Haag’s targeting repeat success

MARTIN Haag has named his England U20 elite player squad (EPS) for the season looking to defend their World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.

The 32-man squad features 10 players capped at this level. Sam Aspland-Robinson, Theo Brophy Clews, Zach Mercer, Harry Randall, Max Wright and Max Malins all featured in June’s U20 World Cup win.

Ralph Adams-Hale, Curtis Langdon, Jamie Shillcock and Paolo Odogwu have all experienced U20 rugby while nine players went on the recent U18 tour to South Africa.

The squad will come together for the first time and train at Loughborough University this October.

Haag said: “We’ve picked a strong squad with a lot of experience and it’s an exciting time because every year will bring new opportunities for different players to impress at this level.

“Players like Joe Marchant and Will Evans should be the example of what this group can achieve and while we are proud of our recent record in major tournaments, this is the start of a new rugby journey with this talented group of players.

“We have seen a large number of these players grow through the pathway and for us it’s about challenging and inspiring these guys to be the best they can individually and as a team.”