England U18 Men squad announced for Six Nations Festival
England U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin have selected a 26-player squad to travel to Parma, Italy for the 2024 U18 Men’s Six Nations Rugby Festival.
The third edition of the tournament, which sees Portugal and Georgia incorporated for the first time, starts on Saturday 30th March with each side playing three 70-minute matches across the week.
18 of the 26 selected players have represented the U18s previously, with 11 of those earning their first England appearance in a recent fixture against France.
The eight uncapped players include Exeter Chiefs’ Israel Akinrowo, Olly Allport and Jonno Balding of Gloucester Rugby, Tyler Offiah (London & South Central), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens) and Harlequins trio Elliot Williams, Felix Bateman-Champain and Ollie Streeter.
Eight Premiership Rugby academies, as well as the RFU-centralised academies of London & South Central, Midlands Central and Midlands West, are represented in the makeup of the squad. 21 colleges and schools also see their students represent the England Rugby pathway on the international stage this spring.
Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi will stage the festival for the first time. All three match days are free admission, fixtures are also available to watch on Six Nations channels.
"Our purpose is to support our players in exploring their competitive opportunities, and give them the tools to excel as England players as they have for their academies. We have every confidence that they will, and they are fully prepared to represent their country with pride," Pendlebury added.
"With our selection now finalised, the playing squad and staff group eagerly anticipate our trip to Parma."
England U18 Six Nations Festival squad
Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Bedford Blues RFC) *
Israel Akinrowo (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Devenport Services RFC)
Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close College, Stow-on-the-wold & District RFC)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, Overton RFC)
Felix Bateman-Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, East Grinstead RFC)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, Bromley RFC) *
Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Durham City Rugby Football Club) *
Dan Green (Sale Sharks, St Ambrose School, Bowdon RUFC) *
Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Blaydon Rugby Club) *
Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, Rochdale RUFC) *
George Knowles (Midlands West, Hereford Cathedral School, Ledbury Rugby Club) *
Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College) *
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, Chippenham RFC) *
Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College) *
Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School, Battersea Ironsides Rugby Club) *
Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury, Hertford RFC) *
Tyler Offiah (London & South Central, Wellington College, Ealing Trailfinders)
George Pearson (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, Buckingham RUFC) *
Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, Saracens)
Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College, Aylesbury RFC) *
Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Seaford School, Worthing Rugby Club) *
Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, Haywards Heath RFC)
Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, New Milton RFC) *
Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Royston Rugby Club) *
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, London Irish Amateur RFC)
Rafe Witheat (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, Ampthill RUFC) *
*denotes a player capped at England U18 level
England U18 Men’s Festival Fixtures
Match day 1 (Saturday 30th March)
England v Wales (17:45 kick-off)
Match day 2 (Wednesday 3rd April)
Scotland v England (13:15 kick-off)
Match day 3 (Sunday 7th April)
England v Georgia (15:30 kick-off)
