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 their Irish age-grade counterparts at Stellenberg High School on Monday (12th), kicking-off at 12:30 BST with the fixture being streamed live on SuperSport Schools.
Newcastle Falcons’ Patrick Hogg has been confirmed as the 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 to his name and has achieved seven appearances for Falcons’ U18 side in the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League.
Eight of the starting XV are in line for their first competitive appearances for their country, with potential for 10 more debutants off the replacements bench for Pendlebury’s group. Hogg, Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Dye (Northampton Saints), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens) James Linegar and Connor Treacey (both Bath Rugby) and Harlequins’ Elliot Williams and Felix Champain are the previously-capped touring members.
Bath Rugby’s Treacey is incorporated into the touring party to replace George Marsh of Leicester Tigers, with the former assuming the number eight jersey for Matchday 1. The former U18 captain has earned 7 U18 caps, lifted the U18 Academy League title with Bath Rugby and was recently announced as part of his club’s 2024/25 academy intake alongside capped Men’s Pathway players Kepu Tuipulotu, Charlie Griffin and Tyler Offiah.
England continue their touring schedule with fixtures against France (Friday 16th August, 10:30 BST kick-off, Paarl Gimnasium) and South Africa (Tuesday 20th August, 12:30 BST kick-off, Paarl Boys’ High School), 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
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