The England U18 Clubs & Schools side ahs been named for their opening fixture of the Tri-Nations Tournament between themselves, Ireland, U18 Clubs, and France U18 A.

The named side is to play Ireland U18 Clubs at the Franch National Training Centre in Marcoussis at 14.00 tomorrow afternoon.

The English side will be led by Barnard Castle’s Jonny Coser from blindside, he will be hoping to make an impression and make a step on the road to glory that is a well trodden one by sons of the famous Northern school, the likes of the Underwood’s, Rob Andrew, Matt Tait, Lee Dickson, and Callum Clark all hail from Barnard Castle.

Rishworth’s Liam Parfitt at openside and Oaklands College’s Alex Brown at number 8 join him in the back row.

In the second row Adam Thresher of Judd School starts alongside Tom Bell of Uppingham. He will be looking to emulate Glasgow’s Tom Ryder who captained England U18 while at Uppingham before going on to be capped by Scotland at senior level.

In the front row Myerscough College’s Adam Brocklebank and Bryanston School’s Jay Tyack prop either side of Moulton College hooker Owen Griffiths.

His Moulton College teammates dominate the backline, with Cameron Lee-Everton and Harry Shepherd maintaining their Moulton College and Northampton Saints partnership at half back and Conor Bullivant lining up outside them at outside centre.

He is joined by Stonyhurst College’s Tom Morgan at twelve, if he can emulate Stonyhurst’s most famous back, Iain Balshaw, he will be a happy man.

On the wings Harypury College’s James Neal and St Benedict’s Michael Ledger are paired, while at full back Charlie Dockery of the all conquering Epsom College holds fort.

Ireland have already played their opening match, losing 7-3 to France U18 A, so should England win then their match against France U18 A on Sunday 20^th April at 12.30 will become a de facto final.

Ahead of the game against Ireland, Head Coach Dace Reed said:

“The facilities in Marcoussis are top class and we are enjoying being able to use them, the boys have trained hard since we arrived here and we will have a team run before we play Ireland.”

“We have named the team that will start against Ireland but we have also been able to tell the players the team that we intend to field against France on Sunday subject to any injuries.”

England U18 Clubs & Schools v Ireland U18 Clubs – Marcoussis, Paris, Wednesday 16^th April, 14.00.

England U18 Clubs and Schools XV:

15 Charlie Dockery (Epson College)

14 Michael Ledger (St Benedicts, Ealing)

13 Conor Bullivant (Moulton College)

12 Tom Morgan (Stonyhurst College)

11 James Neal (Hartpury College)

10 Harry Shepherd (Moulton College)

9 Cameron Lee-Everton (Moulton College)

1 Adam Brocklebank (Myerscough College)

2 Owen Griffiths (Moulton College)

3 Jay Tyack (Bryanston School)

4 Tom Bell (Uppingham School)

5 Adam Thresher (Judd School)

6 Jonny Coser (Barnard Castle School, captain)

7 Liam Parfitt (Rishworth School)

8 Alex Brown (Oaklands College)

Replacements: 16 Locryn Williams (Truro School)
 17 Charlie Brown (Southend HS)
 18 Josh Waller (Peterborough Regional College) 
19 Michael Dewar (Abingdon School)
 20 Dale Lemon (Cleeve School) 
21 Dan Lewis (St Joseph’s Ipswich)
 22 Ben Dixon (Carre’s GS)
 23 Ben Pointon (Rugby School) 
24 Charlie Dunbar (Stamford School).