Five Chiefs Named in England U20s Side to Face Scotland

Chiefs winger Campbell Ridl will make his England U20s debut this weekend as he is named alongside four teammates in Mark Mapletoft's side to face Scotland.

Nick Lilley will make his first start in the centre while Ben Coen and Kane James retain their places at fly half and number eight.

Nic Allison is unavailable for selection due to illness but Louie Gulley is once more named on the bench.

Following on from two wins in as many rounds in the 2025 U20 Six Nations, England welcome Kenny Murray’s side to Kingston Park, Newcastle this Friday evening (19:15 GMT kick-off). The match will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.

Having led his country to wins over Ireland and France in his first two U20 caps, Sale Sharks lock Tom Burrow is entrusted with the captaincy of the side. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens) partners Burrow in the pack’s engine room for the Round 3 encounter.

Burrow’s Sale Sharks teammate, Tye Raymont, is awarded his first start in an U20 Men’s jersey at tighthead prop. Junior Kpoku of Racing 92 returns to the team following suspension and accompanies previous Player of the Match winners Kane James (Exeter Chiefs) and George Timmins (Bath Rugby) in the back row.

George Pearson (Leicester Tigers) and Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs) are set for their first U20 Men’s caps on Tyneside, starting at full-back and left wing respectively. Exeter Chiefs centre Nick Lilley replaces clubmate Nic Allison in midfield for his first start at U20 level after a breakaway try assist for Dom Hanson’s conclusive score in Round 2.

Former England U18 Men’s teammates Connor Treacey, Tyler Offiah (both Bath Rugby) and Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints) could all make their debuts off the replacements bench at Kingston Park.

Mark Mapletoft said: “Returning from a fallow week, the mood around camp is buoyant and energetic after a good start to the tournament.

“Nevertheless, the boys are taking ownership to remain absolutely focused on another demanding evening under the lights.

“Coming to Kingston Park after seven years as an U20 Men’s team will mark this as a special occasion for all involved, but a special mention must go to Tye [Raymont] and Nick [Lilley] for their first starts and to George [Pearson] and Campbell [Ridl] on their deserved first caps.”

England U20s:

15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, Buckingham RFC, uncapped)

14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 7 caps)

13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 8 caps)

12 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 2 caps)

11 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, uncapped)

10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 7 caps)

9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 8 caps)

1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 2 caps)

2 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 2 caps)

3 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 2 caps)

4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 13 caps)

5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 2 caps)

6 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 12 caps)

7 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 4 caps)

8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 11 caps)

Replacements:

16 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 2 caps)

17 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 2 caps)

18 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 11 caps)

19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 2 caps)

20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, uncapped)

21 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, uncapped)

22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps)

23 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)