Nominations for the ISRFC Lambs U18s are now open for the 2016/17 season.

The nomination process opened on the 31^st October and will close on Monday 28^th November. Heads of Rugby should contact alex.laybourne@lambsrugby.org to make their nominations if they have not yet received information on how to do so.

Following nomination, the players will take part in a Regional Selection day on Sunday 4^th December, spread at various venues across the country.

From there four Regional XVs will be selected to play Regional warm up fixtures on Sunday 11^th December, before a round robin weekend for all four regions on Sunday 8^th January will see the ISRFC Lambs U18 National Squad selected.

They will then play six games over January, February, and March, before heading to Canada on tour over Easter, followed by an end of season fixture against Worcester Warriors on the 29^th April, followed by the end of season dinner.

The Lambs represent a fantastic opportunity for talented players at Independent Schools who have been denied the opportunity to play representative rugby before to showcase that talent. Skill, talent, and an ability to play the game in a ‘fast and free’ spirit are the key focus for the Lambs, rather than power and size, and because of that they have become one of the most watchable sides around.

With excellent rugby values, the scratch side always produces a wonderful atmosphere and a real sense of team spirit and collective enjoyment despite players coming from so many different schools, and that spirit and style of play has made them a real favourite here at Fifteen Rugby.

The fundamental part of the Lambs’ season is their annual tour, which has seen them visit Zimbabwe and South America among other places. This year Canada is the destination for the tour, which will culminate in our of the Lambs’ most challenging and exciting fixtures ever, as they face Canada U18 in their final game.

National Director Alex Laybourne said of the season ahead:

“We are very excited about the new season, which culminates in a tour to Canada where we will face Canada U18s. With the huge number of quality nominations we receive I am confident we can look forward to another season of ‘Fast and Free’ rugby, showcasing the high quality of school-boy rugby played in England.”

ISRFC Lambs U18 Season Schedule:

Monday 31^st October – Nominations open for the four regions

Sunday 4th December  – Regional Selection days

Sunday 11th December – Regional warm up games

Sunday 18^th December – Reserve Sunday

Sunday 8th January – Selection to National Squad, round robin weekend for all 4 regions (venue TBC)

Sunday 15^th January – Reserve weekend

Sunday 22^nd January – Irish Exiles

Sunday 29^th January – Reserve weekend

Sunday 5^th February – Crawshays Welsh

Sunday 12^th February – Yorkshire

Sunday 19^th February – Boys Club of Wales

Tuesday 28^th February – Northampton Saints

Monday 6^th March – Saracens

30^th March to 11^th April 2017 – Canada Tour

29^th April – Worcester Warriors and end of season dinner. (Loughborough)