2023 U18 International Series fixtures confirmed
England U18 Men will travel to South Africa in August for an U18 International Series against France and hosts, South Africa.
The age-grade make the trip to the Rainbow Nation this year for Tests in Durbanville and Paarl, with an invitational Western Province U18 XV team also partaking in the series.
Three rounds of action will be held at school venues on 11, 15 and 19 August, as the Western Province side face their European counterparts on the last two matchdays.
The venue for England's opening encounter with France on the 11th (14:00 kick-off) will be announced in due course, but England's second day matchup with the Western Province Pathways side will take place at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town’s northern suburbs on 15th August (12:00 kick-off)
Paarl Boys High School will host South Africa U18 fixtures with visitors France as well as England on the 19th (14:00 kick-off).
Pendlebury is anticipating another well-contested series after last year’s squad gained a lot of experience ahead of their U18 season.
"Bringing together this group of new players, with some familiar faces, has been a brilliant experience so far and the boys are raring to go," the head coach stated.
"The boys we have at our disposal are a group with a lot of potential, we have selected from a wide range of clubs, schools, colleges and academies which will only add to the unique blend we are forming here.
"The team put in an incredible shift in 2022 and their development as a collective, as well as individuals, was evident - we're aiming for more of the same this August.
"Our games against France, South Africa as well as Western Province, will offer these players room to express themselves and to explore together as a unit. We can't wait for what's in store."
U18 International Series fixtures:
Friday 11th August
England U18 vs France U18 - 14:00 BST
Venue: TBC
Tuesday 15th August
England U18 vs Western Province U18 XV - 12:00 BST
Venue: Stellenberg High School (Durbanville)
Saturday 19th August
South Africa U18 vs England U18 - 14:00 BST
Venue: Paarl Boys High School (Paarl)
England men's U18 squad
Forwards
Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans School)
Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College, ACE)
Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College)
Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School)
Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough School) *
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton) *
Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove)
Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School)
Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff) *
Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College)
Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar School) *
Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow School) *
Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans School)
Backs
Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School) *
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar) *
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School) *
Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow School) *
Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge)
Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar)
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury)
Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s)
Zuko Robb (Harlequins, Gordons School, ACE)
Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield)
Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton School)
*denotes capped player at England U18 level
Louie Platt has joined up with the England U18 squad ahead of the series