Since its inception in 2008, the Under-20s Junior World Cup has been an effective crystal ball in the world of rugby. Impressive sides and performances can jumpstart careers.

Maro Itoje’s 2014 tournament led to him being included in Stuart Lancaster Rugby World Cup training squad just a year later while we are already seeing France’s 2019 winning team integrated during this year’s Six Nations. 

Sometimes, however, a team can shape the very face of its international side for years to come - much like in 2013.

This England side won 23-15 in a comeback victory over Wales, having beaten the baby All Blacks in the semis, and gave us a glimpse of what England would become in just a few years time. 

Although the 2011 class of Ford and Farrell was also influential, this year’s squad represented a changing of the guard which coincided with the rise of Exeter Chiefs as a legitimate Premiership team and their so-called ‘golden generation’.

It was a handy Welsh team too, with Ellis Jenkins, Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams all starting.

However, the England team that lined up the other side of the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes would influence not just the senior side, but the Wales and Italian national teams too. 

Throw in some tragic tales of early retirements, lawsuits against ex-teammates and a sun cream company CFO - this team really does have it all. 

1. Alec Hepburn

The first of the Exeter lads on this list who, in 2013, was in fact plying his trade at Wasps. After a loan spell at London Welsh, he made the fateful move to Sandy Park where he started both the Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership finals last season and became a double winner. Has four England caps to boot. 

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

Solid 69 minute shift from the Cornishman in this game who had made his debut for Exeter at just 18 years of age in 2011. Has gone from strength to strength and is now arguably the best hooker in the country. LCD will be pressing Jamie George for an England and Lions starting spot when back from injury.  

3. Scott Wilson

This promising tighthead sadly had his career cut short in August 2018 at 24 due to neck injuries sustained during Newcastle’s Premiership semi-final defeat to Exeter in May that year. A local geordie boy through and through, he made 80 appearances for the Falcons and regularly started when they made the Premiership play-offs. Wilson also appeared for England Saxons in 2014.  

4. Tom Price 

The mammoth 6ft 8in Price played just a handful of games for Leicester Tigers before joining Scarlets where he made a handy 56 appearances for the province. Transferred to Exeter (you’re seeing a theme aren’t you?) in May 2019 where he chips in for the Devon outfit while Johnny Hill et al are rested. 

5. Dominic Barrow 

A Leeds Carnegie player in 2013, Barrow had spells at Newcastle, Leicester Tigers, La Rochelle and Northampton Saints before retiring in 2019 to become managing director of Pure-EV - a firm specialising in installing electric vehicle charging points. Told The Rugby Paper in February this year his “crushing” omission from the 2017 England tour to Argentina was the catalyst for quitting the game.   

6. Ross Moriarty

Qualified through English grandparents and born in St Helens, Moriarty made his full international debut for Wales just two years after the 2013 JWC and is now a staple of their back row. The British and Irish Lion is approaching 50 caps and is now at Newport-Gwent Dragons having spent most of his career at Gloucester. Speaking to WalesOnline about his time with England under-20s, he said: “I took it as an opportunity which I grabbed with both hands. If I hadn't had taken that route I might never have played for Wales.”

7. Matt Hankin

Strap yourselves in, this is a messy one. The Saracen retired in 2018 after concussion sadly ended his career at just 25, playing his last competitive game of rugby in 2015. Hankin is now suing the club after the two concussions in 2015, the first allegedly happening when he was struck on the head with a fire extinguisher by Richard Barrington during a drinking game while on tour to Budapest. The other came a month later when playing his last game for Saracens. The claim is now being taken to the High Court where Barrington and club doctor Dr Ademola Adejuwon could pay damages if found liable. 

8.Jack Clifford (c)

Yet another player who has left the game prematurely, the under-20s captain retired in August this year due to repeated injuries. The club legend Quin played 100 times for his boyhood club and impressed off the bench in all five matches of England’s 2016 Grand Slam Six Nations campaign. He also trotted out for the Red Rose in a couple of Sevens World Series events in 2014. 

9. Alex Day 

With limited opportunities found at Northampton Saints, Day moved to Cornish Pirates in 2015 where he enjoyed a fruitful spell and was named the clubs 2017/18 Players Player of the Year. Signed for Saracens in August 2019 as cover and should get the opportunity to show his talent when they eventually tackle the Championship next season.

10. Henry Slade

Having only played his first Premiership match in early 2013, Slade enjoyed a meteoric rise and was involved in the 2015 and 2019 England Rugby World Cup squads. Now firmly a centre after his earlier days as a utility back, Slade is one of the classiest players in the world and will be eyeing up a regular starting berth for England - along with half an eye on the trip to South Africa with the Lions next season.  

11. Ben Howard

The Worcester Warrior enjoyed a stellar start to his young career, marking his first start for the club with two tries in the Challenge Cup and named Supporter’s Young Player of the Year in their 2014/15 season in the Championship. Moved to National League 1 outfit Old Elthamians in 2018, with Howard saying he moved to the Bromley-based outfit in part due to his “disillusionment” with the professional rugby player’s lifestyle. 

12. Sam Hill

Another Exeter alumni with over 150 appearances for the club, Hill swapped Devon for Manchester in March this year to join the stacked centre options at Sale Sharks. Was part of Eddie Jones’ first England training squad before the 2016 Six Nations and has a loan spell at Cornish Pirates also on his resume. 

13. Harry Sloan

Also involved in the under-20’s 2014 triumph, Sloan progressed through the Harlequins’ ranks after loan spells at London Scottish and Ealing Trailfinders - eventually making a 34 appearances for the club. Joined Trailfinders on a permanent basis in 2018 but is now with Saracens as part of their influx of players made in preparation for their spell in the Championship. 

14. Anthony Watson 

Already a veteran of the under-20s team, having made his debut for them in 2011 at just 18, the electric winger/fullback was playing for the senior England side just a year after this game and became a regular in time for the 2015 World Cup. The Bath man has had his injury troubles, but is still one of the first men in the England team when fit. Another Lions tour beckons next year.

15. Jack Nowell

The quickest to progress from this junior side to the full England set up, Nowell was playing for the senior team just months later in the 2014 Six Nations after his 2012/13 season for the Chiefs where he was named Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year. Now one of the most elusive wingers in the world, Nowell’s number of England caps have only been limited through injury. 

16. Scott Spurling

Saracens hooker spent a period on loan at Bedford Blues and made nearly 30 appearances for the North London side before quietly retiring in 2019 having suffered from injuries throughout his career. Appears to have fallen on his feet and is now Chief Financial Officer at Malibu Sun Cream. 

17. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi

Also a double Under 20s World Cup winner, Hobbs-Awoyemi joined London Irish from boyhood club Northampton Saints and became a regular starter at the Madejski Stadium. Move back to rejoin Saints earlier this year and looked promising but a snapped Achilles in September has put him out for the best part of a year. At 26, he still has time to recover and make an impression. 

18. Tom Smallbone  

Rose through the ranks at London Irish, including 28 Premiership appearances, before retiring in 2018 due to a shoulder injury at new club London Scottish after just two appearances. Now appears to be a good egg volunteering for 3Pillars, a charity nurturing young people in, and post, prison. 

19. Harry Wells

This Lock/Flanker came through the famous Leicester Tigers’ academy before a permanent move to Bedford Blues seemed to suggest obscurity was likely. Impressive form earned him a move back to his hometown club in 2016 however, where he has been a faithful servant ever since and was a regular starter during Leicester’s testing 2019/20 campaign. 

20. David Sisi

Made a big impact off the bench in this game - the big blindside is Italy-qualified through his father Carlo and made his debut for the Azzurri in 2019. Was also involved in their 2019 World Cup squad. A former Bath and London Irish player, he has found regular game time after a move to Zebre in 2017.

21. Callum Braley

Back to back future Italy internationals on the bench with Braley qualifying through his grandfather. Made over 100 appearances for Gloucester and captained England’s 2014 JWC winners before catching the attention of Conor O’Shea. Also included in the 2019 World Cup squad and has moved to Benetton this season, strengthening his Italian ties.    

22.Ollie Devoto

These Exeter boys won’t go away, will they? Devoto had a meteoric rise before limited playing time at Bath brought a move to Sandy Park. Started in the Premiership wins over Wasps in 2017 (over Henry Slade) and 2020 while his impressive form has caught the attention of Eddie Jones with the centre included in his England squad as recently as February this year. 

23.Henry Purdy

Although now firmly ingrained in the Bristol Bears, Purdy has enjoyed a somewhat nomadic existence. Playing for Leicester Tigers in 2014, he went on loan to Nottingham before establishing himself at Gloucester. In 2019, he had a season at Otago before moving to Championship Coventry before an impressive loan at the Bears in 2020 secured him a two year contract.    

Are there any other classic sides you’d like us to take a look at? Comment below!