The Harlequins contingent includes Joe Trayfoot (Back Row), Rob Buchanan (Prop/Hooker) and Charlie Matthews (Lock) who have been training full-time with the Harlequins 1st XV squad in pre-season. Trayfoot and Buchanan will be full-time professionals with the Academy this forthcoming season whilst Matthews will combine training with Quins and studying at Loughborough.

Both Sam’s, Stuart (Scrum Half) and Twomey (Lock) still have another year at school and Twomey will be available for U18 selection again next season.

England, who defeated Scotland twice, Japan High Schools, Italy and Wales this season will play three matches in South Africa against Western Province on August 1st, Boland on August 4th and South Africa Schools on August 8th.

England U18s Head Coach Fletcher said: “Development tours like this are crucial to the progress of talented young players at this age. Although playing in the Five Nations Festival is hugely important, players also need to compete against the Southern Hemisphere teams as well. They are some of the strongest sides around and our players need to get used to travelling and touring as that is what happens in international rugby.

“This is without doubt going to be a very demanding tour. South African youth and age grade rugby is as good as any in the world and their school and academy structures are very strong.”

England U18s squad

Forwards

Harry Allen Saracens Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar
Peter Austin London Irish St Paul’s Catholic College
Ryan Bower Leicester Tigers John Cleveland College
Rob Buchanan Harlequins St Bedes School
Matt Everard Leicester Tigers Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st
Ben Glynn Bristol Rugby Filton College
Alex Gray Newcastle Falcons Barnard Castle
Sam Jones London Wasps Aylesbury Grammar
Charlie Matthews Harlequins Hurstpeirpoint College
Henry Thomas Unattached Millfield School
Joe Trayfoot Harlequins Epsom College
Sam Twomey Harlequins Dulwich College
Billy Vunipola Unattached Castle School
Mako Vunipola Bristol Rugby Millfield School

Backs

Joe Cobden Leicester Tigers King Edward VI School
Sam Edgerley London Irish Wellington College
Owen Farrell Saracens St Georges School
George Ford Leicester Tigers Rishworth School
Ryan Glynn Sale Sharks Sedbergh School
Jonathan Joseph London Irish Millfield School
Jake Sharp Saracens Oaklands College
Andy Short Worcester Warriors Worcester 6th Form College
Sam Stuart Harlequins Sedbergh School
Christian Wade London Wasps RGS High Wycombe
Jack Wallace London Wasps RGS High Wycombe
Marcus Watson London Irish St Georges College

England U18s Playing Schedule:

1st August v Western Province, Cape Town
4th August v Boland, Cape Town
8th August v South Africa Schools, Kimberley

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