England U20s: back row Sam Williams talks his Leicester Tigers rise ahead of international breakthrough

The 20-year-old is yet to earn an international cap at any age-grade level, but his selection in Mark Mapletoft’s squad marks a major milestone in his career to date. Williams had been included in the build-up to this year’s U20 Six Nations, only to be sidelined before the tournament began.

Now, he’s determined to make the most of this long-awaited opportunity.

“The biggest thing is just excitement,” he said. “I was in with these boys before the Six Nations campaign and unfortunately missed out on that because of injury, so it's something that I've been waiting for a little bit longer than I thought I would. Just happy to be in the camp with the boys. The general feeling for everyone is excitement. Looking forward to it.”

Williams will likely be thrust straight into the deep end, with England kicking off their campaign this Sunday against Scotland in Verona before facing South Africa and Australia in a challenging pool.

England arrive in Italy as reigning champions, having won the 2024 edition in South Africa, and the expectation will be to defend that crown.

For Williams, the step up to international age-grade rugby comes after a season of progress in the men’s game.

He made appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup for Leicester and gained valuable experience on loan with Championship side Nottingham, where he featured regularly.

“I feel pretty comfortable,” Williams said. “I'm at Leicester which is obviously a class club, and I've got experience of men's rugby there through the Prem Cup and then went on loan to Nottingham, so I've played a few Champ games. As a back rower, that physicality was the biggest thing. I think I've done well at those levels, so I feel like I'm good to go. I feel ready.”

He elaborated on some key differences between men’s and age-grade rugby and spoke about how he’s adapted to them.

“Physicality - I know it's the one you always hear but my position's changed a bit. When I was in the academy I was a bit more of a ball-carrying eight, and when you get into men's rugby you're not quite as big as the other boys. So, I've definitely had to work on the other aspects of my game. My fitness and the number of involvements I can get around the pitch - that's what I pride myself on now.”

He added, “As I become more physical and put on size over the years, then some of those ball-carrying things will come back into play a bit.”

At Leicester, Williams has been surrounded by top-class back row talent, a resource he’s tapped into during his development.

“It’s been good. I definitely try and pick a fair few brains. You’ve got boys like Meks (Emeka Ilione) or Reffsy (Tommy Reffell), who are world class over the ball, and then your more abrasive carriers like Crackers (Ollie Cracknell). Even younger boys that have been through this system - I’ve not really had much experience at age-grade level with England, so to have people to talk to at the club around this environment, what I can expect coming in, what the coaches are looking for - that’s been a massive help.”

As a relative newcomer to the international environment, Williams has taken quickly to the tight-knit nature of the squad, of which he is the only player in this current group of players to play for Tigers.

“I remember when I came the first time, luckily there were a few Leicester boys there so that made it a bit easier,” he recalled. “It is a bit odd - you've played against quite a lot of the boys - but rugby's got a special way that as soon as you start playing with lads, it's best for everyone that you get on. You start working hard for each other. You need that in the game, so you quite quickly become mates. Everyone's been really welcoming.”

Now, with the tournament just days away, Williams is focused on embracing the challenge and representing his country for the first time.

“I've not played much rugby at all at U20s level, so I don't really know what to expect,” he admitted. “I know the teams will be pretty physical, but with these boys, we've got nothing to worry about. We'll front up and back ourselves. We know what we need to do. We'll be ready for whatever the other teams bring.”