From 3 to 27 November, England U17 are competing at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with one clear ambition: to shine on the international stage and challenge for the title with a squad that, on paper, looks more than capable. However, their opening fixture against Venezuela did not go to plan. Despite a bright start, numerous chances and an overall encouraging performance, the Young Lions fell to a 3–0 defeat – a scoreline largely explained by the opponents’ clinical finishing. This second outing, against Haiti – regarded as the weakest side in the group – offers the perfect opportunity to reset, regain momentum and secure a first win in the competition. Read more Read More
England A return to the international stage this Saturday against the All Blacks XV in a clash that promises valuable insights for the medium-term future of English rugby. Between players already glimpsed at senior level and emerging talents from the 2024 U20 World Championship, Mark Mapletoft is fielding a side in Bath brimming with ambition. While the fixture will not count as a full Test, it offers a rare opportunity for young players to measure themselves against the intensity and demands of top-level rugby. Conceived as a bridge between the U20s and the senior England squad, this match forms part of a broader development strategy that has been carefully implemented over recent months under the guidance of Steve Borthwick. Read more Read More
From 3 to 27 November, England U17 will compete at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with a clear objective: to shine on the global stage and challenge for the title with a highly competitive squad. Under the guidance of Neil Ryan, it will in fact be the U18 cohort – players born in 2008 – who represent the Three Lions, due to a qualification calendar that began over a year ago. Their opening group match, against Venezuela, will provide the Young Lions with their first opportunity to set the tone. Read more Read More
