Four Chiefs in England U20 Side to Take On Australia U20

Four Chiefs in England U20 Side to Take On Australia U20

The England U20 Men’s team, which will play Australia in the third round of the World Rugby U20 Championship,

has four Exeter Chiefs on the roster.

The England team for Matchday 3 of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship against Australia has been

announced by head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant coach Andy Titterrell.

After a 32–22 loss to South Africa, Mapletoft’s team will return to the Payanini Centre in Verona this Wednesday

(9th) at 17:00 BST for the last pool stage match.

Following a stellar season in Somerset, Bath Rugby hooker Kepu Tuipulotu will take the helm for the first time as the

U20 Men’s team captain. To date, Tuipulotu has played in both World Rugby U20 Championship matches and all

five 2025 U20 Six Nations games after making his senior club debuts in lucrative domestic and European

championships.

With the addition of Campbell Ridl (Exeter Chiefs), Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby), and Archie McParland (Northampton

Saints) to the backline, Noah Caluori of the Saracens makes his debut on Matchday 2 and gets his first start at the

U20 level.

In Mapletoft’s formation, the versatile Aiden Ainsworth-Cave of the Northampton Saints is given his first start at

blindside flanker, while Junior Kpoku (Racing 92) is used in the second row.

Potential U20 debutants Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks) and Ollie Streeter (Harlequins) are expected to play in Veneto,

replacing co-captain Tom Burrow (Sale Sharks), Jack Bracken (Saracens), and Jonny Weimann (Northampton

Saints).

Will Parkin, the coach of backs and skills, stated, “We were disappointed with the outcome of the last game against

South Africa because we missed a lot of opportunities.”

Having said that, over the past three days, our leadership group has come together to redirect the efforts of our

players. The team’s ownership in realising that significant progress needs to be achieved has been both crucial and

remarkable.

“The team has improved our training performance levels and focused on improving our effectiveness against the

opposing 22 in what will be another tough test in Australia.”