Northampton Saints’ youngsters Reuben Logan, Archie McParland and Henry Pollock will head to the Under-18s Six Nations Festival, as the trio are named in England’s 26-man squad for the tournament.
Image credit: James Fitchew
The squad played a number of friendly fixtures in March before coming together for the 2023 U18 Men’s Six Nations Festival. Each team will play three standalone 70-minute fixtures during the festival, with every player looking to start at least one game to ensure the best development for every player.
The trio of Saints – who penned their first professional contracts with the Club earlier this month – will all head to Dublin for the competition, with Saints Under-18s head coach Will Parkin also remaining with the group in his role as Attach Coach.
England were undefeated in the tournament in 2022 and after two important friendlies against Wales and France this month, England will be hoping to add another three wins to their tally in Dublin.
Head coach Jonathan Pendlebury said: “We’re very excited about the opportunity for the lads to play in the Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival, a prestigious tournament that emulates the international environment they hope to one day play in as part of the senior England team.
“We’ve had a pair of great hit-outs in March against Wales and France, two games that tested them and gave them invaluable experience and competition in their development journey this season. Some of the squad that took part in these fixtures are still eligible and able to take these experiences further into the Six Nations Festival in Dublin.
“This a special selection, and one the players can share with their families, schools, junior and community rugby clubs, and academies that helped put them in the frame to be selected.”
England’s Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival squad
Toby Baker (Academy: Yorkshire Academy, School: St Peters School, uncapped)
Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School, uncapped)
Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS, 5 caps)
Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School, 8 caps)
Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, 2 caps)
Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)
Charlie Griffin (London Irish, Harrow School, uncapped
Junior Kpoku (Saracens, Finborough School, 1 cap)
Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton, uncapped)
Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School, 2 caps)
Ned McCormack (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove, uncapped)
Ralph McEachran (London Irish, Bishop Wand, 2 caps)
Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 5 caps)
Charlie Myall (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, uncapped)
Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School, 4 caps)
Will Owen (Midlands West, Ellesmere College, 3 caps)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 5 caps)
Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College, 2 caps)
Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School, 5 caps)
Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 5 caps)
Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham High School, 1 cap)
George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)
Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 5 caps)
Kepueli Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School, 2 caps)
Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival fixtures
England v France – Saturday, 8 April – KO 17:30
Italy v England – Wednesday, 12 April – KO 15:15
Ireland v England – Sunday, 16 April – KO 16:30
Ronan O’Gara would rip up England’s backline
Ronan O’Gara sparked rumours of one day coaching England after admitting he would “love” the opportunity.
“Yeah it would be a great job I think actually, what a team,” said O’Gara.
“I think there’s so much potential there, serious rugby players, serious passion for the game in England. It’s a cracking job. You’d love to have a go off that.”
Speaking to BT Sport, O’Gara went into detail on his strategy built around ‘KBA’, standing for ‘Keep Ball Alive’. His time with the Crusaders was pivotal.
“It’s a mindset, something that interests me hugely. There’s a massive ruck focus in the northern hemisphere and then when you go to the Crusaders it’s ‘KBA’ – keep ball alive.” A
We made up this backline based on quotes from the former Ireland fly-half along with the style of rugby he currently deploys with La Rochelle.
RONAN O’GARA’S ENGLAND BACK-LINE:
BACK-THREE:
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell
11. Henry Arundell
