England U18 Squad for SA tournament

[Epaminondas Pules]

A 26-player squad for the 2024 U18 International Series has been confirmed by England U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin.
Patrick Hogg and James Linegar are the most experienced players involved in the squad, with four U18 caps each, including three at the 2024 U18 Six Nations Festival where England picked up wins against Wales, Scotland and Georgia.
Fly-half Linegar, who won the 2024 Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League with fellow squad member Julian Nunn at Bath Rugby, was named one of England’s Players of the Match alongside Hogg in the win over Wales.
The duo are joined by Jonno Balding, Tom Dye, Fraser Rawlins and Harlequins pair Elliot Williams and Felix Champain as the previously-capped U18 players in Pendlebury’s group.
With fixtures now confirmed, England will face Ireland, France and South Africa in Cape Town and Paarl next month.
Similar to past editions, matches will be hosted at school venues, with Stellenberg High School in Cape Town, as well as Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High School hosting games.
SuperSport Schools will continue their coverage of the series this year and broadcast each fixture live.
“What we’re looking to give these young men is the experiences that will serve them well as rugby players and as people, many of whom are experiencing international age-grade rugby and travelling on a tour for the first time,” said Pendlebury.
“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 INTERNATIONAL SERIES SQUAD

Forwards
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 3 caps)
Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, uncapped)
Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, uncapped)
Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 1 cap)
Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 4 caps)
Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, uncapped)
Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Gresham's School, uncapped)
Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, uncapped)
Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, uncapped)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 3 caps)
Backs
Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 2 caps)
Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, uncapped)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 4 caps)
Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, uncapped)
Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 2 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, uncapped)
Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped)
ENGLAND 2024 INTERNATIONAL SERIES FIXTURES

Monday 12 August - England vs. Ireland - 12:30 BST kick-off - Stellenberg High School
Friday 16 August - England vs. France - 10:30 BST kick-off - Paarl Gimnasium
Tuesday 20 August - South Africa vs. England - 12:30 BST kick-off - Paarl Boys' High School

[Which Tyler]

I'm failing to re-arrange that by position - do you know enough about these guys?

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm failing to re-arrange that by position - do you know enough about these guys?

Something like this. Difficult as many of them play multiple positions:

Loosehead:
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 1 cap)

Hookers:
Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, uncapped)
Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, uncapped)

Tighthead:
Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, uncapped)
Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)

Locks:
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 3 caps)
Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 4 caps)
Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Gresham's School, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, uncapped)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 3 caps)

Backrow:
Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, uncapped)

Scrum half:
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)

Fly half:
Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 2 caps)
Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, uncapped)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 4 caps)

Centres:
Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 2 caps)
Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped)

Back three:
Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, uncapped)
Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, uncapped)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, uncapped)

[Which Tyler]

Good skills - TY

[Epaminondas Pules]

One good thing to see is a number of players from the now defunct academies not only picked up but still thriving!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Good skills - TY

No worries. Might be a few out of place, but I’m six or seven litres of mythos in

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm failing to re-arrange that by position - do you know enough about these guys?

Something like this. Difficult as many of them play multiple positions:

Loosehead:
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 1 cap)

Hookers:
Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, uncapped)
Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, uncapped)

Tighthead:
Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, uncapped)
Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)

Locks:
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 3 caps)
Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 4 caps)
Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Gresham's School, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, uncapped)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 3 caps)

Backrow:
Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, uncapped)

Scrum half:
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)

Fly half:
Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 2 caps)
Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, uncapped)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 4 caps)

Centres:
Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 2 caps)
Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped)

Back three:
Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, uncapped)
Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, uncapped)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, uncapped)

Always tough at this age, but in bold some I’d keep an eye on.

Both hookers are very good. Absolute standouts at school. Thomas is one of those from L Irish as was.

Elvis is another in the conveyor belt of decent props coming through.

Hogg is a seriously good lock!

Everyone probably has heard of Linegar already. Keylock is another very good ten coming through. Proper baller!

Calouri is big, rapid and has bloody good hands, whilst Rawlins can play anywhere from 12 onwards. Just oozes class!

Morrow and Nunn two very good prospects in the back three. Both can also play inside.

You could pick a few more out. It’s a good squad with a real focus on 2024/25 season

[Margin_Walker]

Thomas, Keylock and Winters are probably the last set of ex L Irish lads I'll recognise.

Any younger and they would have mostly been DPP, so off my radar.

End of an era.

[Puja]

Thomas, Keylock and Winters are probably the last set of ex L Irish lads I'll recognise.

Any younger and they would have mostly been DPP, so off my radar.

End of an era.

I'm so sorry Margin.

Puja

[Margin_Walker]

Nah, it's fine. I'm over it now

It was fun whilst it lasted, and will watch out for these lads and the groups above them as their careers progress.

[Banquo]

Nah, it's fine. I'm over it now

It was fun whilst it lasted, and will watch out for these lads and the groups above them as their careers progress.

any rumours of a phoenix club...I've heard a whisper or two...

[Margin_Walker]

Nah, it's fine. I'm over it now

It was fun whilst it lasted, and will watch out for these lads and the groups above them as their careers progress.

any rumours of a phoenix club...I've heard a whisper or two...

Only that German bloke who's keen to talk to the press at every opportunity.

Strikes me as a bit of a fantasist, who doesn't have the money it's going to take.

[Banquo]

Nah, it's fine. I'm over it now

It was fun whilst it lasted, and will watch out for these lads and the groups above them as their careers progress.

any rumours of a phoenix club...I've heard a whisper or two...

Only that German bloke who's keen to talk to the press at every opportunity.

Strikes me as a bit of a fantasist, who doesn't have the money it's going to take.

fair enough

[Epaminondas Pules]

Thomas, Keylock and Winters are probably the last set of ex L Irish lads I'll recognise.

Any younger and they would have mostly been DPP, so off my radar.

End of an era.

End of an era indeed mate. A very sad state of affairs all round.

[Epaminondas Pules]

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)

[FKAS]

*Like*

[loudnconfident]

Just watch out if swimming as a recovery session...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 3pyr792p5o

No update since Thursday

[Epaminondas Pules]

Change in fixtures with France pulling out after the tragedy last week.

Updated U18 International Series Fixtures (all times BST)


Monday 12th August (Stellenberg High School)

12.30pm England v Ireland

2.30pm South Africa A v Georgia


Friday 16th August (Paarl Gimnasium)

12.30pm Georgia v England

2.30pm South Africa v Ireland


Tuesday 20th August (Paarl Boys High)

12.30pm South Africa v England

2.30pm Ireland v Georgia

Games will all be shown live on Super Sports

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm failing to re-arrange that by position - do you know enough about these guys?

One for you today Which. Keep eyes on Sam Winters playing fullback. He's been scoring worldies for Harrow this season, and is another that joined you out of the collapse of L Irish. Serious talent. You've got a fair few others playing, but definitely one to watch mate.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Stream has not really been working most of the game. England score with 5 mins to go to get back to 28 v 35.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Ireland go in under the posts. 28 v 42

[Which Tyler]

France calling off their match, at least for now
https://www.ruck.co.uk/statement-englan ... th-africa/

The decision comes after France U18s player Medhi Narjissi has gone missing, with reports stating that he had been caught in a rip tide whilst swimming off the beach near Cape Town.

[Epaminondas Pules]

England U18 Men’s side to face Georgia
15. Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, 1 cap)

14. Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, 1 cap)

13. Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 3 caps)

12. Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, 1 cap)

11. Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 1 cap)

10. Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, 1 cap)

9. George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, 1 cap)

1. Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 2 caps)

2. Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, 1 cap)

3. Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 1 cap)

4. Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, 1 cap)

5. Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 4 caps)

6. Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 4 caps)

7. Connor Treacey (C) (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 8 caps)

8. Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, 1 cap)


Replacements

16. Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, 1 cap)

17. Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, 1 cap)

18. Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, 1 cap)

19. Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, 4 caps)

20. Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, 1 cap)

21. Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, 1 cap)

22. Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, 1 cap)

23. James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 5 caps)

24. Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 3 caps)

25. Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 1 cap)

26. Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, 1 cap)

[Epaminondas Pules]

Half time: England 10 v Georgia 20

England really scrappy, too many unforced errors. Georgia well worth the lead. Their pack is going great guns, and they've run some lovely backs moves, if their passing at times is a little wayward. England are their own worst enemies so far.

[Epaminondas Pules]

England win it 27 v 20, holding out Georgia after the final whistle. Bench made a huge difference!