Counting down with just one month to go, the USA Men’s U20s have convened in North Carolina for their final selection camp ahead of the 2026 Jr World Championships.
The World Rugby Junior World Championship kicks off in Georgia next month with the top 16 teams from across the globe. The USA Men’s U20s will open their campaign in Pool C against Argentina, followed by England and Ireland. The JWC 2026 will span across five weekends with the final to be played on July 18th at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.
As players compete for roster spots in their final month of preparation, USA U20 Men’s Head Coach Johannes “Neets” Gericke praised the squad’s relentless work ethic and growing chemistry.
“The team is coming together really well despite the adversity. We have 38 boys working extremely hard in the Carolina humidity. They have shown the intensity we want. Every day they build stronger connections, on and off the field,” Gericke noted.
“We know we will have extremely long travel days. We know we will face intense competition. We know it will be hot in Georgia. We know our recovery resources are limited. We are preparing the team to embrace all challenges. I can’t wait to see how this team rises above all these challenges and shows bravery on and off the field.”
“The Junior World Championship is the pinnacle of age-grade rugby, featuring the best emerging talent from the top 16 global teams. USA is represented at this tournament for the first time since 2012. THIS IS A BIG DEAL.”
Challenging the players in this final stretch of preparation, the squad to represent the USA at the Jr World Championships will be determined early next month. The squad will then depart for Georgia on June 12th, giving them a few days on the ground before a warm-up match against the host nation followed by a further acclimatization and training block.
The USA will kick off their JWC campaign in Tbilisi’s Avchala Stadium against Argentina on Saturday, June 27th, followed by a clash with England on Thursday, July 2nd, before wrapping up pool play against Ireland on Tuesday, July 7th.
2026 USA Men’s U20 Player Pool
Lyndon BaileyJameson BeattyAlfie BoothDeclan CaddenHarrison CluffWilliam DarbishireAdam DevlinColin DonnellyYiannis EfthymiopoulosFrank FinicleJack FirebraceTristram HarwoodLiam HillGavin HolderSpencer HuntleyRhys JamesSalesi KafovaluLeo Keesler-VenablesPierce KellyOliver KirkMarco LapierreFinnian LoveMosese LuveitasauPapaseea MatelauBlake MillerDane MitchellQuan NguyenFlynn O’ConnellSialefuhia OfaJames PullanJoseph SarkeesOliver SinclairAidan StewardTanielu TalaepaSawyer TroupeTyler TrowerOwen WelburnJayden Williams
USA Rugby supporters can back all USA Junior National Teams to ensure they have the resources to provide elite medical, nutritional, and logistical support these players deserve as they represent the United States on the world stage on the official USA Rugby pathways page to make a donation and back the next generation of USA eagles here: https://usa.rugby/pathway-support
USA Jr World Championships Pool C Match Schedule:
All 3 matches played at Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi
USA v Argentina: Saturday June 27th | 5:00am ET
USA V England: Thursday July 2nd | 10:00am ET
USA v Ireland: Tuesday July 7th | 5:00am ET