London Irish U18 have named their squad to play Leicester Tigers’ U18s at 14.00 this afternoon.

They are led by number 8 Luke Frost and include the likes of Callum Watson, Cameron Smith, and Hampton centre Roman Malin-Hiscock, who starts on the wing.

It has been a busy period for U18 friendlies as the teams gear up for the Academy season ahead. Northampton Saints named a strong team for their friendly against The Dragons, which included the likes of Bedford School fly half Paddy McDuell, and Stowe’s Tosin Segun, younger brother of Rotimi who is on tour with England U18 in South Africa.

Bedford Blues were also in action recently, their Academy took on Leinster and were packed full of school leavers, including Dulwich College’s NatWest Cup winning captain, Felix Maddison, Sedbergh School’s Oli Robinson, and Gresham’s Harry Agnew.

Having seen the number of academy graduates involved in this summer’s Premiership 7s, those making their debuts for their Academy U18 sides in these pre-season game will have seen exactly what they have to look forward to should they perform over the next year.

For some, like Malin-Hiscock, this is just the start though. He and many others are just U17s this coming year and have plenty of time to shine over the next couple of U18 seasons.

London Irish U18 v Leicester Tigers, 2.00pm:

1, Austin Hay
2, Curtis Langdon
3, Freddie Boyce
4, Charlie Stonehill
5, Angus Southon
6, Seb Herold
7, Harry Norton
8, Luke Frost (C)
9, Callum Watson
10, Eddie Lewis
11, Roman Malin-Hiscock
12, Cameron Smith
13, Elliot Smith
14, Joe Cokanasiga
15, Sam Evans.

Replacements: Sam Curran; Matt Kouris; James Townsend; Jarad Leat; Chris Penton; Will Gibson-Hunt; Ben Holt; Jacob Atkins; Lewis Sampson

Connor Hayhow; Sam Rhodes; Cameron Golby