Cream of Europe's Under-18 at Fylde
16 Feb 2012
The latest England U-18 squad begin their 2012 campaign when they take on France U-18 at Fylde RFC's Woodlands Memorial Ground on Sunday, 19th February (ko 14.00).
Despite being pretty much a new squad, Head Coach John Fletcher & assistant Peter Walton will be hoping that the extraordinary run of success of this age group in recent years - 24 wins in their last 27 internationals - continues this season. Coming on the back of a hat-trick of victories on tour in Australia in August 2011, expectations will again be high. But, as always, a talented French squad is likely to test such ambitions to the full on the Lancashire Coast.
John Fletcher said: "We're really excited about heading up to Fylde for what promises to be a great game against a strong France side and it would be superb to get a big crowd down to support us. The way the fixtures fell last season meant that we didn't get to play the French, so we're excited about renewing some old acquaintances. This season's Under 18s squad is much changed from last year's group but we have some talented lads who will work extremely hard and give their all."
The 23-man squad includes a number of players who already have either made their débuts for Premiership clubs or are already knocking on the door. One of the survivors from last season's squad is Anthony Watson, the outstanding London Irish winger. The seventeen-year-old has played at Twickenham alongside World Cup winners in the Help for Heroes game, made his Aviva Premiership début for the Exiles, was nominated for the 2011 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award and scored a début try for England Under 20s just 60 seconds after coming onto the pitch against Scotland!
Another young prospect not letting the grass grow under his feet is fly-half Billy Burns, also seventeen and studying at Hartpury College, who recently made his first team début for Gloucester coming on as a replacement for England legend Mike Tindall. Burns has signed a full-time contract at Kingsholm and will join a squad which included his elder brother Freddie, a rising star who has represented England Saxons.
ENGLAND - Forwards: Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby), Danny Hobbs (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Gus Jones (Eton College & London Wasps), Reece Marshall (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Ross Moriarty (Hartpury College & Gloucester), Max Northcote-Green (Millfield & Bath Rugby), Jake Oldaker (Wellington College & Bath Rugby), Harry Rudkin (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st & Leicester Tigers), Harry Thacker (Leicester Grammar & Leicester Tigers), James Thraves (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st & Leicester Tigers), Steve Uren (Filton College & Bristol Rugby) & Scott Wilson (Sedbergh School & Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: Callum Braley (Hartpury College & Bristol Rugby), Billy Burns (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby), George Catchpole (Leicester Grammar & Leicester Tigers), Tom Chapman (Colfe's School & Saracens), Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens), Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints), Javiah Pohe (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st & Leicester Tigers), Tom Stephenson (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Josh Watkins (Bromsgrove School & Worcester Warriors) & Anthony Watson (St Georges College & London Irish).
FRANCE - Forwards: Youssef Amrouni (RC Nice & Hyeres), Oleg Ishchenko (Chalampe & Dijon), Romain Ruffenach (St Rochelais & Tours), Benoît Andre (CA Brive & Ussel), Anthony Rochet (US Boug & Villefranche), Mickaël Hygonnet (SC Albi & Toulouse), Arthur Iturria (Av Bayonnais & Bayonne), Jordan Benheim (USAP & Beziers), Jean-Baptiste Singer (AS Montfer & Ussel), Yacouba Camara (RC Massy E & Lakanal), Félix Lambey (CS Lons Jura & Dijon), Raphaël Molcard (USAP) & Jean-Blaise Lespinasse (US Montauban).
Backs: Paul Abadie (SU Agen), Baptiste Serin (U Bdx Bègles & Talence), Sebastien Dimitri (CABBG & Talence), François Bouvier (RC Chalon & Dijon), Julien Gardey (US Colomiers & Toulouse), Brandon Fajardo (FC Auch & Toulouse), Gaël Fickou (RC Toulon & Pôle France), Mohamed Belguidoum (US Tours & Tours), Nicolas Metge (SC Albi & Toulouse) & Thomas Bouyxou (St Toulousain & Toulouse).
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The Club is putting on a quality 3 course pre-match lunch in the Woodlands Suite commencing at 12.00pm. The event will be hosted by Bill Beaumont. Tickets for the meal are priced at £17.50 for adults and £14.50 for U16's including admission. The pre match meal must be booked in advance via Emily or Adele in the club office - 01253 734733. There are a small number of tickets for the lunch still available.
Fylde's Woodlands Ground is located in Lytham St Annes on the Lancashire Coast, four miles south of Blackpool. The address is: Fylde RFC, Woodlands Memorial Ground, Blackpool Road, Ansdell, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 4EL. The ground is three miles from the end of the M55 motorway and is served by the Ansdell & Fairhaven Railway Station, 800m from the Ground. This is on the Preston to Blackpool South line.
