Young Gun: Josh Caulfield – England U18s and Exeter lock

Representing England was always Josh Caulfield’s dream but to do so next to his best friend Curtis Langdon made it even more special.
The Exeter lock grew up in Weston-super-Mare playing for Hornets RFC and Priory Community School alongside London Irish hooker Langdon.
Both of them played a key role in the 2012 U15s Daily Mail Cup where they reached the last 16 but their path took different directions two years ago when Caulfield joined the Exeter academy and Langdon moved to Sunbury.
After missing out on the opportunity to wear the England jersey together last month, both were selected for the U18s FIRA Tournament in France last week where England picked up the bronze medal.
“I’ve played with Curtis at the Hornets and at school for years so it was great to sing the national anthem next to my best mate,” Caulfield told The Rugby Paper.
“We didn’t get to play with each other in the warm-up games as he played against Wales and France and I played against Scotland.
“We were chuffed to find out we’d both made the FIRA squad and we ended up playing all three games together.
“It was such a good experience to go to France and get three games under my belt. I managed to score, too, which was great even if it was from the back of a maul.
“Unfortunately the first ten minutes of the semi-final against France cost us dearly. We managed to get back in the game but we ran out of time. Luckily though we went on to beat Italy in our last game to get a medal.”
A few weeks back, Caulfield helped Bicton College win the AASE League Plate in their first participation in the competition and he has now signed a full-time contract with Exeter’s academy ahead of next season.
The summer tour to South Africa with England U19s is next on his agenda before looking to follow in Jack Nowell and Henry Slade’s footsteps and make the step up to the Chiefs first team.
He added: “I don’t know if I’ll be picked but touring South Africa in the summer would be awesome.
“To play another three games for England would be great but it doesn’t come much better than taking on South Africans on their own turf.
“It’ll be an U19s tour so I’ll be a year young but I’d like to think I put my hand up in France last week.
“I’ve been 24th man a couple of times in the LV=Cup this season so I’ll be looking to push on with Exeter next year and maybe get an appearance off the bench.
“Exeter have a great record when it comes to developing players like Henry or Jack so I know I’ll be in good hands to come through the ranks and maybe one day play with them in the first team on a regular basis.”