England returns to South Africa this summer looking to build upon successive victories at this year’s U18 Six Nations Festival in Italy, with a host of fresh faces ready to stake their claim in Pendlebury’s plans.
Try-scoring hooker and captain Kepueli Tuipulotu, who registered three touchdowns in this year’s U18 Six Nations Festival, is joined in the front row by loose head Will Conduit and tighthead Billy Sela.
The back five forwards see Junior Kpoku and Olamide Sodeke named in the engine room, with Ronan Daniell, Charlie West and Solomon Shand the elected loose forwards.
Lucas Friday takes the 9 jersey and Ollie Davis makes up the half-back combination with Toby Baker and Nick Lilley further utilised in the midfield.
England’s outside backs on the afternoon will be wings Charlie Griffin and Angus Hall, with Jack Bracken, awarded the 15 shirt.
Alfie Longstaff, Jamie Miller, Sam Graham, Tayo Adegbemile, Connor Treacey, Jack Lightbown, Dom Hanson, Louie Platt, Toby Wilson, Finlay Wiseman and Finn Newton make up Jonthan Pendlebury’s replacements for the clash against France.
Following on from this week’s action, the squad face Western Province U18 XV on Tuesday 15 August (12:00 BST kick-off) and concludes their tour against hosts South Africa next Saturday (19th, 14:00 BST kick-off).
Ahead of the match-up against Cédric Laborde’s team, Pendlebury praised the efforts of his team in preparation for a trip south of the equator.
The head coach commented: “We’re all really excited to be in South Africa over the next week or so, these games will be a brilliant test for this young group.
“The lads have trained very hard and have given their all on the paddock thus far, that’s down to their commitment as well as the input from the coaching staff as a group.
“This group has welcomed a lot of new players to a smaller core with previous experience at this level, they have set their own targets and expectations. “Now is the time for them to go and explore.”
England u/18
1 Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College, ACE)
2 Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow School) *
3 Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff) *
4 Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough School) *
5 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar School) *
6 Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College)
7 Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans School)
8 Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College)
9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School) *
10 Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar) *
11 Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow School) *
12 Toby Baker (Yorkshire Academy, St. Peters School)
13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
14 Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge)
15 Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School) *
Replacements:
16 Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove)
17 Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School)
18 Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School)
19 Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans School)
20 Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
21 Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton) *
22 Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar)
23 Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s)
24 Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield)
25 Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton School)
26 Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury)
*denotes a previously capped player