Lynagh headlines Junior Wallabies squad for U20 World Championships

Tue, Jun 6, 2023, 11:56 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Junior Wallabies squad has been confirmed for the U20 World Championships. Photo: Getty Images
The Junior Wallabies squad has been confirmed for the U20 World Championships. Photo: Getty Images

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has confirmed a 30-man squad for the U20 World Championships in South Africa.

Queensland Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh will get the chance to pull on the gold jersey for the first time, following in his father's footsteps.

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He is joined by Western Force prop Marley Pearce, scoring during their win over the ACT Brumbies, and Brumbies debutant Klayton Thorn.

The squad is largely similar to the one that went to New Zealand at the start of the month and split the two-Test series against their Kiwi counterparts, with Force winger Ronan Leahy retaining his spot after a first Test hat-trick following his late inclusion.

"After completing a successful tour to New Zealand, we are excited to represent Australia in Cape Town and test ourselves against the rest of the world," Grey said in a statement.

"All players who have been part of the program this year have worked extremely hard together to give our team the best opportunity for success."

NSW Waratahs scrumhalf Teddy Wilson will captain the side, set to feature in their quarter-final against the Blues on Saturday.

He is deputised by Force backrower Ned Slack-Smith and Reds hooker Max Craig.

The team will assemble in Sydney next week for a final hit-out against a Barbarians outfit on June 14 before departing for Cape Town on June 17.

"It will take a squad effort to deliver performances we are proud of and achieve our goal of winning the tournament," Grey added.

"The Barbarians game will be the final piece in the preparation puzzle, getting us match-ready and physically prepared for what we will face in South Africa."

They have been drawn in Pool B, opening their campaign against Fiji on June 25 (12:30 am).

The Junior Wallabies will then face Six Nations champions Ireland (June 29, 7:00 pm) and England (July 4, 10:00 pm).

JUNIOR WALLABIES - WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 2023

Reds

Taj Annan (Souths)

Nick Baker (GPS)

Nick Bloomfield (Easts)

John Bryant (Souths)

Max Craig (Easts) - vice captain

Trevor King (Souths)

Tom Lynagh (UQ)

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Souths)

Tim Ryan (Brothers)

Harrison Usher (Bond)

Force

Ronan Leahy (Sydney Uni)

Jhy Legg (Wests Scarborough)

Marley Pearce (Joondalup Brothers)

Ned Slack-Smith (Palmyra) - vice captain

Brumbies

Liam Bowron (Royals)

Massimo De Lutiis (Wests)

Lachlan Hooper (Tuggeranong)

Toby Macpherson (Uni-Norths)

Klayton Thorn (Gungahlin)

Rebels

Mason Gordon (Wests Bulldogs)

Darby Lancaster

Daniel Maiava (Wyndham Rhinos)

Leafi Talataina (Endeavour Hills)

David Vaihu (Wests Bulldogs)

Waratahs

Jack Barrett (Randwick)

Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)

Ollie McCrea (Eastern Suburbs)

Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)

Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts)

Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs) - captain

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