Tom Dye, Ollie Hull and Aiden Ainsworth-Cave have all been named in England’s matchday squad for their second clash of the U18 Men’s International Series in South Africa on Friday (16 August, kick-off: 12.30pm BST).
Prop Dye and lock Hull both return at Paarl Gimnasium having featured in England’s Series opener, where despite a second-half fight back against Ireland, the side came out on the wrong side of the 42-28 scoreline.
Ainsworth-Cave – who signed his first professional contract with Saints this summer – joined up with the squad this week as injury cover for injured tour captain Patrick Hogg and comes straight into the matchday squad to begin the clash against Georgia amongst England’s replacements. A Bedford School graduate, the Saints lock has four under-18 caps to his name already after appearing in all three 2024 U18 Six Nations Festival victories.
After Friday’s clash, Jonathan Pendlebury’s England conclude their 2024 International Series against tournament hosts South Africa next Tuesday (20 August, kick-off: 12.30pm BST) at Paarl Boys’ High School.
Head coach Pendlebury said: “Moment by moment and game by game, our mantra is about ‘Getting Better and Better’ in this Series. Consistent development is a necessity for our group, and I believe there was a marked improvement through the latter stages of our match against Ireland.
“A fresh challenge awaits us this week against Georgia, a team we battled hard against in the recent Six Nations and whose inclusion is a positive one for each union’s respective developments. Meeting them in a different environment with refreshed squads will be an excellent test, none more so in terms of physicality and the relentless approach we want to employ in our remaining games.
“The coaching staff and squad would like to offer our deepest sympathies and support to our French colleagues and to the family of Medhi Narjissi in such tragic circumstances. Medhi will continue to be in our thoughts in the coming days in a situation that has deeply affected the wider rugby fraternity.”
England U18 Men’s side to face Georgia
15 Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, 1 cap)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, 1 cap)
13 Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 3 caps)
12 Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, 1 cap)
11 Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 1 cap)
10 Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, 1 cap)
9 George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, 1 cap)
1 Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 2 caps)
2 Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, 1 cap)
3 Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 1 cap)
4 Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, 1 cap)
5 Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 4 caps)
6 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 4 caps)
7 Connor Treacey (C) (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 8 caps)
8 Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, 1 cap)
Replacements:
16 Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, 1 cap)
17 Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, 1 cap)
18 Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, 1 cap)
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, 4 caps)
20 Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, 1 cap)
21 Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, 1 cap)
22 Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, 1 cap)
23 James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 5 caps)
24 Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 3 caps)
25 Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 1 cap)
26 Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, 1 cap)
England U18 Men’s 2024 International Series fixtures and results
- England 28–42 Ireland – Monday 12th August – Stellenberg High School
- Georgia vs. England – Friday 16 August (kick-off: 12.30pm BST) – Paarl Gimnasium
- South Africa vs. England – Tuesday 20th August (kick-off: 12.30pm BST) – Paarl Boys' High School
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