England suffers big blow ahead of Baby Bok face-off

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Randall Baker (New Zealand) has been suspended for three matches and George Timmins (England) for five matches at the World Rugby Under-20 championship.

Baker had his three-match ban reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme.

The bans came after a foul play review committee considered their respective citing and red card issued during Round One on Sunday, June 29.

A foul play review committee was convened to consider sanctions for Baker and Timmins.

Baker received a red card during the England versus Scotland match at the Payanini Center in Verona, Italy while Randall Baker was cited for a dangerous clear out pursuant to Law 9.20(a) in New Zealand’s match against Italy at the Stadio san Michele, Calvisano, Italy.

The committee was Chaired by Adam Casselden (Australia), joined by former international referee, Donal Courtney (Ireland), and former international player David Croft (Australia).

In accordance with the remit of the new expedited off-field sanction process trial operational in the Under-20 Championship, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix One of Regulation 17.

The committee meets without the attendance the player or their representatives, or World Rugby.

However, written submissions may be provided by the player to the committee for consideration.

The committee has the power to:
Issue a warning
Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17
Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee
Dismiss the red card and/or citings only in the case of mistaken identity

Randall Baker (New Zealand)

The independent committee has confirmed a three-match suspension (reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme) to New Zealand’s Randall Baker after determining an action contrary to Law 9.20(a) (dangerous clear out) during the New Zealand U20 match against Italy on 29 June 2025. The sanction has been accepted by the player.

In determining the sanction, the committee reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, determined that Baker’s actions were contrary to Law 9.20(a) (dangerous clear out), in that he made direct head contact, and the action carried a high degree of danger with no available mitigation.

Applying World Rugby’s mandatory mid-range entry point, the committee decided to propose a 3-match suspension, reduced to 2 matches subject to successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme. The player has accepted the sanction.

Baker is therefore suspended for the following matches:
* New Zealand U20s v Georgia, 4 July 2025
* New Zealand U20s v Italy, 9 July 2025
* New Zealand U20s v TBC, 14 July 2025 – should he apply for and successfully complete the Coaching Intervention Sanction Mitigation programme, he will be free to play in this match

George Timmins (England)

The independent foul play review committee has confirmed a 5 match suspension to England’s George Timmins after determining an action contrary to Law 9.12 (striking with the elbow) during the England U20 match against Scotland on 29 June 2025.

The sanction has been accepted by the player.

The committee decided that the correct entry point for the offending was top end. In reaching their decision, the Committee considered, amongst other factors, the deliberate actions of the player, the vulnerable position of the victim player on the ground, and the victim player suffering an injury to his face which required stitches.

Having applied mitigation, the committee proposed sanction was reduced to five matches.

The Player is therefore suspended for the following matches:
* 4 July 2025 – England v South Africa (U20C);
* 9 July 2025 – England v Australia (U20C);
* 14 July 2025 – England v TBC (U20C);
* 19 July 2025 – England v TBC (U20C);
* 6 September 2025 – Bath v Glasgow (Preseason)