England U18 Men's team to face Georgia
Jonathan Pendlebury has named his squad to face Georgia in their final 2024 U18 Men's Six Nations Festival fixture.
The pathway side will be seeking to retain a 100% record when they face off against the tournament newcomers this Sunday (KO 14:30 BST) at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
A fully capped side has been named for the first time in the tournament, with eight pathway players awarded their first international appearances across the first two match days of this year’s competition.
Connor Treacey resumes his captaincy of the side and makes his first start at number eight, with match day 2 skipper Patrick Hogg one of three forwards to retain their starting berth after victory against Scotland. Dan Green (Sale Sharks), Tyler Offiah (London & South Central) and Exeter Chiefs duo Nick Lilley and Israel Akinrowo reclaim their place in the starting backline.
Last-minute heroics from the boot of Bath Rugby’s James Linegar secured England’s opening day 36-35 win over Wales, England then continued their form with a four-try outing against Scotland. Georgia succumbed to Scotland 22-14 before an historic first tournament win over France on Wednesday, finishing 20-19.
Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Georgia and Portugal have been welcome additions to the tournament, already proving their worth with impressive performances and the importance of collective development at this level can’t be understated. We’re relishing the challenge ahead this weekend.
“The coaches and I have been thoroughly impressed with the headstrong mentality and brotherhood of our team, it’s been a really pleasing aspect of the last week and has been fostered through a strong work ethic and willing to learn.
“Connor and his teammates have championed our principles of exploration, adaptation and brotherhood which has led to positive results thus far, and it bodes well for the future of our men’s pathway system in years to come.”
Team to face Georgia
Starting
15. Dan Green (Sale Sharks, St Ambrose School, Bowdon RUFC) *
14. Tyler Offiah (London & South Central, Wellington College, Ealing Trailfinders) *
13. Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Ivybridge RFC) *
12. Israel Akinrowo (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Devenport Services RFC) *
11. Rafe Witheat (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, Ampthill RUFC) *
10. James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, Chippenham RFC) *
9. Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, Bromley RFC) *
1. Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, Penzance & Newlyn RFC) *
2. Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Seaford School, Worthing Rugby Club) *
3. Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Durham City Rugby Football Club) *
4. Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, London Irish Amateur RFC) *
5. Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, Overton RFC) *
6. Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Blaydon Rugby Club) *
7. Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, Rochdale RUFC) *
8. Connor Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, New Milton RFC) *
Replacements
16. George Knowles (Midlands West, Hereford Cathedral School, Ledbury Rugby Club) *
17. Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School, Battersea Ironsides Rugby Club) *
18. Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, Haywards Heath RFC)*
19. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Bedford Blues RFC) *
20. Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College, Aylesbury RFC) *
21. Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close College, Stow-on-the-wold & District RFC) *
22. Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Royston Rugby Club) *
23. Felix Bateman-Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, East Grinstead RFC) *
24. Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, Saracens) *
25. Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury, Hertford RFC) *
26. George Pearson (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, Buckingham RUFC) *
*denotes a player capped at U18 level for England
