Whitaker names strong Australia Under-20 squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australia Under-20 head coach Chris Whitaker has named a 30-man squad to contest the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

The squad will assemble in Sydney next week before departing for Italy on Saturday, June 21.

The tournament runs from Sunday, June 29 to Sunday, July 20 with Australia drawn in Pool A alongside defending champions England, South Africa and Scotland.

Waratahs lock Eamon Doyle retains the captaincy after leading the side in the recent U20 Rugby Championship.

“This group of young men have worked extremely hard to earn the opportunity to represent Australia on the biggest stage in age-grade rugby,” Whitaker said.

“They’re all excited to pull on the gold jersey and test themselves against the best in the world.

“Every match we play in Italy will present a formidable challenge however we believe our preparation has set us up to meet that challenge.”

Australia U20 squad: Finn Baxter (Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), Nathaniel Tiitii (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Nick Hill (Waratahs, Warringah), Edwin Langi (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Trevor King (Reds, Souths), Lotu Vunipola (Waratahs, Sydney University), Will Guilfoyle (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC), Lipina Ata (Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), Ollie Aylmer (Brumbies, Gordon), Charlie Brosnan (Reds, Brothers), Joe Mangelsdorf (Waratahs, Sydney University), Eamon Doyle (captain) (Waratahs, Sydney University), Tom Robinson (Reds, University of Queensland), Eli Langi (Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings), Beau Morrison (Brumbies, Sydney University), Aden Ekanayake (Australia Sevens), Toby Brial (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Hwi Sharples (Waratahs, Sydney University), James Martens (Reds, GPS Rugby Club), Joey Fowler (Waratahs, Sydney University), Joe Dillon (Brumbies, Canberra Royals), Boston Fakafanua (Western Force, Wests Scarborough), Dre Pakeho (Reds, Brothers), Liam Grover (Waratahs, Sydney University), Xavier Rubens (Reds, Souths), Nicholas Conway (Reds, Wests Bulldogs), Cooper Watters (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Sid Harvey (Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), Shane Wilcox (Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings).