England U18's

[fivepointer]

The squad, which includes 17 players already capped at U18 level, has just emerged from its first development camp of the year at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, which kick-started preparations for the season.

The season starts with a match against France U18 at Esher Rugby Club on Saturday, 18 March (K.O. 12:30) and will be live streamed on England Rugby channels.

FORWARDS
Finn Baker (Academy: Newcastle Falcons, School: Sedbergh School, 3 U18 caps)
Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
Jack Bennett (Bath Rugby, Monkton Combe School, 3 caps)
Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS, 3 caps)
Frank Chatterton (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar School, uncapped)
Harry Clarke (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Loic Keasey (Midlands West, RGS Worcester, 3 caps)
Isaac Keller (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, 3 caps)
Junior Kpoku (Saracens, Finborough School, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, Ladybridge School, uncapped)
Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School, uncapped)
Ralph McEachran (London Irish, Bishop Wand, uncapped)
Henry Mountford (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School, 3 caps)
Will Owen (Midlands West, Ellesmere College, 2 caps)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 3 caps)
Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College, uncapped)
Lucas Schmid (Harlequins, Epsom College, uncapped)
Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 3 caps)
George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)
Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 3 caps)
Kepu Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School, uncapped)

BACKS
Toby Baker (Yorkshire Academy, St Peters School, uncapped)
Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School, uncapped)
Albert Bradshaw (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, uncapped)
Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School, 6 caps)
Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Oakham School, 8 caps)
Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby, Millfield School, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Tom Humphreys (Harlequins, RGS Guildford, uncapped)
Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School, 6 caps)
Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Whitgift School, 3 caps)
Jack Kinder (Midlands West, Solihull School, uncapped)
Frank McMillan (Harlequins, BHASVIC, uncapped)
Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 4 caps)
Charlie Myall (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, uncapped)
Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School, 4 caps)
Rory Taylor (London Irish, Wellington College, 6 caps)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham High School, uncapped)

[Puja]

Joel, Jonathan, and Junior Kpoku. Those are parents who were not afraid to stick to a theme.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

That is a very tasty squad!!

[FKAS]

I can see a couple of backs there that will end up playing in red in the future.

[Margin_Walker]

I can see a couple of backs there that will end up playing in red in the future.

Yep. Their parents weren't even trying to hide it when they named them.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Davies is from Swansea to be fair. Joined Millfield in Y9, so at least not a 6th form acquisition. Jones though I think is born and bred in Glaws. Not sure on parentage, but being Glaws is more likely to be brother and sister than Welsh.

[Puja]

Davies is from Swansea to be fair. Joined Millfield in Y9, so at least not a 6th form acquisition. Jones though I think is born and bred in Glaws. Not sure on parentage, but being Glaws is more likely to be brother and sister than Welsh.

If they're both from Glaws, then that's as likely a good faith attempt at spelling John on a birth certificate as it is any Welsh connection.

Puja

[Banquo]

Davies is from Swansea to be fair. Joined Millfield in Y9, so at least not a 6th form acquisition. Jones though I think is born and bred in Glaws. Not sure on parentage, but being Glaws is more likely to be brother and sister than Welsh.

If they're both from Glaws, then that's as likely a good faith attempt at spelling John on a birth certificate as it is any Welsh connection.

Puja

ouch. As a Tuffleyian may I object. Now if you said Forest of Dean....

[Epaminondas Pules]

Davies is from Swansea to be fair. Joined Millfield in Y9, so at least not a 6th form acquisition. Jones though I think is born and bred in Glaws. Not sure on parentage, but being Glaws is more likely to be brother and sister than Welsh.

If they're both from Glaws, then that's as likely a good faith attempt at spelling John on a birth certificate as it is any Welsh connection.

Puja

ouch. As a Tuffleyian may I object. Now if you said Forest of Dean....

If they're Forest of Dean then his first name would be just a thumbprint at best.

[Mellsblue]

If they're both from Glaws, then that's as likely a good faith attempt at spelling John on a birth certificate as it is any Welsh connection.

Puja

ouch. As a Tuffleyian may I object. Now if you said Forest of Dean....

If they're Forest of Dean then his first name would be just a thumbprint at best.

Tough to get only a thumbprint with webbed fingers. Would need to be the whole hand.

[Which Tyler]

ouch. As a Tuffleyian may I object. Now if you said Forest of Dean....

If they're Forest of Dean then his first name would be just a thumbprint at best.

Tough to get only a thumbprint with webbed fingers. Would need to be the whole hand.

Nor fair - foresters have beautiful definition of all 6 fingers

[ilovelamp]

As I used to say to my boys team, when I coached in Glaws and they were playing Cinderford, they have got 6 fingers and 6 toes which means they can catch better, and run faster, than you!

[Which Tyler]

As I used to say to my boys team, when I coached in Glaws and they were playing Cinderford, they have got 6 fingers and 6 toes which means they can catch better, and run faster, than you!

And punch harder...


Little known fact - the imperial measurements, based on base-12 maths, was invented in the Forest.
Just like everyone else, they based on on counting fingers and toes.

[Epaminondas Pules]

The squad, which includes 17 players already capped at U18 level, has just emerged from its first development camp of the year at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, which kick-started preparations for the season.

The season starts with a match against France U18 at Esher Rugby Club on Saturday, 18 March (K.O. 12:30) and will be live streamed on England Rugby channels.

FORWARDS
Finn Baker (Academy: Newcastle Falcons, School: Sedbergh School, 3 U18 caps)
Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
Jack Bennett (Bath Rugby, Monkton Combe School, 3 caps)
Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS, 3 caps)
Frank Chatterton (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar School, uncapped)
Harry Clarke (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Loic Keasey (Midlands West, RGS Worcester, 3 caps)
Isaac Keller (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, 3 caps)
Junior Kpoku (Saracens, Finborough School, uncapped)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, Ladybridge School, uncapped)
Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School, uncapped)
Ralph McEachran (London Irish, Bishop Wand, uncapped)
Henry Mountford (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School, 3 caps)
Will Owen (Midlands West, Ellesmere College, 2 caps)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 3 caps)
Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College, uncapped)
Lucas Schmid (Harlequins, Epsom College, uncapped)
Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 3 caps)
George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)
Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 3 caps)
Kepu Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School, uncapped)

BACKS
Toby Baker (Yorkshire Academy, St Peters School, uncapped)
Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School, uncapped)
Albert Bradshaw (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, uncapped)
Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School, 6 caps)
Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Oakham School, 8 caps)
Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby, Millfield School, uncapped)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, uncapped)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Tom Humphreys (Harlequins, RGS Guildford, uncapped)
Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School, 6 caps)
Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Whitgift School, 3 caps)
Jack Kinder (Midlands West, Solihull School, uncapped)
Frank McMillan (Harlequins, BHASVIC, uncapped)
Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 4 caps)
Charlie Myall (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, uncapped)
Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School, 4 caps)
Rory Taylor (London Irish, Wellington College, 6 caps)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham High School, uncapped)

On a slightly less inbred note, here's some I really like the look of. Some are known from previous, and some newer onto the scene who have excelled for school or club U18s.

Billy Sela is an obvious call out. Was a BIG player last season and shows little signs of slowing down. Is the obvious starter at tighthead in this group. Similarly everyone and his mom knows that Henry Pollock is a talent.

Staying with Bath and Ieuan Davies (albeit slightly Welsh) is a cracking SH, as is Lucas Friday, who has been stellar for Trinity!

Finn Baker has been very good in the 2nd row for Sedbergh along with Newcastle team mate Ben Redshaw, who now seems to have settled at fullback, having been used across the backline previously. Speaking of 2nd rows most will know the surname, but Junior Kpoku is one to watch. A bit more of a unit than his elder brothers.

In the forwards as well, special mention to Kepu Tuipulotu who thoroughly deserves the call up at hooker. He's been fabulous for Harrow and Irish. This is his first year at U18s and he's taken to it like a duck to liquid.

Toby Cousins has already played up at U20s and is rapid, but not just a gas man! Definitely one to keep a close eye on. Whilst club mate Archie McParland will surely lead the race for the No9 shirt, which will be a cracking competition. Likely to be outside him is classy 10 Rory Taylor, fresh from winning the U18 club competition.

Final note for Jack Bracken, son of Kyran, who is a very exciting fullback. Fullback, like SH is going to be a tough competition with Redshaw, the really exciting Ioan Jones and Bracken.

It is a very talented group, but just some that stand out to me.

[Margin_Walker]

Interested to see how Taylor goes at 10. Always looked decent seeing him playing for Wellington. He actually ended up missing pretty much the whole of the Academy League season due to the SA tour then injury, returning to the bench for the final.

Cousins looks great. Big, quick, can step and play multiple positions. Can see why he got the early U20s call the other week.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Interested to see how Taylor goes at 10. Always looked decent seeing him playing for Wellington. He actually ended up missing pretty much the whole of the Academy League season due to the SA tour then injury, returning to the bench for the final.

Cousins looks great. Big, quick, can step and play multiple positions. Can see why he got the early U20s call the other week.

Was great to see him back and come straight into the squad.

[ilovelamp]

I find it fascinating that so many lads with PI heritage are now starting to turn out for the home nations age groups. We have a more than serious smattering of them throughout the England set-ups (and indeed senior squad) and it’s obviously a legacy of parents who pitched up here to play and liked it so much they stayed?

On that note I saw that TJ Fanolua (Terrys son obviously) has been selected as a back-row (he’s predominantly a no 8) for the U17’s.

[Banquo]

Joel, Jonathan, and Junior Kpoku. Those are parents who were not afraid to stick to a theme.

Puja

Should have played the Joker

[Puja]

I find it fascinating that so many lads with PI heritage are now starting to turn out for the home nations age groups. We have a more than serious smattering of them throughout the England set-ups (and indeed senior squad) and it’s obviously a legacy of parents who pitched up here to play and liked it so much they stayed?

On that note I saw that TJ Fanolua (Terrys son obviously) has been selected as a back-row (he’s predominantly a no 8) for the U17’s.

A lot of them were the polynesians who came to the UK with the first wave of professionalism, earning a living throught he lower leagues when such a thing was still viable - was reading an article about Vili Maasi (Reketi Maasi-White from the U20's dad) and how he came to the UK without any kind of a contract and just shopped himself around before his visa ran out - ended up playing Leeds, Cornish Pirates, London Welsh, Ampthill. A lot more money to be earned even on an average wage in the UK than in Tonga (at least at present)

Puja

[fivepointer]

team for tomorrows game against France. 12.30 KO, streamed live on youtube.

1. Louie Trevett (Academy: Bristol Bears, School: Clifton College)
2. Kepu Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School) *
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School)
4. Finn Baker (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
5. Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS)
6. Jack Bennett (Bath Rugby, Monkton Combe School)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)
8. Lucas Schmid (Harlequins, Epsom College) *
9. Ieuan Davies (Bath Rugby, Millfield School) *
10. Rory Taylor (London Irish, Wellington College)
11. Jack Kinder (Midlands West, Solihull School) *
12. Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Whitgift School)
13. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
14. Tom Humphreys (Harlequins, RGS Guildford) *
15. Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School)

Replacements

16. Harry Clarke (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College) *
17. Ralph McEachran (London Irish, The Bishop Wand School) *
18. Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College) *
19. Junior Kpoku (Saracens, Finborough School) *
20. Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School) *
21. Will Wootton (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School)
22. Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar) *
23. Frank McMillan (Harlequins, BHASVIC) *
24. Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School)

[Epaminondas Pules]

That's a good looking side. So pleased for Tuipolotu! That's a good front row! It'll need to be mind.

Interesting to see Ben Redshaw move to 13 having said he seems to have settled on fullback. That only leaves him 9 and 10 to play and he's got a full house of backline positions ticked off! Definitely a dynamic backline!

Also great to see Taylor back in after a shitty season with injury.

Harry Clarke has done really well for Denstone this year. Pleased for him on an individual level. He's a nice kid.

[Mellsblue]

I’m guessing ‘Midlands West’ and ‘Midlands Central’ are the renamed former Worcester and Wasps academies?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Yeah spot on Mells

[p/d]

Mate’s son starting at 4. Fingers crossed he has a good game

[Mellsblue]

Mate’s son starting at 4. Fingers crossed he has a good game

He does know he’ll be 3.5 hours late?