Australia U20s set to face Eddie Jones in Japan U23s hit-out

The Australia U20s will take on a touring Japan U23 outfit under the tutelage of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in Coffs Harbour next month. Photo: Getty Images
The Australia U20s will take on a touring Japan U23 outfit under the tutelage of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in Coffs Harbour next month. Photo: Getty Images

The Australia U20s will take on a touring Japan U23 outfit under the tutelage of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones in Coffs Harbour next month.

The match will be played at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Friday 11 April, and broadcast live and on-demand on Stan Sport.

Watch Australia U20s take on Japan U23 live and on-demand, exclusively on Stan Sport.

Jones returns to Australia for the first match since his tenure as Wallabies coach, deparing at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A 30-man Australia U20 squad under new head coach Chris Whitaker will attend a week-long training camp in Coffs Harbour leading up to the clash.

The camp will kick-start preparations for the upcoming U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa and World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

"This game presents an invaluable opportunity for our team to come together and test themselves against an international-class opposition," Whitaker said.

"A physical hit-out against slightly older players will serve us well given our next games will be against New Zealand and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

"We know Eddie Jones will have his team organised and well-drilled and we expect they will pose a significant challenge on the day."

The Japan U23 tour also includes matches against an Australian Barbarians side in Coffs Harbour on Saturday 5 April and Randwick at Coogee Oval on Tuesday 15 April.

Australia U20 Squad for camp and Japan game

ACT Brumbies

Finn Baxter - Gungahlin Eagles

Ollie Aylmer - TBC

Eli Langi - Tuggeranong Vikings

Beau Morrison - Sydney University

Lachlan Smith- Gungahlin Eagles

Joe Dillon - Canberra Royals

Malakye Enasio - Gungahlin Eagles

Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings

Western Force            

Boston Fakafanua - Wests Scarborough

Ollie Barrett - Associates RUFC

Finn Prass - Wests Scarborough

Queensland Reds                          

Trevor King - Souths

John Grenfell - University of Queensland

Charlie Brosnan - Brothers

Tom Robinson - University of Queensland

James Martens - GPS Rugby Club

Dre Pakeho - Brothers

Xavier Rubens - Souths

Nick Conway - Wests Bulldogs

NSW Waratahs                                    

Nathaniel Tiitii - Eastern Suburbs

Nick Hill - Warringah

Kaleb Ah-Colt - Randwick

Edwin Langi - Eastern Suburbs

Charlie O'Kane - Eastern Suburbs

Eamon Doyle - Sydney University

Joe Mangelsdorf - Sydney University

Jacob Veiru - Eastern Suburbs

Toby Brial - Eastern Suburbs

Hwi Sharples - Sydney University

Joey Fowler - Sydney University

Liam Grover - Sydney University

Cooper Watters - Eastern Suburbs 

Unavailable for selection            

Billy Hanson (Brumbies, injury)

Sam McLachlan (Brumbies, injury)

Finlay King (Reds, injury)

Frankie Goldsbrough (Reds, injury)

Luca Cleverley (Waratahs, injury)

Leo Jaques (Waratahs, injury)

Will Goddard (Waratahs, injury)

Austin Durbidge (Waratahs, injury)

Aden Ekanayake (AU Sevens)

Hadley Tonga (AU Sevens)

Sid Harvey (AU Sevens)

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