Charlie Reed has named his side to face Midlands Central in Round 5 of the Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League (20 January, Kick-off: 2pm).
The Boys in Black, Green and Gold got back to winning ways last weekend, picking up a 34-19 victory away to Midlands West, and they will be looking to carry that form into this weekend as they travel to Aylesbury RFC to face Midlands Central.
Reed makes three changes to last weekend’s side, with two coming in the front row. Kanoa Lilo comes in at hooker with Giorgi Turashvilli joining him at tighthead prop. The other change sees Ollie Hull start in the second row.
The backline is unchanged, with Edouardo Todaro continuing at fullback alongside wingers Louis Burns and Rafe Witheat – who both crossed the whitewash last time out.
Ben Agbenu continues to partner captain Billy Pasco in the centres, with the latter also on the scoresheet last weekend, meanwhile the half-back partnership of Jonathan Weimann and Louis Haley continues at nine and ten respectively.
Tom Dye keeps his spot in the front row, partnering Lilo and Turashvilli, and Thomas Ross continues in the engine room alongside Hull. Harry Price, who impressed last week, continues in the back row with fellow flanker Kieran Perkins and No.8 Alfie Hoyles.
On the bench, both Edward Delaney and Henry Lumley are in line to make their debuts at Under-18 level.
“We just want to stay disciplined with the way that we want to play,” said Reed. “Sometimes, we can be quite reactive to the picture that is in front of us, and have that tendency to play within ourselves. I think Midlands Central will come out of the blocks relatively fast.
“They have had last weekend off, so no doubt that they will be fresh going into the game. It is another important opportunity to go and play the way that we know how, so we are very much looking forward to the weekend.”
MIDLANDS CENRAL U18 vs NORTHAMTON SAINTS U18
Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League, Round 5
Saturday 20 January
Aylesbury Rugby Football Club
Kick-off: 2.00pm
15 Edouardo Todaro
14 Louis Burns
13 Ben Agbenu
12 Billy Pasco
11 Rafe Witheat
10 Louis Haley
9 Jonathan Weimann
1 Tom Dye
2 Kanoa Lilo
3 Giorgi Turashvilli
4 Thomas Ross
5 Ollie Hull
6 Harry Price
7 Kieran Perkins
8 Alfie Hoyles
Replacements:
Edward Delaney, Sonny Tonga’uiha, Jack Lawrence, Rhys Harries, Ben Currie, Tom Addison, Henry Lumley
