England U20 Men’s head coach – and former Shark – Andy Titterrell has named Sale lock Patrick Hogg in his matchday squad to face Italy U20 Men this Friday at the Stadio San Michele, Calvisano (17:30 BST).
The 19 year old, who joined Sharks from Newcastle’s academy last summer, lines up in the second row once again after featuring in last week’s 54-38 victory over Leicester Tigers U23, which kicked off England’s summer schedule.
The uncapped warm-up fixture ahead of the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship will be streamed live on the Federazione Italiana Rugby YouTube channel.
Connor Treacey of Bath Rugby returns to the number eight shirt as captain, while Lucas Friday, Will Knight, James Pater, Jimmy Staples and Sonny Tonga’uiha are reintegrated into the starting XV following involvement in the final round of the PREM Rugby regular season.
Harlequins tighthead prop Ollie Streeter also rejoins the setup and is named as one of Titterrell’s 11 replacements.
England U20 Men open their Junior World Championship schedule against Ireland on Saturday 27th June (12:30 BST kick-off). All England fixtures will be broadcast on RugbyPass TV in the UK.
Andy Titterrell said: “We were really pleased with the energy and enjoyment the group showed in the win over Leicester, but this week is about being even more relentless as we continue to build toward Georgia.
“It’s great to welcome back more players from club action, which naturally raises the level of competition and reinforces that every player here must take ownership of their role and push hard for a place in the final squad.
“Italy will provide a strong test in a humid environment, and with the support and connection we’re developing as a group, it’s another important step in shaping a performance we can be proud of.”
England U20 Men’s side to face Italy U20 Men (includes current club, community club and previous U20 caps)
15 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, 5 caps)
14 Tyler Offiah (Bath Rugby, Ealing Trailfinders, 7 caps)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 13 caps)
12 Will Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, 9 caps)
11 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Henley Hawks, 1 cap)
10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 13 caps)
1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 14 caps)
2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Worthing Rugby Club, 5 caps)
3 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps)
4 Patrick Hogg (Sale Sharks, Blaydon Rugby Club, 3 caps)
5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, 14 caps)
6 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, 3 caps)
7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Ashby RFC, uncapped)
8 Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, New Milton Rugby Club, 12 caps)
Replacements
16 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, 2 caps)
17 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Haywards Heath RFC, 6 caps)
19 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, 3 caps)
20 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, 5 caps)
21 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro RFC, 1 cap)
22 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Marlow RUFC, 4 caps)
23 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exmouth RFC, uncapped)
24 Theo Povey (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, uncapped)
25 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, uncapped)
26 Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Hertford RFC, uncapped)
England U20 Men’s 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship fixtures and results
(Warm-up friendly) Leicester Tigers U23 38-54 England U20 Men – Friday 5th June, 19:30 BST – Mattioli Woods Welford Road
(Warm-up friendly) Italy U20 Men vs. England U20 Men – Friday 12th June, 17:30 BST – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
England vs. Ireland – Saturday 27th June, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
England vs. USA – Thursday 2nd July, 15:00 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Argentina vs. England – Tuesday 7th July, 12:30 BST kick-off – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Matchday 4 – Sunday 12th July & Monday 13th July – AIA Arena, Kutaisi or Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Matchday 5 – Friday 17th July & Saturday 18th July – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi or Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
