Connor Treacey will captain England U20 Men for the first time at a Junior World Championship when Andy Titterrell’s side open against Ireland in Tbilisi on Saturday.
The Bath Rugby number eight leads England into their Pool C opener at Avchala Stadium, with kick-off set for 12.30pm BST. England Rugby confirmed the selection for Matchday 1, while Ultimate Rugby listed the same fixture details and broadcast route through RugbyPass TV and Premier Sports.
Treacey leads a side with fresh caps
The sharpest selection note is Titterrell’s appetite for early exposure. Northampton Saints back Hugh Shields, Saracens wing Zac Finch and Saracens prop Alan Poku are all in line for first U20 caps from the start, giving England a younger edge against familiar Six Nations opposition.
There is still a strong spine around them. Lucas Friday starts at scrum-half, Nick Lilley is named at outside centre, and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave anchors the second row with 14 previous caps. James Pater starts at full-back after being part of the wider pathway group.
The fixture also tightens England’s wider route after their Pool C draw with Ireland, Argentina and USA. A clean opening performance would immediately change the pressure profile before England face USA on 2 July.
Titterrell described the match as an important development step for the group, with the debutants having earned their chance. For England, that makes Saturday less a routine opener than the first hard test of whether this generation can turn pathway promise into tournament control.
Source: England Rugby, Ultimate Rugby.
