ENGLAND U20 Men’s head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant coach Andy Titterrell have selected their 30-player squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

Among the squad is Crediton Rugby Club forward, Louie Gulley, who this April signed a senior contract with Exeter Chiefs.

The 19-year-old rising star, a young hooker with five caps, was one of four Chiefs players included in England’s 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship winning squad.

He received his first England start in this year’s U20 Six Nation tournament, scoring a try in the game against Italy U20 at the Recreation Ground.

He joined the Chiefs Academy four years ago having first picked up a rugby ball at the Crediton club as a youngster.

Diligently working to improve his rugby skills, the local lad joined the University of Exeter team to take the next step in his Chiefs journey and has continued to excel.

In April, Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said: “Louie is one of our young players that we’re absolutely delighted to have under contract with the club. He’s been having a great season with both the university and England U20.

“He’s a player we see with a bright future, someone who is likely to move forward to start featuring with the senior Chiefs group over the next 12 to 18 months.

“He’s someone we’re certainly planning on becoming one of our senior players of the future, having a bright career at Exeter. He’s one of the local lads that we would like to see become one of the core parts of what we achieve over the coming seasons.”

Also included in the side bound for Italy from Exeter Chiefs are Kane James, Ben Coen, Nic Allison, Nick Lilley and Campbell Ridl.

The reigning champions open their tournament against Scotland on Sunday, June 29, the final on July 19.