Tom Dye and Ollie Hull have both been named in England Under-18s squad for the upcoming U18 International Series – with the Northampton Saints duo both a part of the 26-player squad by England head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin.
Prop Dye – who recently signed on with Saints’ Senior Academy – is one of just seven players in the squad to have already earned a maiden cap at Under-18s level, while lock Ollie Hull is set for his first experience of international rugby during the Series in South Africa.
England are set to face their age-grade counterparts from Ireland, France and South Africa in Cape Town and Paarl next month. While Georgia and a South Africa A side are also participating in the three-round competition that takes place on 12, 16 and 20 August.
During the tournament, the matches will be hosted at school venues, – with Stellenberg High School in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, as well as Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High School hosting the U18 teams on triple-header match days.
Head coach Pendlebury said: “What we’re looking to give these young men is the experiences that will serve them well as rugby players and as people, many of whom are experiencing international age-grade rugby and travelling on a tour for the first time.
“All of us as the Men’s Pathway staff want to see them explore as players, trust their instincts and work collaboratively as teammates. That sense of togetherness starts off the pitch and is imperative as a framework to embolden these players to do their best whilst representing England.
“We have focused on Speed as one of our key principles in recent camps, and to now follow on from the U20s in the next few weeks gives us a great deal of inspiration as this new group begin their journey on the development pathway.”
ENGLAND U18 SQUAD FOR 2024 INTERNATIONAL SERIES
FORWARDS
Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, uncapped)
Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, 3 caps)
Ben Beere (Leicester Tigers, Stamford School, uncapped)
Matthew Branch-Holland (Saracens, Ravens Wood, uncapped)
Tom Davis (Sale Sharks, St Mary's College, Crosby, uncapped)
Tom Dye (Northampton Saints, Ipswich School, 1 cap)
Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, 4 caps)
Ollie Hull (Northampton Saints, Stamford School, uncapped)
Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
George Marsh (Leicester Tigers, Gresham's School, uncapped)
Jack Marshall (Saracens, The Campion School, uncapped)
Jack Murphy (Saracens, Colfes, uncapped)
Oscar Thomas (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, uncapped)
Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon's School, 3 caps)
BACKS
Noah Caluori (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Felix Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, 2 caps)
Finn Keylock (Saracens, Bishop Wand School, uncapped)
James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, 4 caps)
Ben Morrow (Saracens, Millfield, uncapped)
George Newman (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)
Julian Nunn (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, uncapped)
Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, 2 caps)
Asa Stewart-Harris (Saracens, St Albans, uncapped)
Cameron Ward (Bath Rugby, Cranleigh School, uncapped)
Sam Winters (Bath Rugby, Harrow School, uncapped)
Victor Worsnip (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped)
England U18 Men’s 2024 International Series fixtures
- Monday 12th August (kick-off: 12.30pm BST) – England vs Ireland – Stellenberg High School
- Friday 16th August (kick-off: 10.30am BST) – England vs France – Paarl Gimnasium
- Tuesday 20th August (kick-off: 12.30pm BST) – South Africa vs England – Paarl Boys' High School
