England U18 Men name team to face Ireland
Head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin have named their U18 Men’s matchday squad for the opening International Series encounter with Ireland.
England face Ireland at Stellenberg High School on Monday 12 August at 12:30 BST, with the fixture being streamed live on SuperSport Schools.
Patrick Hogg has been confirmed as tour captain and will lead the side out from blindside flanker next week. The Durham School student, also capable in the second row, has four U18 caps and made seven appearances for Newcastle Falcons’ U18 side in 2023/24.
Eight of the starting XV will win their first competitive appearances for their country, with potential for 10 more debutants off the replacements bench for Pendlebury’s group. Hogg, Jonno Balding, Tom Dye, Fraser Rawlins and James Linegar, as well as Connor Treacey, Elliot Williams and Felix Champain are the previously-capped touring members.
Treacey replaces George Marsh in the touring party, slotting in at No 8 for Matchday 1. The former U18 captain has seven U18 caps, lifted the U18 Academy League title with Bath Rugby and was recently announced as part of his club’s academy intake.
England continue with fixtures against France and South Africa, with Georgia and a South Africa A side incorporated into other 2024 International Series fixtures.
Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Coming off the back of a productive few camp meetings at the Hazelwood Centre, our approach is beginning to take shape with our young group which has been incredibly pleasing.
“We’re seeking to continue the relentless attitude that has been the cornerstone of our approach to getting better since our first meeting as an U17 squad at Hartpury College last season. It’s been a great privilege to see the development of the boys and their willingness to get going has been impressive thus far.
“The players have taken a lot of inspiration from the U20 Men’s group and want to make their own mark on a tour. We as a coaching group want to see our principles of Exploration and Speed implemented from minute one on Monday through the following 10 days, and most importantly, we want our boys to return home better rugby players and people as a result of these experiences.”
England U18 Men’s team to face Ireland
Starters
15. Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, uncapped)
14. Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
13. Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped)
12. Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 2 caps)
11. Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, uncapped)
10. James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 4 caps)
9. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, uncapped)
1. Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 1 cap)
2. Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, uncapped)
3. Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, uncapped)
4. Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 3 caps)
5. Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 3 caps)
6. Patrick Hogg (C) (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 4 caps)
7. Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, uncapped)
8. Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 7 caps)
Replacements
16. Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, uncapped)
17. Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
18. Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
19. Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, uncapped)
20. Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, uncapped)
21. Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
22. George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
23. Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, uncapped)
24. Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, uncapped)
25. Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 2 caps)
26. Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, uncapped)
England U18 Men’s 2024 International Series fixtures
Monday 12th August - England vs. Ireland - 12:30 BST kick-off - Stellenberg High School
Friday 16th August - England vs. France - 10:30 BST kick-off - Paarl Gimnasium
Tuesday 20th August - South Africa vs. England - 12:30 BST kick-off - Paarl Boys' High School
