New 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.
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.
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:
Forwards
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Barker (Saracens, uncapped)
Sam Bland (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, uncapped)
Kieran Hill (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
George Knowles (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, uncapped)
Alan Poku (Saracens, uncapped)
Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ethan Surrey (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
Tate Williams (Harlequins, uncapped)
Backs
Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Noah Caluori (Saracens, 4 caps)
Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Cotgreave (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Luke Davidson (Saracens, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Seva Kava (Saracens, uncapped)
Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
James Pater (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Pearson (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, uncapped)
Freddie St John (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
