England u20 men's elite player squad named for the 2026/27 season

England U20 Men’s head coach Andy Titterrell has named his Elite Player Squad (EPS) for the 2026/27 season.   
 

The group will form the basis of selection for the U20 Men’s side this season inclusive of the 2027 U20 Six Nations, with a 50-player wider squad and a forwards and backs split of 28 and 22 respectively. 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. 

Finlay Cunnison, Zac Finch, Kealan Freeman-Price, Jerold Gorleku, Will Knight, Jack Lewis, George Marsh, Freddie Ogden-Metherell, James Pater, Alan Poku, Hugh Shields, Oliver Spencer, Elliot Williams, Tate Williams, Victor Worsnip and Harry Wright are the 16 previously-capped U20 players included in this year's cohort. 

Of the 34 uncapped players named by Titterrell, 32 have achieved U18 caps in the England Rugby men's pathway with Morgan Crew and Ashton Graham in line for their first England appearances this campaign.  

Ollie Batson, Charlie Bray, Kesena Izu, Freddie Jones, Ediz Karsak, Henry Lumley, Rory McKnight, Isaac Mears, Lawrence Ogbonnaya, Oscar Talbot, Charlie Tamani, Declan Treacey and Krystof Wood have already earned U19 experience last season as U18 players. Alongside Bray and Treacey, Henry Laidlow is the third previous U18 captain to be introduced to the U20s for the 2026/27 season. 

With previous U20 players Noah Caluori and Emmanuel Iyogun two of the latest debutants for the senior men's side, 30 of the 36 senior men's July Nations Championship squad were product of the U18, U20 or 'A' men's pathway programmes. 

The RFU can also confirm Jonathan Pendlebury will move into the U20 environment this season to lead on forward and set-piece areas, whilst Will Parkin will lead on U18 Men's coaching for the campaign.  

England’s 2027 U20 Six Nations fixtures and host venues will be communicated in due course. 

Andy Titterrell said: "We're delighted to announce the Elite Player Squad for the 2026/27 season, bringing together a talented group of young players from across the country who have earned this opportunity through their hard work and potential.  

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Jon [Pendlebury] into our set-up, who I have known for a long time and his experience, expertise, commitment and support will be fantastic addition. We’ll still be working closely with Will [Parkin] who will lead the U18s with the dedication and passion he has shown in his time with the 20s, reflecting our fluidity and alignment across the pathway for coaches as well as players.  

"Our focus remains on creating an environment where players feel supported, connected and able to enjoy their rugby, while challenging themselves to grow both on and off the field.  

"This programme is an important step in their development journey, and we're excited to work with them as we build strong relationships and lay the foundations for future success in an England shirt." 

England U20 Men’s 2026/27 Elite Player Squad (includes current club, community club and U20 caps) 

Forwards 

Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Sam Bland (Harlequins, Wharfdale, uncapped) 

Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Preston Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped) 

Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Newark Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Morgan Crew (Exeter Chiefs, West Park Leeds RUFC, uncapped) 

Leo Dickinson (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park RFC, uncapped) 

Tiane Elone (Saracens, Westcombe Park RFC, uncapped) 

Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 4 caps) 

Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, 6 caps) 

Ashton Graham (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, uncapped) 

Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Henry Johnson (Leicester Tigers, Oakham RFC, uncapped) 

Freddie Jones (Saracens, Tunbridge Wells RFC, uncapped) 

Ediz Karsak (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, uncapped)   

Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, 3 caps) 

George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 9 caps) 

Rory McKnight (Bath Rugby, Chobham RFC, uncapped) 

Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Winnington Park, uncapped) 

Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 5 caps) 

Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, 3 caps) 

Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, Olney RFC, uncapped) 

Ben Smith (Exeter Chiefs, Wath RFC, uncapped) 

Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Harrogate RUFC, 8 caps) 

Kaiden Watson (Harlequins, Old Whitgifians RFC, uncapped) 

Elliot Williams (Harlequins, London Irish Amateurs, 9 caps) 

Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 7 caps) 

Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby, Alcester, 1 cap) 

Backs 

Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped) 

Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Selby RFC, uncapped) 

Finlay Cunnison (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, 2 caps) 

Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Banbury Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, 3 caps) 

Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Banbury RFC, uncapped) 

Kesena Izu (Leicester Tigers, Wymondham RFC, uncapped) 

Zac Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Westcombe Park RFC, uncapped) 

Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 13 caps) 

Henry Lumley (Northampton Saints, Bury St. Edmunds, uncapped) 

Isaac Mears (Bath Rugby, Bath RFC, uncapped) 

Will Moore (Bristol Bears, South Gower RFC, uncapped) 

James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, 7 caps) 

Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Hertford RFC, uncapped) 

Caspar Reeves (Bristol Bears, Crewkerne RFC, uncapped) 

Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps) 

Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Barkers Butts RFC, uncapped) 

Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Bury St. Edmunds RUFC, uncapped) 

James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Harbury RFC, uncapped) 

Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove Rugby Club, uncapped) 

Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Bank of England RFC, 5 caps)