Jim Mallinder believes that the Under-18 Six Nations festival will provide a ‘unique’ formative experience for his young charges as he named his 26-man squad for the competition.
The hosts were defeated in all three of their matches at last year’s tournament in Wales, but Mallinder insists that his group will have a better shot at glory this time around with a strong set of players set to feature.
Leicester Tigers lock George Martin returns to the fold after seeing action at last year’s event, joined by several teammates from the Under-18 International Series in South Africa – Jack Bates, Harvey Beaton and Phil Cokanasiga among them.
And former England international Mallinder says that the taste of international competition could prove vital in preparing his youngsters for a bright future.
“This will be a unique experience for these players where they will play three international fixtures over the course of two weeks while staying in camp together,” he explained.
“We’ve had a one-off fixture against Scotland with the majority of this group but this will be different as we have the players for longer so we want to build as a team and them to develop as players.
“This will be a different environment, the players will be living alongside their opponents, playing against them while also experiencing a number of off-field activities with their peers which will be fascinating for both players and coaches.”
The week-long festival gets underway on Saturday at Hartpury’s Gillman’s Ground in Gloucester, with three back-to-back fixtures opening with England’s clash against Wales.
They go again the following Wednesday at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways as England take on Ireland, before the competition’s finale on Sunday 21 April at Kingsholm sees England face France.
And Mallinder is ready and raring to go after what has been a long journey for him and his team.
“Selecting this group has been a gradual process,” added the former full-back.
“We took a portion of this squad to South Africa in August and along with players who have impressed us over the course of the season through performances at school and their academies we have a picked a strong 26 for the festival.”
England U18 Six Nations Festival squad: Orlando Bailey Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School), Jack Bates Bristol Bears (SGS College), Fin Baxter Harlequins (Wellington College). Harvey Beaton Saracens (Sutton Valence), Archie Benson Gloucester Rugby (Dean Close School), Joe Browning Leicester Tigers (Denstone College), Joe Carpenter Yorkshire Carnegie (Woodhouse Grove), Jack Clement Gloucester Rugby (Cheltenham College) Phil Cokanasiga London Irish (St Pauls College), Tom Curtis Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School), Harry Fry Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College), Josh Gray Gloucester Rugby (Dean Close School), Luke Green London Irish (St Paul’s Catholic College), Louis Hillman-Cooper (Gloucester Rugby Cheltenham College), George Martin Leicester Tigers (Brooksby Melton College), Nahum Merigan Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School), Raphael Quirke Sale Sharks (St Ambrose College), Ewan Richards Bath Rugby (Millfield School), Sam Riley Harlequins (St George’s Weybridge), Tom Roebuck Sale Sharks (Wirral Grammar), John Stewart Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School), Ollie Stonham Saracens (Felsted School), Will Trenholm Harlequins (Cranleigh School), Jack van Poortvliet Leicester Tigers (Oakham School), Jude Williams Wasps (Caterham School), George Worboys Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff)#
2019 U18 Six Nations Festival fixtures
Matchday one – Saturday 13 April
KO Gillman’s Ground, Gloucester
12:10 England v Wales
14:40 Ireland v France
17:10 Scotland v Italy
Matchday two – Wednesday 17 April
KO Sixways Stadium, Worcester
11:10 France v Italy
13:40 Ireland v England
16:10 Wales v Scotland
Matchday three – Sunday 21 April
KO Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
11:10 Scotland v Ireland
13.40 England v France
16:10 Italy v Wales
