England U20s: Quins prop Ollie Streeter and Falcons nine Joe Davis recall Premiership debuts ahead of U20 World Champs

While the match was an uncapped warm-up fixture for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship, England's 47-14 win carried extra weight for both players in the squad. For 18-year-old Ollie Streeter, the game marked his first involvement with the England U20s on a matchday.

Despite his youth, Streeter has already made three Premiership appearances off the bench for Harlequins, including a memorable debut at Allianz Stadium against Gloucester earlier this year. His rapid rise is even more remarkable considering he only started playing rugby at 13.

“I don't know what I was doing before that, I think I was playing cricket or something but I'm rubbish at that,” Streeter said. “One of my mates said to come down to a local rugby club and I went from there.”

Since then, he’s gone through the Harlequins academy system after being recommended by a school P.E. teacher. Now, around five years after picking up the sport, Streeter is preparing to represent his country at U20 level for the first time.

“For me, I'm not as nervous as some of the lads on their first appearance would be,” he explained. “I was in and around it before the Six Nations, been in a lot of camps before and done the 19s stuff a few months ago. Don’t have the butterflies in my stomach but I can't speak for tomorrow yet. I'm just really up for getting onto the field and playing.”

Streeter’s experience in the Premiership has given him early exposure to elite-level rugby.

“Talk about the deep end, it was pretty mental. When selection came out I was nervous and then on the pitch, came on and had a few scrums. It wasn’t perfect, first Prem appearance, I don’t think anyone has had a perfect debut... but it was great to get a taste of a Premiership scrum and I loved it.”

Meanwhile, at scrum-half, Joe Davis brings a wealth of top-level minutes to the U20s side.

Still just 19, Davis has played 12 times for Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership, including a standout appearance against Exeter Chiefs where he scored his first try.

“When I caught it and I was running in I wondered whether it would get pulled back,” Davis said of that try. “Nicking it off Ben Coen was quite handy, quite funny after the game. But, brilliant. You watch it on TV when you're younger and watch players coming up through the ranks and your favourite players on the TV scoring tries in the Prem, it was quite a cool moment.”

Davis featured off the bench in England’s 23-13 loss to Wales during the final round of this year’s U20 Six Nations in Cardiff. That game cost England a Grand Slam and the Championship, adding extra motivation heading into Friday’s fixture.

“It is behind us, we are prepping for the World Cup now, there's a little bit of ‘They did one over on us,’” Davis admitted. “The lads who played in that game will want to put a marker down, but we're all about prepping for the World Cup.”

For him, the step between Premiership rugby and U20s is less about intensity and more about the environment and focus.

“Playing in the Prem gives you a perspective on what the top level is like,” he said. “20s is the pathway to that top level and when you're playing in the Prem mistakes can cost you and in youth level you can get away with it.”

“When you're playing in the Prem there's a lot of experience around it... Physicality is a bit different. Arguably the 20s can be quicker, there's a bit more space. Most of the lads here are professionals so the vibe around camp and level in training isn't too different.”

England will be captained by Ben Redshaw, another Falcons player, who will experience his first game as skipper at this level.

“Great bloke,” Davis said. “What he brings to the squad is experience, he's played a fair bit in the Prem and has a fair few caps for the 20s and 18s setup. A big voice in the group. Buzzing for him and hoping he goes well at the weekend.”

With the U20 World Championship approaching fast, Friday’s match offers England a chance to fine-tune and start building momentum. The squad are aware they’re defending champions, but as Streeter pointed out, this year is about creating their own legacy.

“As much as last year was great... this year, in camp now, it’s all about us and this group, how we can go and do the same because there’s no point talking about their memories, we've got to make our own.”