The class of 2008: What happened to the England XV that reached the first U20 final?

The class of 2008: What happened to the England XV that reached the first U20 final?

Lock: Ben Thomas – RETIRED

The second-row, who was then a Saracens player, later joined Rotherham Titans in the Championship before moving to National League One side Coventry.


Lock: Gregor Gillanders – Rosslyn Park

He was a professional rugby player for Leicester Tigers, Bedford Blues and London Scottish before going part-time with Blackheath to concentrate on work away from the sport. He, however, returned to play for London Scottish before joining Rosslyn Park.


Flanker: Jon Fisher – RETIRED

The then London Irish player had a fantastic career, representing the Exiles, Bedford, Northampton and Bristol in his career. Fisher, by mutual agreement with Bristol Rugby, opted to take time out to assess his playing career in 2017 following ten years in the top flight. The flanker, who represented England against the Barbarians in 2015, then decided to hang up his boots and returned to London Irish as a forwards coach.


Flanker: Calum Clark – Saracens

Clark has featured for his country at age group level, playing for England U18’s up to U20’s. He progressed to senior International rugby in 2014, captaining England Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds, as well as being included in the Elite training squad, making a full debut against France in the Rugby World Cup 2015 warm-up match against France.


Number 8: Hugo Ellis – Rosslyn Park

The captain of the England U20 side, who scored two tries on the way to the final, Ellis was a Wasps player at the time before joining Newport Gwent Dragons in 2010. He then joined Welsh Premiership side Newport before making the move back to England to join Rosslyn Park in 2012.

Replacements: Scott Freer (Leeds Carnegie), Billy Moss (Bath Rugby), Scott Hobson (Cornish Pirates), Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Rob Miller (Newcastle Falcons), Seb Stegmann (Harlequins).