Wales U20s take on their English counterparts on Friday night, the day before the senior sides go head-to-head
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones of Wales(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Wales U20s have named their team to face England in Friday night’s Six Nations opener at Franklin’s Gardens (7.45pm).
Head coach Richard Whiffin has selected a starting XV featuring nine players with previous U20 experience, while Tom Cottle and Evan Minto add further age-grade caps to a 6-2 split bench designed to cope with the physical test expected in Northampton.
Wales travel across the border looking to lay down an early marker in the 2026 championship, having denied England a Grand Slam when the sides last met at Cardiff Arms Park in 2025.
Whiffin admitted the selection had not been straightforward.
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“It was a tough selection process; we spent a while as coaches deliberating the pros and cons in terms of what we have come up with,” he said.
“We’ve got 23 players that will contribute to an 80-minute performance, and that is what is going to be needed against England, hence the 6-2 bench and having some real quality to impact the game later on.
“The tournament is a tough tournament, and it is a big step up for the boys.”
The Wales boss believes those with prior experience at this level will be crucial in what promises to be an intense atmosphere.
“So, guys who haven’t experienced firstly what the occasion will be and the crowd and secondly how tough and physical the game will be, those 11 players who have that experience will certainly help the new players out,” he added.
Whiffin has placed his faith in a powerful back row and an athletic back three as Wales prepare to take on an England side bolstered by Premiership-returning players.
“They are a big physical team – they have some players coming back from the Prem. We know they will go pretty hard in and around the aerial game, so there are some key facets we have to get right.
“Our boys will be ready for the challenge and will be looking forward to it.”
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Meanwhile, England have handed a starting berth to teenage wing Noah Caluori. The Saracens flyer, still only 19, is one of the standout names in Andy Titterrell’s side for round one.
Caluori already has four England U20 caps and featured in last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship. Since then, his rise has been rapid.
He has made his Gallagher Premiership debut for Saracens, earned a call-up to Steve Borthwick’s senior England squad, represented England A and currently leads the Premiership try-scoring charts with 12 tries this season.
Noah Caluori of Saracens dives to score his side’s first try (Image: 2025 Gaspafotos/MB Media)
Despite speculation he could be involved in the senior Six Nations set-up, Caluori has returned to the U20 fold for the start of the 2026 championship. He is joined in the starting XV by a number of new names.
James Pater starts at full-back, with Luke Davidson at fly-half, while hooker Jimmy Staples, locks Elliot Williams and Patrick Hogg, and openside flanker George Marsh are all included from the outset. England captain Connor Treacy anchors the back row at No 8.
There is also potential for a wave of debuts off the bench. Every replacement bar Sale Sharks forward Seb Kelly is in line to win a first U20 cap if introduced.
Head coach Titterrell says his side are ready for the intensity of an Anglo-Welsh opener.
“From the first whistle against Wales, we want to ignite our campaign and hunt together with real purpose and clarity,” he said.
“The connections within this group, the way they support one another and their commitment to being relentless will define how we play. We want to show positive intent in a very difficult opening fixture in Northampton.
“If the players take true ownership of their roles and embrace the enjoyment that comes from competing for each other, we’ll be in a strong place to start the tournament.”
Wales, meanwhile, will relish the chance to spoil England’s party on their own patch in what is traditionally one of the most fiercely contested fixtures of the U20 Six Nations calendar.
England U20 team
15. James Pater (Northampton Saints) 14. Noah Caluori (Saracens) 13. Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs) 12. Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby) 11. George Pearson (Leicester Tigers) 10. Luke Davidson (Saracens) 9. Lucas Friday (Harlequins) 1. Oliver Sola (Northampton Saints) 2. Jimmy Staples (Sale Sharks) 3. Ollie Streeter (Harlequins) 4. Elliot Williams (Harlequins)5. Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks)6. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave7. George Marsh (Leicester Tigers)8. Connor Treacy (Bath Rugby, captain)
Replacements: 16. Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby) 17. Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks) 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints) 19. Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby) 20. Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks) 21. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens) 22. Sam Winters (Bath Rugby) 23. Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears)
Wales U20 team
15 Jack Woods (Bath Rugby) 14 Rhys Cummings (Cardiff Rugby) 13 Osian Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) 12 Steffan Emanuel (Cardiff Rugby, co-captain) 11 Tom Bowen (Cardiff Rugby) 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets) 9 Sion Davies (Cardiff Rugby)
1 George Tuckley (Dragons RFC) 2 Tom Howe (Cardiff Rugby) 3 Jac Pritchard (Scarlets) 4 Luke Evans (Exeter Chiefs) 5 Osian J Williams (Bristol Bears) 6 Osian Williams (Scarlets) 7 Caio James (Gloucester) 8 Deian Gwynne (Gloucester, co-captain)
Replacements: 16 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby) 17 Dylan James (Ospreys) 18 Isaac Godfrey (Exeter Chiefs) 19 Tom Cottle (Cardiff Rugby) 20 Evan Minto (Dragons RFC) 21 Dom Kossuth (Scarlets) 22 Luca Woodyatt (Gloucester) 23 Lloyd Lucas (Cardiff Rugby)