U18s will be inspired by the U20s, says Pendlebury

HEAD coach Jonathan Pendlebury has named a 26-player squad for the U18 Inter national Series.

Patrick Hogg of Newcastle academy and Bath's James Linegar are the most experienced players involved in the squad. The 17-year-olds have four U18 caps each, including three appearances at the 2024 U18 Six Nations Festival where England picked up three victories against Wales, Scotland and Georgia.

Coach: Pendlebury

The duo is joined by Jonno Balding (Gloucester), Tom Dye (Northampton), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens) and Harlequins pair Elliot Williams and Felix Champain as the previously-capped U18 players in the group.

“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 inter national age-grade rugby and travelling on tour for the first time,” 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 together ness 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, and to now follow on from the U20s gives us a great deal of inspiration.”

Fly-half Linegar, who lifted the 2024 Premiership Academy League trophy with fellow squad member Julian Nunn at Bath, was named one of England's players of the match alongside Hogg in the 2024 Six Nations encounter against Wales.

U20s World Championship winner, Lucas Friday, who turned 18 this month, was part of the U18 Six Nations campaign.

England U18 will face Ireland, France and South Africa in Cape Town and Paarl next month. Georgia and a South Africa A side are also participating in the three-round competition.