James Pater, Charlie Tamani, Archie Appleby and Hugh Shields are all set to feature on the international stage again this week, as England Under-18s take on France in the 2025 U18 Six Nations Festival.
The match is the side’s final clash of the Festival and kicks off at 5.30pm (BST) on Friday 18 April, following convincing wins over Scotland (71-5) and Spain (43-19) in the tournament so far.
The young Saints are named as part of the 25-man matchday squad – with fullback Pater and winger Tamani starting, while lock Appleby and fly-half Shields begin the clash on the bench at Stade Municipal Louis Darragon.
Ahead of the clash, head coach Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Our performance against Spain offered some exciting rugby on both sides of the ball, whilst also offering up areas of refinement necessary for all players and staff to get better.
“Heading into the final act of our competitive schedule this month, our team – players and coaches – have excelled in reflecting our framework of planning, exploration, adaptation and ownership. The importance of collective development has been reinforced by the team’s bonding together as a brotherhood in gametime and away from the pitch.
“Friday’s fixture is finely poised, and we as a group are aligned in seizing the opportunity in another demanding test against France.”
The match will be streamed live on England Rugby’s YouTube channel HERE.
ENGLAND U18s SIDE TO FACE FRANCE
(includes current academy, community club, school/college and U18 caps)
15 James Pater (Northampton Saints, Shelford RFC, The Leys School, 3 caps)
14 Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Banbury Rugby Club, Bloxham School, 3 caps)
13 Will Knight (vc) (Gloucester Rugby, Longlevens RFC, Hartpury College, 3 caps)
12 Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, New Milton RFC, Beechen Cliff School, 3 caps)
11 Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Bury St. Edmunds, Finborough School, 3 caps)
10 Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Barkers Butts RFC, Rugby School, 3 caps)
9 Isaac Mears (Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, 3 caps)
1 Alan Poku (Saracens, Ealing Trailfinders, Bishop Wand School, 3 caps)
2 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester Rugby, Drybrook RFC, Hartpury College, 3 caps)
3 Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby, Alcester, Stourport High School & Sixth Form College, 3 caps)
4 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Lydney RFC, Dean Close School, 3 caps)
5 Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, Trinity School, 3 caps)
6 Elliot Williams (c) (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, 9 caps)
7 Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Preston Grasshoppers, Kirkham Grammar School, 1 cap)
8 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Holt RFC, Denstone College, 3 caps)
Replacements:
16 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins, Twickenham RFC, Bishop Wand School, 3 caps)
17 Oliver Spencer (Yorkshire Academy, Harrogate RUFC, Grammar School at Leeds, 3 caps)
18 Sam Bland (Yorkshire Academy, Wharfdale, Bishop Burton College, 3 caps)
19 Archie Appleby (Northampton Saints, Hadleigh RUFC, Sedbergh School, 3 caps)
20 Tate Williams (Harlequins, East Grinstead RFC, Worth School, 2 caps)
21 Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, Ravens Wood, 5 caps)
22 James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Harbury Rugby Football Club, Warwick School, 3 caps)
23 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians, Northampton School for Boys, 3 caps)
24 Zac Finch (Saracens, Sidcup RFC, Ravens Wood, 2 caps)
25 Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Falcons, Horden and Peterlee RFC, Durham Cathedral School, 1 cap)
ENGLAND UNDER-18s SIX NATIONS FESTIVAL FIXTURES
Matchday 1 – England 71-5 Scotland (Thursday 10 April, kick-off: 12.15pm BST)
Matchday 2 – Spain 19-43 England (Monday 14 April, kick-off: 10.00am BST)
Matchday 3 – France vs England (Friday 18th April, kick-off: 5.30pm BST)
