England u20 will meet Ireland at The Rec on Friday 20th February with Connor Treacey as captain and several players in line for first appearances
Andy Titterrell has named his England under-20 matchday squad for Round 3 of the 2026 Under-20 Men’s Six Nations, a 23-man group that will take on Ireland at The Recreation Ground in Bath on Friday 20 February (kick-off 19:45).
The fixture will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer. Titterrell’s selection blends seasoned campaigners with fresh faces, and he’s handed the captain’s armband to Bath back-rower Connor Treacey as the squad prepares to perform in front of a home crowd.
The starting XV mixes Premiership experience and emerging talent. James Pater slots in at fullback, Tyler Offiah earns his first Six Nations start on the wing, and Finn Keylock takes the reins at fly-half. Up front Oliver Scola and Ollie Streeter form the front-row bookends, while Treacey marshals the pack.
On the bench are several players who could make their England U20 debuts, including Jerold Gorleku, Tate Williams and George Newman, with Ollie Davies also back in the matchday group.
Why this group? Titterrell has clearly prioritised balance. The coaches wanted front-row stability and versatile forwards who can contest breakdowns, while the backline offers both defensive security and the pace to punish space out wide. Keylock at 10 signals an emphasis on territorial control and sharp distribution; the back three combine a safe-catcher in Pater with wing options capable of offering genuine pace.
Bench composition is pragmatic and developmental. The replacements list—Jerold Gorleku (16, uncapped), Oliver Spencer (17, 1 cap), Sonny Tonga’uiha (18, 2 caps), Tate Williams (19, uncapped), George Marsh (20, 2 caps), George Newman (21, uncapped), Will Knight (22, 6 caps) and Ollie Davies (23, 2 caps)—covers the front-row needs and supplies midfield punch and finishing pace. That mix gives the coaches the option to inject impact, protect leads or change the game plan mid-match, while still offering valuable minutes to younger players in lower-pressure windows.
Tactical blueprint and training focus
This squad is built to play a structured, territory-first game with quick recycling at the ruck. Expect a kicking strategy to relieve pressure and create opportunities for the wings, combined with targeted maul drives and quick ball for midfield runners. Training this week has leaned heavily on set-piece stability, breakdown work and scenario drills designed to speed up decision-making under fatigue. Assistant coach Will Parkin has emphasised connection and resilience in camp—improving off-field relationships, the staff believe, reduces miscommunication when matches get tight.
Strengths and risks
England’s strengths are clear: experienced props to steady the scrum, a mobile pack led by Treacey, and a backline capable of turning territory into scores. The bench offers tactical flexibility and a pipeline of talent gaining international exposure. The main risks lie in integrating several uncapped players in a high-pressure environment and managing workload across a compact schedule. If debutants are rushed into pivotal moments, there’s potential for costly errors; the coaching staff have therefore mapped substitution windows carefully to limit that possibility.
Data, preparation and in-game management
Selection and match planning have been informed by club reports, GPS metrics, video analysis and recent performances. The staff use telemetry to guide substitutions and manage fatigue, while scenario-based drills rehearse responses to cards, turnovers and momentum swings. In practice, that means introducing impact ball carriers or a composed defender at predefined moments—often the 50–60 minute window—to either regain territory or shore up a lead.
Recent form and the road ahead
England U20s arrive in Bath with encouraging recent results: a warm-up win for a Bath United side (45-17 on 24 January) and victories in the opening rounds over Wales (19-16, 6 February) and Scotland (33-17, 13 February). After Ireland, the side travels to Treviso (6 March) and closes the campaign in La Rochelle (15 March). Those fixtures will keep testing the squad’s rotation patterns and developmental plan; performances here will shape selections for the remaining games and influence individual pathways back into club programmes.
What supporters should expect
On the night, look for a tight, territorial contest where bench management could determine the outcome. Home supporters can buy tickets through the official channels; those watching at home can tune in via BBC iPlayer. For many of the players named, Bath represents a chance to stake a claim on the international stage—either by helping secure a result or by taking meaningful minutes that accelerate their transition to senior rugby. If the coaching staff can manage the integration of newcomers and keep players fresh, England should be well-placed to test Ireland and continue building momentum through the rest of the Six Nations.
