England u20 24/25 Season

Moderator: Puja

Post Reply
fivepointer
Posts: 5891
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 3:42 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by fivepointer »

The Bath front 5 are hardly knarly old vets. The locks are 21 and 22 and the hooker is 21. I guess a year or two at this level can make a big difference.
Epaminondas Pules
Posts: 3392
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

Team for Ireland

15 Jack Kinder
14 Jack Bracken
13 Angus Hall
12 Nic Allison
11 Charlie Griffin
10 Ben Coen
9 Archie McParland
8 Kane James
7 Henry Pollock
6 Junior Kpoku
5 Tom Burrow
4 Olamide Sodeke
3 Vilikesa Sela
2 Kepu Tuipolotu
1 Ralph McEachran

16 Louie Gulley
17 Oliver Scola
18 Tye Raymont
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
20 George Timmins
21 Lucas Friday
22 Josh Bellamy
23 Nick Lilley

That's a big old pack!!!

Really surprised they've gone with Coen and Bellamy. Hopefully Davies is not injured!
fivepointer
Posts: 5891
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 3:42 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by fivepointer »

The reigning champions head to Cork for their first round encounter against Neil Doak’s side at Virgin Media Park. The match will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
7.45pm Ko on Thursday.

Very interested to see this team perform. Good mix of experience with some newcomers.
Scrumhead
Posts: 5975
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:33 am

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Scrumhead »

Solid and experienced forward pack with a couple of highly rated newcomers.

I really like the look of Griffin but I’ve only seen him play as a centre (where he looked mustard). Kind of disappointed to see him on the wing.
Epaminondas Pules
Posts: 3392
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

He’s tended to play wing for age groups
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

He's more wing than centre - but comfortable in both
Slater582
Posts: 120
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:35 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Slater582 »

Apparently Pollock would've been skipper had he not been unavailable training with the Senior squad. Didn't expect Burrow to be named Captain, given this will be his first international U20 cap and there are quite a few lads returning from a successful 2024.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 11:32 pm England U20 Men 2024/25 Elite Player Squad

Forwards

Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints)
After being included in the England squad during September, Reuben Logan will end up representing Scotland in the Six Nations. You reckoned he would have been a starter EP, so Logan actually had a choice to make rather than England just not rating him.

I saw him described as 6'5, very talented and plays number 8 so disappointing he hasn't stayed with England. Given his father, guess it was always going to be difficult for the England coaches. :(

fivepointer wrote: Sat Sep 21, 2024 10:52 amScrum Half:

Stocks at 9 are in good shape with Archie McParland and also the outstanding Lucas Friday in the mix. Jonny Weimann, who was released by Saracens at 16, has grown hugely at six form and been rewarded with a number of England U18 caps. Worth noting Hanson too, who also played up at England U19 this season.

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints)
Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)
Noticed (former England U18) Will Wooton from Sale was in the Ireland squad. Although they've not selected him for the game on Thursday. Not sure if that's because he's injured or they've got better players than Wooton.

Also Steve Diamond was complaining about (another former England U18 scrum half) Joe Davis not being selected. Having been born on New year's Eve, Davis will not be eligible next year.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:23 am
FKAS wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:13 am
Epaminondas Pules wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2025 10:06 pm

It’s a very competitive age group. I liked the look of Pearson I must say.

Davies is a big step up from last years 10s. Friday is quality. We lost both starting centres from last year. Lilley was always going to be nailed on for 13 this year.

Add in Hall and Redshaw and it looks that bit more polished. And Archie McP too to battle with Friday for the 9 shirt.
Redshaw still qualifies as well? Damn. That's going to be some backline.

Pearson is only 18, I think Kinder is pretty young as well so they should get at least two maybe three years at this level anyway.
Yeah he's a 2005 birth, so good for this year too.

All depends on birth year. If they're still 18 now, being in the post January side of the school year, then they'll have two years at this level. Ollie Davies, for example, was 19 in December so he'll only get one year at this level. Angus Hall played last year as a school kid, but as a September birth only gets this year eligibility wise; Bracken the same, but Friday has two years being a July 2006 birth.
Does the Sale website have his date of birth wrong then? :(
Last edited by Slater582 on Thu Jan 30, 2025 11:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
FKAS
Posts: 8364
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

Reuben Logan is a big unit and has been playing Nat 1 level for Leicester Lions. I assume he's gone down the route that will give him the most initial game time. May switch again before seniors.

Joe Davis did look electric for Falcons but hasn't featured recently. If Diamond rates him so highly he should go back to playing him more regularly.
twitchy
Posts: 3279
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2016 9:04 am

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by twitchy »

FKAS wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:32 am Reuben Logan is a big unit and has been playing Nat 1 level for Leicester Lions. I assume he's gone down the route that will give him the most initial game time. May switch again before seniors.

Joe Davis did look electric for Falcons but hasn't featured recently. If Diamond rates him so highly he should go back to playing him more regularly.
Scottish, surely?
FKAS
Posts: 8364
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

twitchy wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:39 am
FKAS wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:32 am Reuben Logan is a big unit and has been playing Nat 1 level for Leicester Lions. I assume he's gone down the route that will give him the most initial game time. May switch again before seniors.

Joe Davis did look electric for Falcons but hasn't featured recently. If Diamond rates him so highly he should go back to playing him more regularly.
Scottish, surely?
Logan? He might go down the under 20s route there and then reconsider again at senior level. He was born and raised down south I believe. His dad is Scottish but Gabby is English and his grandad is Welsh so he's got multiple qualification up his sleeve so can pick what suits him best later on.
Banquo
Posts: 19094
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 7:52 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Banquo »

FKAS wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 1:16 pm
twitchy wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:39 am
FKAS wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:32 am Reuben Logan is a big unit and has been playing Nat 1 level for Leicester Lions. I assume he's gone down the route that will give him the most initial game time. May switch again before seniors.

Joe Davis did look electric for Falcons but hasn't featured recently. If Diamond rates him so highly he should go back to playing him more regularly.
Scottish, surely?
Logan? He might go down the under 20s route there and then reconsider again at senior level. He was born and raised down south I believe. His dad is Scottish but Gabby is English and his grandad is Welsh so he's got multiple qualification up his sleeve so can pick what suits him best later on.
Gabby represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games 😀
FKAS
Posts: 8364
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

Banquo wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 2:05 pm
FKAS wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 1:16 pm
twitchy wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:39 am

Scottish, surely?
Logan? He might go down the under 20s route there and then reconsider again at senior level. He was born and raised down south I believe. His dad is Scottish but Gabby is English and his grandad is Welsh so he's got multiple qualification up his sleeve so can pick what suits him best later on.
Gabby represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games 😀
Good point, I'd forgotten about that.
Epaminondas Pules
Posts: 3392
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:19 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Epaminondas Pules »

Slater582 wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2025 1:30 am Apparently Pollock would've been skipper had he not been unavailable training with the Senior squad. Didn't expect Burrow to be named Captain, given this will be his first international U20 cap and there are quite a few lads returning from a successful 2024.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2024 11:32 pm England U20 Men 2024/25 Elite Player Squad

Forwards

Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints)
After being included in the England squad during September, Reuben Logan will end up representing Scotland in the Six Nations. You reckoned he would have been a starter EP, so Logan actually had a choice to make rather than England just not rating him.

I saw him described as 6'5, very talented and plays number 8 so disappointing he hasn't stayed with England. Given his father, guess it was always going to be difficult for the England coaches. :(

fivepointer wrote: Sat Sep 21, 2024 10:52 amScrum Half:

Stocks at 9 are in good shape with Archie McParland and also the outstanding Lucas Friday in the mix. Jonny Weimann, who was released by Saracens at 16, has grown hugely at six form and been rewarded with a number of England U18 caps. Worth noting Hanson too, who also played up at England U19 this season.

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins)
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints)
Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)
Noticed (former England U18) Will Wooton from Sale was in the Ireland squad. Although they've not selected him for the game on Thursday. Not sure if that's because he's injured or they've got better players than Wooton.

Also Steve Diamond was complaining about (another former England U18 scrum half) Joe Davis not being selected. Having been born on New year's Eve, Davis will not be eligible next year.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:23 am
FKAS wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:13 am

Redshaw still qualifies as well? Damn. That's going to be some backline.

Pearson is only 18, I think Kinder is pretty young as well so they should get at least two maybe three years at this level anyway.
Yeah he's a 2005 birth, so good for this year too.

All depends on birth year. If they're still 18 now, being in the post January side of the school year, then they'll have two years at this level. Ollie Davies, for example, was 19 in December so he'll only get one year at this level. Angus Hall played last year as a school kid, but as a September birth only gets this year eligibility wise; Bracken the same, but Friday has two years being a July 2006 birth.
Does the Sale website have his date of birth wrong then? :( https://www.salesharks.com/player/ollie-davies/
Yeah. Ollie is 19 now. They’ve got the wrong year for some reason.
paddy no 11
Posts: 1933
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 10:34 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by paddy no 11 »

2 red cards here?
Captainhaircut
Posts: 304
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 5:32 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Captainhaircut »

Never a high degree of danger that. He’s barely even moving forward.
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

Should have been 1 red and 1 yellow. Kinder is lucky the ref wasn't interested in looking at bith
Scrumhead
Posts: 5975
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:33 am

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Scrumhead »

Yeah, I’m not convinced it was a ‘high degree of danger’ but a bit dumb by Kpoku.

Very scrappy so far.
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

I'm not fond of boo.ing at any time, but boo.ing kids is... not a good look.
Last edited by Which Tyler on Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

Scrumhead wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:10 pm Yeah, I’m not convinced it was a ‘high degree of danger’ but a bit dumb by Kpoku.

Very scrappy so far.
I think if you knock the attacker backwards, and move forwards yourself after contact, you'd need a really compelling reason to call it a low degree of danger.
On top of that, it was always illegal (late, no arms) so in theory, you don't apply mitigation, even if it exists.

Kinder's on the other hand, was a soak tackle that rode up, so low degree, probable yellow.
Last edited by Which Tyler on Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
paddy no 11
Posts: 1933
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 10:34 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by paddy no 11 »

Captainhaircut wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:07 pm Never a high degree of danger that. He’s barely even moving forward.
But he's doubled down by being about a week late, desrved red
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

Just brain-dead play
Scrumhead
Posts: 5975
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:33 am

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Scrumhead »

Yep. From the captain of a side down to 14 but under no major pressure, that’s dumb as they get.
User avatar
Which Tyler
Posts: 9138
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Location: Tewkesbury
Contact:

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by Which Tyler »

I missed what happened to McParland - anyone spot it?
FKAS
Posts: 8364
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

Scrumhead wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2025 8:20 pm Yep. From the captain of a side down to 14 but under no major pressure, that’s dumb as they get.
Dreadful discipline from England so far.
FKAS
Posts: 8364
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:10 pm

Re: England u20 24/25 Season

Post by FKAS »

Didn't realise you could take someone into touch in a headlock.

Not sure why England couldn't just kick the ball clear instead of playing an unnecessary play on our own goal line.
Post Reply