The USA U20s have named their lineup to face England U20s during the Junior World Championships.
This is yet another very stern test for the Americans, who will have faced Argentina, England, and Ireland in pool play.
In the last 10 years, England's U20s have only lost one pool match out of 13, that being a loss to South Africa last year. These two teams have only met once in the JWC, with England winning 109-0 in 2013. England's opening match was a tough 34-27 victory over Ireland.
For the USA, they are coming off a 78-14 loss to Argentina that had some positive moments for the Junior Eagles.
Among those positives were two well-taken tries. The Eagle continuity was good, with the USA putting together five or more phases in 32% of their possessions in the match vs Argentina. That was the most of any team in the opening round.
However, it also points to a fact that other teams with lower percentages (England was at 8.3%) either chose to kick more, or just scored before they reached five phases.
The USA also went wide (that is, moving the ball 30 meters or more laterally) more than any team save for South Africa. USA flyhalf Declan Cadden assisted on four line breaks against Argentina, which is more than any other player.
Meanwhile, England's "go wide" percentage of 12% was almost equal to the USA's mark of 13%. England's defense stopped Ireland before the gainline on 35% of carries, which is the best mark of any team, and Sam Winters gained 131 meters on five carries for a competition-leading 26.2 average (for anyone who carried at least twice).
USA Head Coach Neets Gericke has made several changes in this squad. Three players—Aidan Stewart, Liam Hill, and Frank Finicle—move from the reserves bench to a starting place.
Four players—Jack Firebrace, Finnian Love, Jameson Beatty, and Blake Miller get the starting nod after not featuring in the gameday 23 against Argentina. Harrison Cliff is on the reserves bench after not playing in the opener.
Of the 38 players in the JWC squad, 10 have yet to see game time.
