Newcastle Falcons senior academy duo Joe Davis and Ben Redshaw have been named in the England Under-20s starting line-up for their fixture against Wales this Friday at Pontypool RFC (15:30 BST).

Davis starts at scrum-half and Gloucester-bound Redshaw will captain the side from full-back.

A former England Under-18 Men’s captain, Redshaw is a graduate of Sedbergh School and has earned eight caps at Under-20 level in 2024. He was part of the squad that won the 2024 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, and will now lead the national side for the first time at this level.

The match against Wales is an uncapped preparation fixture ahead of the 2025 World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy. England will conclude their pre-tournament schedule with a match against Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday June 14.

Mark Mapletoft said: “This camp marks the start of a new chapter for the U20 Men’s side – we’re approaching the next two weeks with a renewed focus and determination, facing two challenging tests away from home. 

“After recovering from injury, Ben [Redshaw] has taken ownership and led the Brotherhood in our short time together and is deserving of the opportunity to captain his country for the first time at U20 level. 

“We expect our players, both capped and uncapped, to drive a high-performance environment and level up each other’s development. Above all else, we want this group to bond as a unit and create special memories together in the coming months.” 

England U20 Men’s team to face Wales (includes current club, community club and U20 caps) 

15 Ben Redshaw (c) (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 8 caps) 
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped) 
13 Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 2 caps) 
12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, uncapped) 
11 Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, Bideford RFC, uncapped) 
10 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps) 
9 Joe Davis (Newcastle Falcons, Bishop Auckland RUFC, 2 caps) 
1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 5 caps)   
2 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 5 caps) 
3 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, uncapped) 
4 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 4 caps) 
5 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 14 caps) 
6 George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 5 caps) 
7 Reggie Hammick (Saracens, Saints Rugby Peregian, uncapped) 
8 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 3 caps) 

Replacements 

16 Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, Sandal RUFC, uncapped) 
17 Tubuna Maka (Leicester Tigers, Birmingham Moseley RFC, 2 caps) 
18 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps) 
19 Charlie Barker (Saracens, Canterbury Rugby Club, uncapped) 
20 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 14 caps)  
21 Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Penzance and Newlyn RFC, 1 cap) 
22 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 1 cap) 
23 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 9 caps) 
24 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap) 
25 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 4 caps) 
26 Frank McMillan (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, uncapped) 
27 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 8 caps) 
28 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 4 caps) 

England’s 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures (all available to stream live on RugbyPass TV) 

England vs. Scotland – Sunday 29th June, 14:30 BST – Payanini Centre, Verona  
England vs. South Africa – Friday 4th July, 17:00 BST – Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo  
England vs. Australia – Wednesday 9th July, 17:00 BST – Payanini Centre, Verona  
Placing/semi-final fixtures – Monday 14th July (KO TBC) – Payanini Centre, Verona and Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana  
Play-off/final fixtures – Saturday 19th July (KO TBC) – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano and Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo