England Under-18 squad
England Under-18, who are the reigning European champions, are in South Africa to take part in the quadrangular tournament with SA Schools, Wales Under-18 and France Under-18.
They play their first match at Hugenote High School in Wellington on Friday. Earlier this year, they have beaten Wales and France.
Coach John Fletcher said: "We're really looking forward to it. It’s been a while since we were last together but the lads are in good shape and we can't wait to get out there. Previous results count for very little, Wales are taking a different group of players and France will be tough, as ever.
“We know that we're going to have to play well and perform somewhere near our best to stand any chance of winning. But the aim is to play as well as we can, and if that means we win games, even better."
England’s game against South Africa on August 18 promises to be another tough match, but again, one that Fletcher is hugely excited by. he said:
“It’s a tough, tough place to go and play – as the seniors and the Under-20s proved this summer – they are a proud nation and they love their. It’s the third time we've been out there with the Under-18s and it’s always a good test.
“A few years back we had the likes of Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Kvesic and George Ford in with us, three years later and they're all in the senior set up – so the value of these tours and getting the guys together and playing the best nations is massive.”
England Under-18 squad:
Forwards: Stephen Uren (Filton College & Bristol), Joel Conlon (Ivybridge Community College & Exeter Chiefs), Charlie Ewels (Bryanston School & Bath), Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), David Hughes (Twyford C of E High School & London Wasps), Maro Itoje (Harrow School & Saracens), Sam James (Bishops Stortford & Saracens), Gus Jones (Eton College & London Wasps), Alex Lundberg (Hampton & London Wasps), Ross Moriarty (Hartpury College & Gloucester), Jake Oldaker (Wellington College & Bath), Harry Rudkin (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I & Leicester Tigers), Harry Thacker (Leicester Grammar & Leicester Tigers), Biyi Alo (Haileybury College & Saracens).
Backs: Callum Braley (Hartpury College & Bristol), Billy Burns (Hartpury College & Gloucester), Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol), George Catchpole (Leicester Grammar & Leicester Tigers), Ollie Claxton (Bromsgrove School), Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens), Zach Kibirige (Yarm School & Newcastle Falcons), Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints), Howard Packman (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Tom Stephenson (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Nick Tompkins (Oaklands & Saracens), Josh Watkins (Bromsgrove School & Worcester Warriors).
Coaches: John Fletcher, Pete Walton, Ian Peel
Fixtures:
10 August:
England Under-18 vs Wales Under-18 at Hugenote High School, Wellington
14 August:
England Under-18 vs France Under-18 at Outenmiqua Park, George
18 August:
England Under-18 vs South African Schools at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town
