2025 World Rugby U20 Championship

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Overzealous TMO there. Glad the refs didn't overrule that decision.

Our last line out try, right? Agreed.

 

[ChicagoKid]

How it started /// how it's going

Group Stage

View attachment 24135

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3rd place

View attachment 24136

Vamos! Vamos!

 

[spursincornwall]

Definitely think the U20s six nations should be expanded to 8 nations (Georgia and Spain), 2 groups of 4, followed by semi finals and finals for top 4 and bottom 4

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Definitely think the U20s six nations should be expanded to 8 nations (Georgia and Spain), 2 groups of 4, followed by semi finals and finals for top 4 and bottom 4

I think today's results say more about the poor quality of Scotland's and Ireland's teams than the actual strengths of countries like Georgia and Spain. (The results for England and Wales were also shameful, though France can hold their heads up high with that 1-point defeat to Argentina).

 

[spursincornwall]

I think today's results say more about the poor quality of Scotland's and Ireland's teams than the actual strengths of countries like Georgia and Spain. (The results for England and Wales were also shameful, though France can hold their heads up high with that 1-point defeat to Argentina).

So we just leave as is

 

[African Monkey]

After watching how bad the NZ side was in the first match against Italy, I'd consider getting to the final as an achievement in itself. Expectedly fell short in the final. Outmuscled in close quarters.

 

[Which Tyler]

Are we keeping the same thread for the U18s or starting a new one?

England U18 Men’s 2025 International Series squad:

Forwards:

Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped)
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, uncapped)
Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, 2 caps)
AJ Henry (Saracens, Mill Hill, uncapped)
Henry Horsfall (Gloucester Rugby, Kings Worcester, uncapped)
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, uncapped)
Freddie Jones (Saracens, Sutton Valence School, uncapped)
Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School, 4 caps)
Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 2 caps)
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, uncapped)
Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 1 cap)
Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School, uncapped)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Grammar School at Leeds, 4 caps)
Casper Wheeler (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College, uncapped)

Backs:

Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter School, uncapped)
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, uncapped)
Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge Community College, uncapped)
Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, 4 caps)
Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 1 cap)
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, uncapped)
Will Payton (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 3 caps)
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, 4 caps)
Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School, 4 caps)
James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 3 caps)
Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, 4 caps)



Guess Linegar has aged out of the U18s then.
The mystery of neither he nor Davies appearing for the U20s deepens

Treacey's okay, and Tamani is going to enjoy himself if he gets any ball
Spencer, Bray and Talbot are other names I recognise - there's a few others I recognise but can't place

 

[irisht]

Irish u18 side:

Prop
Ben Guerin (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Harry Goslin (Belvedere College SJ/Leinster Rugby)
James Gould (Wallace HS/Ulster Rugby)
Oliver Fitzsimmons (Wallace HS/Ulster Rugby)

Hooker
Lee Fitzpatrick (Newbridge College/Leinster Rugby)
Joe Christle (St. Mary's College/Leinster Rugby)

Lock
Jamie Walsh (Cistercian College Roscrea/Munster Rugby)
Frank Maher (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby) - u17
Leo Anic (Creggs RFC/CBS Roscommon/Connacht Rugby)

Backrow
Adam Boyd (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)
Jonathon Ginnety (St Vincent's Castleknock College/Leinster Rugby)
Alex Lautsou (Castletroy College/Munster Rugby)
Geoff Wall (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Jon Rodgers (Wallace HS/Ulster Rugby)

Scrumhalf
Luke Coffey (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Connor McVicker (Belfast Royal Academy/Ulster Rugby)

Outhalf
Paul Neary (St. Mary's College/Leinster Rugby)
Charlie O'Connor (RBAI/Ulster Rugby) - u17

Outside Backs
Tom Bell (Ards RFC/Regent House/Ulster Rugby)
Bernard White (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Harry Waters (Ratoath College/Navan RFC/Leinster Rugby)
James Browne (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Geoff O'Sullivan (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)
Daniel O'Connell (Ardscoil Ris/Munster Rugby)
Fionn Rowsome (Crescent College Comprehensive College SJ/Munster Rugby)
Andrew Henson (Buccaneers RFC/ Marist College/Connacht Rugby)

 

[Which Tyler]

England U18 Men's squad to face Georgia (Academy & U18 caps)
1 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, 4 caps)
2 Casper Wheeler (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
3 Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
4 Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, 4 caps)
5 Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
6 Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
8 Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

09 James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
11 Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
12 Declan Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
13 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
14 Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
15 Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

Replacements
16 Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
17 Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
18 Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
19 Freddie Jones (Saracens, uncapped)
20 Henry Horsfall (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
21 AJ Henry (Saracens, uncapped)
22 Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
23 Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, 4 cap)
24 Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
25 Will Payton (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
26 Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

 

[Which Tyler]

Worth putting this up:

Match Days & Fixtures: August 2025
Round 1 – Friday 8th August (Stellenberg High School)
South Africa A v Ireland (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
Georgia v England (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
South Africa v France (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)


Round 2 – Tuesday 12th August (Boland Landbou)
South Africa A v Georgia (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
South Africa v Ireland (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
England v France (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)


Round 3 – Saturday 16th August (Paarl Gimnasium)
France v South Africa A (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
Ireland v Georgia (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
South Africa v England (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)

Official streaming site:
https://live.supersportschools.com/

ETA: Did someone pull out? 2 SA teams? or is it a "price" to pay for them hosting?

 

[Which Tyler]

Good write up in nextgenXV.com

U18 International Series: 2025 Preview | Five Nations and Six Teams set to compete – NextGenXV

nextgenxv.com

Key bits here:

The touring sides meanwhile all played in the U18 Six Nations Festival, and there will be a couple of tasty repeat fixtures from that Ireland and Georgia meet on Matchday 3 after an epic game in the Six Nations, won 26-21 by Ireland. Before that, England and France meet on Matchday 2, when they met in the Six Nations it went down to the wire, England winning 29-27.

England meanwhile effectively send an U17 side, using this tour as the starting point for their 2025/26 season, rather than the end point of their 2024/25 season. Each and every team uses this tour for a variety of different purposes.

There will be plenty of spice on the field right from the off. South Africa v France looks the headline fixture on the opening day and is set to be an emotional one as well, with the memory of Narjissi no doubt right at the forefront. Prior to that Georgia will look to get one over England after coming close last year, while South Africa A kick the party off against Ireland at 11.30am local time.

Round 2 sees the rematch of that epic from the Six Nations, England v France, in the headline slot at 3.30pm local time, with a massive South Africa v Ireland game in the middle slot. Last year South Africa won an epic 38-26, hopefully a similar game unfolds.

The final day of action kicks off with France v South Africa A, which should be a strong encounter, then Ireland and Georgia meet. Ireland have beaten Georgia the last two times they met, here last year and in the Six Nations, but both were incredibly tight. Georgia will be thinking third time lucky. The Series rounds off at 3.30pm local time with South Africa hosting England. South Africa won it 39-14 last time around, England will be hoping for closer this time around, while South Africa will be seeking inspiration from their U20 side, who won the World Rugby U20s last month in sensational style.

 

[irisht]

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v South Africa Under-18 'A', 2025 Under-18 Men's International Series – Round 1, Hoërskool Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, August 7, kick-off 11.30am local time/10.30am Irish time):

15. Andrew Henson (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College/Connacht Rugby)
14. Harry Waters (Ratoath College/Navan RFC/Leinster Rugby)
13. Tom Bell (Ards RFC/Regent House/Ulster Rugby)
12. Bernard White (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
11. James Browne (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
10. Paul Neary (St. Mary's College/Leinster Rugby)
9. Luke Coffey (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
1. Ben Guerin (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Newbridge College/Leinster Rugby) (capt)
3. Jamie Bohan (Newbridge College/Leinster Rugby)
4. Jonathan Ginnety (Castleknock College/Leinster Rugby)
5. Jamie Walsh (Cistercian College Roscrea/Munster Rugby)
6. Geoff Wall (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
7. Jon Rodgers (Wallace HS/Ulster Rugby)
8. Alex Lautsou (Castletroy College/Munster Rugby)

Replacements:

16. Joe Christle (St. Mary's College/Leinster Rugby)
17. James Gould (Wallace HS/Ulster Rugby)
18. Harry Goslin (Belvedere College SJ/Leinster Rugby)
19. Leo Anic (Creggs RFC/CBS Roscommon/Connacht Rugby)
20. Frank Maher (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)
21. Adam Boyd (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)
22. Connor McVicker (Belfast Royal Academy/Ulster Rugby)
23. Charlie O'Connor (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)
24. Fionn Rowsome (Crescent College Comprehensive College SJ/Munster Rugby)
25. Geoff O'Sullivan (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)
26. Daniel O'Connell (Ardscoil Ris/Munster Rugby)

SA U18 'A' team to take on Ireland (kick off at 11h30):
15 Reinhart Viljoen (South Western Districts)
14 Jeneall Davids (Western Province)
13 Nathan Aneke (Sharks)
12 Lizwe Mthethwa (Sharks)
11 Ncutu Kepe (Border)
10 Jeandre Uithaler (captain, Lions)
9 Zirk Meyer (Bulls)
8 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province)
7 Liam Lightly (South Western Districts)
6 Andile Ndlovu (Sharks)
5 Migael Turner (Western Province)
4 Diaan Augustyn (South Western Districts)
3 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province)
2 Keenan Myners (South Western Districts)
1 Jeffrey Singo (Bulls)

Replacements
16 Thomas Muller (Western Province)
17 Pieta Cilliers (Western Province)
18 Deon Botes (Bulls)
19 Juvan Burden (Western Province)
20 Briint Davids (Western Province)
21 Mickyle Booise (Western Province)
22 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province)
23 Sbabalwe Magwebu (Border)
24 Junaide Passensie (Bulls)
25 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province)
26 Lian Terblanche (Sharks)

 

[Which Tyler]

For the stream, you have to sign up, which only takes a minute or so, and is free

https://live.supersportschools.com/events/68945c1f1bd5fe05e027c3e0/

NB: There's some disagreement on time - some sites say 12.30, some say 12.15 - this may or may not be the difference between "broadcast starts", and "match starts"

 

[saulan]

The app also works well for those on mobile.

For all non-South Africans, this app is quite an interesting one in South Africa. Most schools have their sports streamed with commentary on this platform. Which games it is varies, but generally includes the U19A, U19B, U16A and a few more games every weekend (depends which games are being played on the main fields). The commentary, as you'd expect, is generally pretty poor and biased to the home side, but it's quite nice to keep track of your old school. (It's also not limited to rugby, they also do cricket, hockey, netball and basketball)

I'm certain it's also made life easier for French scouts looking to track talent to get players into their Academies early so they are JIFF qualified. A big story from this week was that La Rochelle just signed Paarl Boys High's current first team fullback Mark Grindlay.

Edit: Just generally, school boy rugby is well followed in SA, two to three matches are televised on the main SuperSport channels per week with professional commentators, and the big Paarl clash was this past weekend that had over 30k spectators.

 

[irisht]

LA Rochelle are kings of poaching talent from elsewhere.

 

[Which Tyler]

Not the start we'd have been looking for

 

[Which Tyler]

Looks like Georgia doesn't know who their back-of-shirt sponsor is

 

[Which Tyler]

Wow, that's harsh.

Georgia put the ball up in the air, and into our 22.

Shields (E10) calls mark, catches the ball, realises play hasn't stopped, and put his arm up to indicate the mark.


Ref says to play on as he needs to catch the ball before calling mark, but call it immediately, so the first call was too early, the second too late.

 

[irisht]

Ireland won 36-33 over SA u18 A
Georgia won 35-31 over England u18

 

[Which Tyler]

French team to play England tomorrow

1. TAMBO FANTCHO (CA Bègles Bordeaux)
2. LAM (US Colomiers)
3. TAFILI (CA Brive Corrèze)
4. LAGNEAU (Racing 92)
5. MENDES TANI (RC Toulon)
6. BARD (Lyon OU)
7. AUDEMAR GHION (Castres O)
8. BARET (c) (Lyon OU)

09. BOUJU (Stade Rochelais)
10. FAVRAU (CA Bègles Bordeaux)
11. BROSSET (AS Montferandaise)
12. DIDEY (Stade Français)
13. NGASSA MANAC (RC Vannes)
14. FRELAUT (Provence Rugby)
15. LAOUNA (FC Grenoble)

16. FREYNET (CA Bègles Bordeaux)
17. IPOSO OHOTO (RC Vannes
18. WATAT (RC Massy)
19. DESECHALLIERS (Racing 92)
20. PALMIER (AS Montferandaise)
21. DEALLE FACQUEZ (Aviron Bayonnais)
22. ALBUISSON (Racing 92)
23. GILLOUIN LEMAIRE (Castres O)
24. MASIMA (Provence Rugby)
25. MBAYE (Stade Français)
26. ECHEGARAY (Biarritz O)