After five years England return to the field of a Men’s World Championship and open up with a game against perennial rivals Australia in Pool A on Thursday evening (7pm PDT/3am BST).
The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship presented by Rady Children’s Hospital began last night with the Opening Ceremony and first match between the United States and Canada at San Diego State University’s newly constructed Snapdragon Stadium.
This year’s event, the 14th edition of the men’s championship, features 30 teams vying for the sport’s biggest prize across 11 days of competition.
Following a 5th place finish in Israel in 2018, England face up against the world’s best in Pool A with match ups against hosts USA, Canada and Haudenosaunee in addition to their opener.
The England side is a strong mix of youth and experience with captain Andrew Baxter and Jak Wawrzyniak both bringing a strong core to the side as they rack up an incredible fourth consecutive World Championship appearance.
Both goalies William Baxter and Hal Dwobeng return after their world stage debuts in 2018, while Christian Scarpello and Sean Goldsmith add PLL and NCAA experience.
Meanwhile, 13 players make their World Championship debuts - with five stepping up from last year’s U21 Worlds team.
The group is highlighted by 17-year-old Hugo Peel who becomes the youngest ever player for England at a World Championship while Danny Hilditch, who top scored for the junior side in Ireland last year, features in attack.
Looking at opponents Australia, eight players return from their 2018 team that finished fourth for the second straight men’s championship in 2018 after a narrow 14-12 defeat to the Haudenosaunee in the bronze medal game.
NCAA pairing Mitchell Baker and Connor McDonough step up from their U21s with the former at Rutgers and the latter currently at Towson University.
They narrowly came out 7-6 winners the last time we met five years ago and the opening fixture will be a good yardstick for both sides as they look to navigate their way through pool play.
The 30 teams are split into six pools of five, with the top five nations in the rankings making up Pool A and all advancing to next week’s Playoffs with the chance to win a medal, in addition to nine other sides from the other pools.
Check out our explainer video for more information on how it all works.
For all the latest updates from the Championship head to our official hub for the England Men's Lacrosse Team out in San Diego and subscribe to our Championship mailing list for daily updates direct to your inbox.
ESPN is the exclusive television partner of the Men’s Championship with ESPN Player broadcasting every fixture to the UK including all England matches.