England confirms Under-18 squad for 2024 International Series
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England Under-18 men’s coaches Jonathan Pendlebury and Will Parkin has confirmed the group of 26 players that will do duty in the 2024 U18 International Series.
Newcastle Falcons’ academy Patrick Hogg and Bath’s James Linegar joins as the two most experienced members in the squad.
The 17-year-old duo both have four U18 caps which includes three appearances at the 2024 U18 Six Nations Festival where England clinched wins against Wales, Scotland and Georgia.
They will be joined by Gloucester’s Jonno Balding, Tom Dye (Northampton Saints), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens) and the Harlequins duo of Elliot Williams and Felix Champain as the previously capped players at U18 level in Pendlebury’s squad.
Flyhalf Linegar who won the 2024 Premiership U18 Academy League – alongside fellow squad member Julian Nunn – was named England’s player’s of the match alongside Hogg in the 2024 Six Nations clash v Wales.
Recent World Rugby Under-20 champion – Lucas Friday formed part of the U18 men’s recent Six Nations campaign.
With the 2024 Series fixtures confirmed – the England U18 side will face age-grade counterparts Ireland, France and South Africa in Cape Town and Paarl in August.
Georgia and a South Africa A side will also be participating in the three-round competition that will take place on August 12, 16 and 20 respectively.
Much like previous editions – the games will take place at school venues with Stellenberg High in Cape Town’s northen suburbs as well as Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High hosting the U18 teams which will take place as a triple-header.
“What we’re looking to give these young men is the experiences that will serve them well as players and as people, many of whom are experiencing international age-grade rugby and travelling on a tour for the first time,” Jonathan Pendlebury said.
“All of us as the Men’s pathway staff want to see them explore as players, trust their instincts and work collaboratively as teammates. That sense of togetherness starts off the pitch and is imperative as a framework to embolden these players to do their best whilst representing England.
“We have focused on speed as one of our key principles in recent camps, and to now follow on from the U20s in the next few weeks gives us a great deal of inspiration as this new group begin their journey on the development pathway.”
England U18 Men’s 2024 International Series squad:
Forwards: Diamond Ayiehfor , Jonno Balding , Ben Beere , Matthew Branch-Holland , Tom Davis , Tom Dye , Patrick Hogg , Ollie Hull , Elvis Kitenge-Fuki, George Marsh , Jack Marshall, Jack Murphy , Oscar Thomas, Elliot Williams.
Backs: Noah Caluori , Felix Champain , Finn Keylock , James Linegar , Ben Morrow , George Newman , Julian Nunn Fraser Rawlins , Asa Stewart-Harris , Cameron Ward, Sam Winters , Victor Worsnip.
England U18 Men’s 2024 International Series fixtures (Kick-off is local time – GMT plus two hours)
Monday, August 12 – Stellenberg High
England v Ireland – 13.30
Friday, August 16 – Paarl Gimnasium
England v France – 11.30
Tuesday, August 20 – Paarl Boys High
South Africa v England – 13.30
