England U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury has named Sale Sharks back-row Charlie Bray as captain of a 28-player squad for the 2026 U18 International Series hosted in South Africa.
The annual age-grade tour is hosted in the Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape, with Pendlebury’s England opening the trip against Georgia at Durbanville High School on Friday 7th August (13:30 BST kick-off). All fixtures will be streamed live on SuperSport Schools.
Skipper Charlie, who continued his development in the PREM NextGen league last season alongside earning his first U19 appearance against Wales last December, is one of four Sharks named in the squad, along with Will Bayston, Lawrence Ogbonnaya and Jordan Ikeh.
All four signed their first Senior Academy contracts with Sharks ahead of the 2026/27 season.
With an experienced 17 previously-capped players named in the cohort, Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers), Obonnaya and Saracens’ Ediz Karsak already boast England U19 appearances alongside Bray.
Bray, Talbot and Obonnaya, as well as Seva Batikora, Bayston, Kwame Bekoe, Sonny Goode, Ikeh and Aiden Reid, return for their second U18 International Series.
Alongside Karsak, Will Catley, Kaiden Corbett, Joe Edmunds, Jack and Will McIntosh, Charles Morgan, Henry Sui, Taniel Tumusiime, Jack Tyler and Ellis Woodrych are set for their first U18 caps on the tour.
Jack Lewis, Hugh Shields and Oliver Spencer, each involved in England’s 2025 U18 International Series, progressed to involvement in the U20 Men’s recent World Rugby Junior World Championship campaign.
Pendlebury will be supported by Head of Men’s Player Pathways, Mark Mapletoft, who will specialise in attack coaching, and pathway scrum coach, Nathan Catt, who will oversee set-piece and defence responsibilities.
England U18 Men assemble at the Hazelwood Centre today (Monday 20th) for a two-day, pre-tournament training camp. Ben Adshead, Jeremiah German and Fin Shields have been invited to train with Pendlebury’s squad for the two-day camp.
Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Congratulations to all the players selected for this season-opening tour to South Africa, a fantastic opportunity for them that that reflects the hard work, commitment and ownership they have shown throughout the pathway to earn their place in the squad.
“This group has laid strong building blocks through their development last season, and with the support of their coaches, teammates and families, they now have the chance to test themselves in a challenging environment while continuing to grow and get better, on and off the field.
“We’re excited to see them embrace the experience, enjoy representing the Rose, and take another important step on their rugby journey.”
England U18 Men’s squad for 2026 U18 International Series (includes current academy, school/college, community club and U18 caps)
Forwards:
Ben Allen (Bath Rugby, Wellington College, Gosport and Fareham Rugby Club, 4 caps)
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, Stamford RFC, 6 caps)
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, Norwich RFC, 7 caps)
Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, Preston Grasshoppers RFC, 4 caps*)
Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, Newark Rugby Club, 4 caps)
Kaiden Corbett (Bristol Bears, SGS College, Cleve RFC, uncapped)
Joe Edmunds (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, Belper Rugby Club, uncapped)
Tiane Elone (Saracens, Mill Hill, Westcombe Park RFC, 3 caps)
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, Stockport Rugby Club, 3 caps)
Ediz Karsak (Saracens, The Judd School, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped*)
Jeremy Keys (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Withycombe RFC, 3 caps)
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, Winnington Park, 3 caps*)
Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, Olney RFC, 7 caps)
Henry Sui (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, Salisbury Rugby Club, uncapped)
Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead, Sutton and Epsom RFC, uncapped)
Backs:
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, Selby RFC, 6 caps)
Will Catley (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, Market Bosworth RFC, uncapped)
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, Banbury RFC, 5 caps)
Archie Guyver (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Ivybridge RFC, 4 caps)
Zac Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Mill Hill, Westcombe Park RFC, 4 caps)
Jack McIntosh (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Kingsbridge RFC, uncapped)
Will McIntosh (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Kingsbridge RFC, uncapped)
Will Moore (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, South Gower RFC, 2 caps)
Charles Morgan (Saracens, Mill Hill, Aylesford Bulls, uncapped)
Caspar Reeves (Bristol Bears, Taunton School, Crewkerne RFC, 4 caps)
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, Barkers Butts RFC, 6 caps*)
Taniel Tumusiime (Saracens, Harrow School, Wasps FC, uncapped)
Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman, Pulborough RFC, uncapped)
*denotes capped at U19 level
Players invited to train: Ben Adshead (Gloucester Rugby), Jeremiah German (Northampton Saints), Fin Shields (Northampton Saints)
England U18 Men’s 2026 U18 International Series fixtures
England vs. Georgia – Friday 7th August, 13:30 BST kick-off – Durbanville High School
England vs. France – Tuesday 11th August, 13:30 BST kick-off – Boland Landbou
England vs. South Africa – Saturday 15th August, 15:30 BST kick-off – Stellenberg High School
