Six Nations Festival: England U18 Men team to play Italy
England U18 Men head coach Jonathan Pendlebury has named his side to play Italy in the U18 Six Nations Festival in Dublin.
England face Italy on Wednesday, following a narrow 22-23 loss to France in the opening round of their Six Nations campaign on Saturday.
- England U18 v Italy U18 (KO 15:15)
- You can watch the live stream below
Ben Redshaw will captain the side from full back, and is joined in the back three by Conor Byrne and Charlie Griffin. First round try-scorer Kepueli Tuipulotu starts at hooker, alongside props Ralph McEachran and Billy Sela.
After making his England U18 debut against France Oscar Beckerleg gets his first start, partnering Tom Burrow at lock, while Henry Pollock (open side flanker), George Timmins (blind side flanker) and Jack Lightbown (Number 8) line up in the back row.
Scrum half Lucas Friday partners Josh Bellamy in the halves, while Charlie Myall and Ollie Davies team up in the centres. Jacob Oliver, Louie Trevett, Tye Raymont, Junior Kpoku, Reuben Logan, Will Owen, Archie McParland, Tom Threlfall, Toby Baker, Jack Bracken and Ned McCormack are on an extended bench.
"Our match against France was very competitive, and while we lost by the barest of margins, there were many positives to come from the pitch," said Pendlebury. "The lads expressed themselves well in open play and there were also encouraging moves around the set piece.
"The Six Nations Festival is a great environment for the England players to develop individually and as a team, and so they’ll take away a lot of experience from that opening clash. We’re now focused on our second-round fixture.
"Italy won their opening match by punishing Wales for their mistakes. We also know they can score from anywhere, so it’s critical we play well as a unit and the players give it their all for teammates and country."
England U18 Men v Italy U18
Backs
15. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
14. Charlie Griffin (London Irish, Harrow School)
13. Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar)
12. Charlie Myall (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College)
11. Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School)
10. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Trinity School)
9. Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School)
Forwards
1. Ralph McEachran (Academy: London Irish, School: The Bishop Wand School)
2. Kepueli Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
4. Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College)
5. Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS)
6. George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)
8. Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton)
Replacements
16. Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School)
17. Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College)
18. Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College)
19. Junior Kpoku (Finborough School)
20. Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School)
21. Will Owen (Midlands West, Ellesmere College)
22. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)
23. Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham High)
24. Toby Baker (Yorkshire Academy, St Peters School)
25. Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School)
26. Ned McCormack (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove)
England U18 Men remaining fixtures
Italy v England – Wednesday, 12 April – KO 15:15
Ireland v England – Sunday, 16 April – KO 16:30
