USA this summer. Former U20 Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship winner Henry Pollock also progressed to tour with the British & Irish Lions.
England’s 2026 U20 Six Nations fixtures and host venues will be communicated in due course.
Andy Titterrell said: “Congratulations must go to all of those named in our EPS as we look to strengthen and evolve as a collective this season.
“Selection has been continuous, challenging process over the last year, with a talent pool filled with unique players full of belief. The players’ experience in the pathway will ensure a streamlined squad integration accompanied with some new faces to form a relentless team bond.
“Alongside Kev [Sorrell], our aim is to foster a cooperative environment in order to build our connection as a squad and to meet the demands of a fresh campaign.”
England U20 Men’s 2025/26 Elite Player Squad(includes current club, community club and U20 caps)
Forwards
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 9 caps)
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, Stow-on-the-Wold RFC, uncapped)
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Old Coventrians RFC, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Overton RFC, uncapped)
Charlie Barker (Saracens, Canterbury Rugby Club, uncapped)
Sam Bland (Harlequins, Wharfdale, uncapped)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, uncapped)
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, uncapped)
Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, North Petherton RFC, uncapped)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, uncapped)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RUFC, 2 caps)
George Knowles (Gloucester Rugby, Ledbury Rugby Club, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, Eccles RFC, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, Old Elthamians RFC, uncapped)
Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 9 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, uncapped)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, uncapped)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 2 caps)
Ethan Surrey (Bristol Bears, Barkers Butts RFC, uncapped)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 7 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, uncapped)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, uncapped)
Backs
Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped)
Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 4 caps)
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, Bideford RFC, uncapped)
Luke Davidson (Saracens, Michaelhouse, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield RUFC, 2 caps)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 8 caps)
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, Wymondham RFC, uncapped)
Seva Kava (Saracens, Helston RFC, uncapped)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 4 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 8 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC, uncapped)
Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, Bury St. Edmunds, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, uncapped)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 3 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, uncapped)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, 3 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians, uncapped)
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints, Oundle RFC, uncapped)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, West Bridgford RFC, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 6 caps)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield RUFC, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Bank of England RFC, uncapped)