Newcastle Falcons full-back Ben Redshaw has been named in England U20 Men’s 30-player squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, selected by head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant coach Andy Titterrell.

The reigning champions will open their campaign against Scotland on Sunday 29 June at the Payanini Centre in Verona, following strong preparation victories over Wales (47-14) and Georgia (43-14) in recent uncapped fixtures.

Gloucester-bound Redshaw and Tom Burrow of Sale Sharks are the confirmed co-captains for the U20 Men.

Redshaw, a previous U18 captain, assumed the role for the first time at U20 level in Pontypool this month whilst Burrow led the team in the 2025 U20 Six Nations.  

Redshaw, alongside Josh Bellamy (Harlequins), Jack Bracken (Saracens), Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs), Kane James (Exeter Chiefs), Junior Kpoku (Racing 92), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby) and Olamide Sodeke (Saracens), return for their second World Rugby U20 Championship.  

“We’re very proud to announce our squad this week, the staff and I feel we are best prepared for the challenge ahead in Italy with this strong cohort,” Mark Mapletoft said. 

“Over the course of the last three months, there has been a renewed desire shown in our U19 and U20 games that we know will excite England fans.  

“Our attitude and ambitions have reset, with our primary focus of making lifelong memories with a special group that we know will demand the highest expectations of each other.” 

England U20 Men’s squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship (includes current club, community club and U20 caps) 

Forwards (17) 

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 4 caps) 

Tom Burrow (cc) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, 5 caps)   

Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 5 caps) 

Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 14 caps) 

Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Rochdale RFC, uncapped) 

Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 13 caps) 

Alfie Longstaff (Sale Sharks, Sandal RUFC, uncapped) 

Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, 5 caps) 

Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, 5 caps) 

Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 4 caps) 

Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 10 caps) 

Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 14 caps) 

Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, uncapped) 

George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Market Harborough RUFC, 5 caps) 

Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 3 caps) 

Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, 5 caps) 

Sam Williams (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Corsairs RFC, uncapped) 

Backs (13) 

Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, 4 caps) 

Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 12 caps) 

Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 8 caps) 

Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped) 

Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 9 caps) 

Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, uncapped) 

Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 4 caps) 

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 5 caps) 

Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)

Ben Redshaw (cc) (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 8 caps)   

Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs, Sharks, 2 caps) 

Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, Old Albanians, uncapped) 

Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Royston Rugby Club, 1 cap) 

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