Henry Pollock, Craig Wright and Toby Cousins are all set to face Ireland in the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship, as England feature in the semi-finals of the tournament on Sunday (14 July, kick-off: 3.30pm).
England defeated hosts South Africa 17-12 in their final pool stage clash on Tuesday to make the knock-outs, and Mark Mapletoft names the Northampton Saints trio in his matchday 23 for the clash.
Pollock and Wright will earn their ninth caps at this level as they start at openside flanker and hooker respectively, while winger Cousins will earn his eighth cap should he enter the action from the bench at the DHL Stadium.
Head coach Mapletoft said: “We're extremely proud of the performances and consequent results from our pool stage matches. The calibre of opposition was at such a high standard and to raise the performance levels on the last day in such trying conditions showed our unity as a team.
“Our bond as a group has only strengthened and we've often found a way through the challenges thrown at us - it fills myself and the staff with immense pride and we know that is required again come this Sunday.
“We've had fantastic Tests against Ireland over the last twelve months with nothing to separate the teams on the last two occasions. We know that will have to change this time around, but I have every confidence our boys will fight for the player next to them and reassert that Brotherhood in the toughest moments.”
ENGLAND UNDER-20s SIDE TO FACE IRELAND
15 Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 7 caps)
14 Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 7 caps)
13 Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 9 caps)
12 Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 6 caps)
11 Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 10 caps)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 3 caps)
9 Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, 3 caps)
1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 17 caps)
2 Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 8 caps)
3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 14 caps)
4 Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 7 caps)
5 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 7 caps)
6 Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 18 caps)
7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 8 caps)
8 Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 12 caps)
Replacements:
16 James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 5 caps)
17 Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, 2 caps)
18 James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury RFC, 10 caps)
19 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 7 caps)
20 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 7 caps)
21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 3 caps)
22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 6 caps)
23 Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 7 caps)
England U20 Men’s 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures and results
Pool rounds:
- Matchday 1 (29 June) – England 41-20 Argentina – Athlone Stadium
- Matchday 2 (4 July) – England 48-11 Fiji – Athlone Stadium
- Matchday 3 (9 July) – South Africa 12-17 England – Athlone Stadium
Knock-outs:
- Semi-final (Sunday 14 July,kick-off: 3.30pm BST) – England vs Ireland – DHL Stadium
- Matchday 5 (final and ranking matches, Friday 19 July)
