Junior Kpoku returns to England U20s line-up for Georgia

Junior Kpoku has been named in the England U20 side to face Georgia this Saturday in Tbilisi, marking a return to international age-grade rugby for the Racing 92 second-row.

The 6’8, 119kg lock had featured in four of England’s five U20s Six Nations games earlier this year.

The 19-year-old, who plays his club rugby in France, is one of three rugby-playing brothers plying their trade across the Channel. His older brother Joel, also a lock who can operate at blindside, is currently with Pau, while his twin Jonathan plays for third-tier side Bourgoin-Jallieu. The trio, originally from Newham in East London, came through the Saracens academy system and are of DR Congo heritage.

Kpoku is among a trio of forwards drafted into the starting line-up by head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant Andy Titterrell, with Bath’s Vilikesa Sela and Leicester Tigers’ Sam Williams also selected in the pack. The matchday squad will take on Georgia at Avchala Stadium at 15:00 BST, with the game streamed live on the Georgian Rugby Facebook channel.

Saturday’s uncapped fixture serves as preparation for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, where England open their campaign against Scotland on 29 June in Verona.

Fixture

World Rugby U20 Championship

England U20

56 - 19

Full-time

Scotland U20

All Stats and Data

2025 U20 Six Nations captain Tom Burrow once again leads the side, continuing a breakthrough campaign for the former Bishop Burton flanker. Elsewhere, Saracens centre Noah Caluori and Harlequins utility back Josh Bellamy retain their starting places, with Bellamy shifting to full-back.

Pontypool try-scorers Tyler Offiah (Bath), Nic Allison (Exeter) and Jonny Weimann (Northampton) are also included, while the bench features Sale Sharks duo Jos Gilmore and Seb Kelly, U19 scrum-half Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens), and Northampton’s Oli Scola.

Andy Titterrell said: “The team showed resolve to secure an impressive result in Pontypool, but our main takeaway was how the players united as a Brotherhood in their first game together as a squad. It was an encouraging display.

“There’s a lot to be excited about with this group, but our focus remains on embedding our identity through high performance and cohesion on and off the field.

“This week’s fixture offers another opportunity to implement our routines and processes ahead of a crucial month of development for a group that is already eager to impress.”

England U20s: 
15. Josh Bellamy
14. Noah Caluori
13. Nick Lilley
12. Nic Allison
11. Tyler Offiah
10. Ben Coen
9. Jonny Weimann
1. Ralph McEachran
2. Alfie Longstaff
3. Vilikesa Sela
4. Tom Burrow (c)
5. Junior Kpoku
6. George Timmins
7. Sam Williams
8. Kane James

Replacements:
16. Louie Gulley
17. Oli Scola
18. Ollie Streeter
19. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
20. Seb Kelly
21. Olamide Sodeke
22. Jos Gilmore
23. Jack Bracken
24. Ben Redshaw
25. Reggie Hammick
26. Asa Stewart-Harris
27. Will Knight
28. Campbell Ridl
29. Jack Cotgreave
30. Tye Raymont

England’s 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures (all available to stream live on RugbyPass TV)

England vs. Scotland – Sunday 29th June, 14:30 BST – Payanini Centre, Verona
England vs. South Africa – Friday 4th July, 17:00 BST – Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo
England vs. Australia – Wednesday 9th July, 17:00 BST – Payanini Centre, Verona
Placing/semi-final fixtures – Monday 14th July (KO TBC) – Payanini Centre, Verona and Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
Play-off/final fixtures – Saturday 19th July (KO TBC) – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano and Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo