Mapletoft named his 26-man squad to travel to Argentina in June, including just six survivors from the 2009 side that lost to New Zealand in the final.

But one notable absentee is star lock James Gaskell who is already ruled out with a foot injury while Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes are also unavailable due to their call up to Martin Johnson’s senior squad.

England Under-20s finished second in this year’s Six Nations clash on points difference to champions Ireland despite seeing his squad ravaged by club commitments and injuries.

He said: "The way we finished the Six Nations with some of our attacking play makes it hard not to be enthused.

“The players not involved at the back end of the tournament - like Gloucester's Freddie Burns and Jonny May - have really bounced back fantastically well. You've got to have players in form.

"The forwards performed consistently well, so that part of selection was fairly straightforward.

“The backs were a little bit more complicated after guys came in from outside the squad and did well, and other guys have picked up some good game time with their clubs. Overall we've got a really good balance."

And Mapletoft insists his side can go one better and win the tournament this year, but admits that England face a test just to get out of a group that contains Ireland, France and hosts Argentina.

"The group will be fascinating with three very difficult matches. In the Six Nations we lost to Ireland, then beat France quite comfortably, and Argentina at home is supposed to be our 'easiest' game.” he added.

“We'll have to be very strong. Whoever wins our group will be really battle-hardened going into the semi-finals."

England U20 Junior World Championship squad

Forwards
Arthur Ellis (London Wasps)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons)
Calum Green (Leicester Tigers)
Lee Imiolek (Sale Sharks)
Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
Jacob Rowan (Leeds Carnegie)
Mako Vunipola (Bristol Rugby)
Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons)
Jackson Wray (Saracens)

Backs
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Casson (Harlequins)
Tom Catterick (Newcastle Falcons)
Rory Clegg (Harlequins)
Charlie Davies (Stade Francais)
Andrew Forsyth (Leicester Tigers)
Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Homer (London Irish)
Will Hurrell (Leicester Tigers)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Sam Smith (Harlequins)
Christian Wade (London Wasps)