After a great Round of action last weekend, the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League continues this weekend with Round 4.
Bristol Bears and Yorkshire Academy return to competitive action for the first time since August, though they did meet in a friendly last week, with Midlands Central and Gloucester having the bye weeks this week.
Meanwhile Northampton Saints and Bath look to build their advantages at the top of their respective conferences.
Round 4 Fixtures & Team News (13th/14th January)
North (Midlands Central Bye)
Leicester Tigers v Yorkshire Academy – Saturday, Loughborough Uni, 5pm
Tigers lost on the road to Newcastle Falcons last time out and will be itching to bounce quickly back against bottom side Yorkshire Academy on Saturday evening, and they may feel they need to if they are to stay in contention to challenge for top spot. For Yorkshire, meanwhile, it’s a first game in the league since August and they will be looking for a first victory and a potential rise up the table.
Leicester Tigers
15 Ethan Blackmore (King’s Grantham), 14 Yaw Afirifah-Mensah (Trent College), 13 Harvey Nkrumah (Norwich), 12 Oliver Docherty (Oakham), 11 Tobias Spencer (Norwich), 10 Tom Threlfall (Nottingham HS), 9 Jack Dickens (Trent College), 1 Bronson Mellows (Brooksby Melton), 2 Jamie Longyear (Denstone College), 3 Ben Beere (Stamford), 4 Tate Skinner (Old Swinford Hospital), 5 Harry Palmer (Brooksby Melton), 6 Joshua Brahoua (King’s Grantham), 7 Lawrence Adediran (Brooksby Melton), 8 Ralfie Willott (Brooksby Melton, captain).
Replacements: 16 Euan Fern (Brooksby Melton), 17 Finlay Hayward (Old Swinford Hospital), 18 Tubuna Maka (Brooksby Melton), 19 George Marsh (Gresham’s), 20 Henry Nanka-Bruce (Brooksby Melton), 21 Jonty Nickols (Stamford), 22 James Egerton (Stamford), 23 Tom Pickering (Denstone College).
Yorkshire Academy
15 George Brown (Barnard Castle), 14 Callum Hyland-Dugbo (Woodhouse Grove), 13 Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Wellington College), 12 Jack Wilson (Harrogate GS), 11 Thomas Rowe (Woodhouse Grove), 10 Louie Platt (Mount St Mary’s), 9 Gabriel Horberry (Harrogate GS), 1 Lucas Oxley (St Peter’s, York), 2 Seb Easterby-Gray (Queen Ethelburgas, captain), 3 Sam Bland (Bishop Burton College), 4 Callum Russell (Bishop Burton College), 5 Henry Renshaw (Mount St Mary’s), 6 Luca Teal (Woodhouse Grove), 7 Archie Hurford (Woodhouse Grove), 8 Alfie Longstaff (Woodhouse Grove).
Replacements: 16 N/A, 17 Oliver Spencer (Grammar School at Leeds), 18 Oliver Fretwell (Biship Burton College), 19 Fraser Perry (Hill House), 20 Will Brooks (Grammar School at Leeds), 21 Oscar Binns (Woodhouse Grove), 22 Aiden Doeg (St Peter’s, York), 23 Anesu Chindove (St Peter’s, York).
Midlands West v Northampton Saints – Saturday, Stourport HS, 2pm
The first kick off in the North Pool this weekend and it’s a huge one a Midlands West, buoyed by last week’s victory over RFU Midlands Academy rivals Midlands Central, host table toppers Northampton Saints at Stourport High School. Saints actually lost last week in an epic 49-42 game at Sale Sharks, but two bonus points in defeat actually ended up stretching their advantage at the top of the table – they will be keen for a return to winning ways though.
Midlands West
15 Haydn Lewis (Hartpury College), 14 Jacob Reynolds (Stourport HS), 13 Ewan Tulloch (Ellesmere College), 12 Henry Parsons (Bromsgrove), 11 Ellis Deans-Smith (Hartpury College), 10 Ned Collins (Hereford 6th form College, captain), 9 Osian Catlin (Millfield), 1 Jeremy Akena (Stourport HS), 2 George Knowles (Hereford Cathedral), 3 Lewys Perkins (Stourport HS), 4 Tom Hilton (Malvern College), 5 Dan Halkon (RGS Worcester), 6 Henry Black (Hereford 6th form College), 7 Harvey Leonard (Ellesmere College), 8 Jack Gilbert (Bromsgrove).
Replacements: Rory Blyth (Hereford 6th form College), Harry Wright (Stourport HS), Harry Pemberton (Solihull), Henry Williams (Hartpury College), Harrison Osborne (Bromsgrove), Tom Roberts (Hartpury College), Fintan Dowling (KES Birmingham), Joe Johnston (North Leamington College).
Northampton Saints
15 Edoardo Todaro, 14 Louis Burns, 13 Ben Agbenu, 12 Billy Pasco (C), 11 Rafe Witheat, 10 Louis Haley, 9 Jonathan Weimann, 1 Tom Dye, 2 Robert Gaffan, 3 Reon Gilbert Joseph, 4 Thomas Ross, 5 James Barrett, 6 Harry Price, 7 Kieran Perkins, 8 Alfie Hoyles.
Replacements: 16 Zack Garrett, 17 Giorgi Turashvilli, 18 Ollie Hull, 19 Rhys Harries, 20 Ben Currie, 21 Tom Addison, 22 James Pater.
Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons – Sunday, Heywood Road, 1pm
As they like to do, Sale Sharks once again host on Sunday and they will do so with great confidence after that epic game and brilliant victory over Northampton Saints last time out. Newcastle Falcons are this weekend’s visitors and Sale’s northern rivals are in confident mood too after a strong performance in victory over Leicester Tigers last time out to lift them off the foot of the table.
Sale Sharks
15 Daniel Green (St Ambrose College), 14 Fraser Rossiter (King’s Chester), 13 Ben Firth (Kirkham GS), 12 Toby Wilson (King’s Macclesfield), 11 Sebi Krippner (Kirkham GS), 10 Ollie Davies (Kirkham GS), 9 Rhys Hulse (Kirkham GS), 1 Ben Lilley (Knutsford Academy), 2 Tom Davis (St Mary’s College), 3 Leon Tahana (Wirral GS), 4 Josh Gibbon (Ashton on Mersey), 5 Jos Gilmore (Kirkham GS), 6 Liam Harrison (Xaverian College), 7 Seb Kelly (Kirkham GS, captain), 8 Monty Loggenberg (Kirkham GS).
Replacements: 16 Freddie Griffiths (King’s Macclesfield), 17 Noah Lawton (Myerscough College), 18 Cian Jackson (Kirkham GS), 19 Dylan Hodkinson (Wirral GS), 20 Will Bennett (Sedbergh), 21 Will Holmes (Sedbergh), 22 Alex Smith (Kirkham GS), 23 Sam Lewtas (Kirkham GS).
Newcastle Falcons
15 Tom Katory (Dame Allan’s), 14 Sam Wardle (RGS Newcastle), 13 Rory Linkleter (Gosforth Academy), 12 Osea Navuso (Richmond 6th form College), 11 Huw Lloyd (Gosforth Academy), 10 Josh Farley (Gosforth Academy), 9 Joe Davis (Barnard Castle), 1 Harvey Headlam (Hartlepool 6th form College), 2 Ryan Shaw (Gosforth Academy), 3 Finn Kennedy (Carlisle RUFC), 4 Patrick Hogg (Durham, captain), 5 Aaron Nokes (Gosforth Academy), 6 Jacob Butterill (Sedbergh), 7 Charlie Turnbull (Sedbergh), 8 Reuben Parsons (Gosforth Academy).
Replacements: 16 Harry Bellamy (Sedbergh), 17 Chris Kelly (RGS Newcastle), 18 Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Gosforth Academy), 19 Harry Wildridge (Yarm), 20 Dan Toole (Durham), 21 Reuben Dyer (Gosforth Academy), 22 Josh Bailey (Gosforth Academy), 23 James Bent (Gosforth Academy).
South (Gloucester Bye)
Bath v London South Central – Saturday, Chippenham RFC, 12.15pm
Bath are looking rampant just now, with three victories from their three games including a thriller against Exeter Chiefs last time out. They are eight points clear and would love to extend that on Saturday lunchtime but London & South Central will be no pushovers. The former London Irish Academy are one of a group of four teams from 2nd to 5th that are level on 7 points and they would love to split themselves from that pack after collecting two losing bonus points at Saracens last time out.
Bath
15 Owen Erasmus (Millfield), 14 Julian Nunn (Beechen Cliff), 13 Henry Bartlett (Beechen Cliff), 12 Steffan Emanuel (Millfield), 11 Toby Lock (Beechen Cliff), 10 James Linegar (Kingswood), 9 Sam Gane (Beechen Cliff), 1 Theo Malik (Dauntsey’s), 2 Evan Gallagher (Kingswood), 3 Leo Palmer (Kingswood), 4 Harry Butterworth (Dauntsey’s), 5 Alex Deering (Millfield), 6 James Maloney (Marlborough College), 7 Ed Elliott (Marlborough College), 8 Connor Treacey (Beechen Cliff, captain).
Replacements: 16 Henry Bonetti (Millfield), 17 Sam Janaway (Canford), 18 Codi Purnell (Millfield), 19 Charlie Ward (Kingswood), 20 Fred Kempton (Beechen Cliff), 21 Isaac Mears (Beechen Cliff), 22 Jack Harrison (Beechen Cliff), 23 Declan Treacey (Priestlands).
London & South Central
15 Martin Betsen Tchoua, 14 Finlay Wiseman, 13 Maximus Winter, 12 Cameron Ward, 11 Tyler Offiah, 10 Finn Keylock, 9 Aidan Pugh, 1 Charlie Hoyler, 2 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3 Jerold Gorleku, 4 Rory McKnight, 5 Oliver Agar, 6 Elijah Taylor, 7 Reggie Hammick (c), 8 Isaac Sprenger.
Replacements: 16 Oscar Thomas, 17 Alan Poku, 18 Martin Chalmers, 19 Spencer Codling, 20 Will May, 21 Albert Mildenhall, 22 Finlay Cunnison, 23 Jody Bunce.
Bristol Bears v Saracens – Saturday, Dings Crusaders, 7pm
The late kick off on Saturday sees Bristol Bears return to competitive action for the first time since August. Bristol lie in sixth place but are just a point off second and a victory over Saracens would see them surge up the table. Saracens are in good spirits though after that victory over London & South Central last time out, their first victory of the campaign.
Bristol Bears
15 Tom Bowen, 14 Louis Nancekivell, 13 Victor Worsnip, 12 Jamie Howick, 11 Aidan Boshoff, 10 Fin Fielder, 9 Oscar Green, 1 Will Pearce, 2 Jacob Hodgson, 3 Jack Parkinson, 4 Rowan Curry, 5 Joe Lloyd (c), 6 Joachim Hullah, 7 Kieran Hill, 8 Oliver Russell.
Replacements: 16 Manship, 17 Davison, 18 Jones, 19 Spokes, 20 Phillips, 21 Williams, 22 Sheppard.
Saracens
15 Jack Bracken (St Albans), 14 Finn Newton (Haileybury), 13 Charlie Griffin (Harrow), 12 Angus Hall (The Judd, co-captain), 11 Fraser Rawlins (Haileybury), 10 Alex Nagele (Berkhamsted), 9 Asa Stewart-Harris (St Albans), 1 Lewis Young (Sutton Valence), 2 Frank Kitchen (The Judd), 3 Rohan Burke (Ipswich), 4 Charlie Barker (Ashford), 5 Tayo Adegbemile (St Albans, co-captain), 6 Jack Marshall (Campion), 7 Charlie West (St Albans), 8 Finn White (Sedbergh).
Replacements: 16 Harry McNamara (Hayes), 17 Josh Twigg (St George’s, Harpenden), 18 Joe Roberts (Mill Hill), 19 Zach Johnson (Tonbridge), 20 Gabriel Nott (Berkhamsted), 21 Alfie Marks (Gravesend GS), 22 Archie Nicklin (Richard Hale), 23 Ben Morrow (Millfield).
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins – Saturday, Truro College, 12.30pm
Despite defeat to Bath last time out, Exeter’s bonus point took them to second in the table and they would love to solidify that with a victory at lunchtime at Truro College this Saturday. Harlequins will be a stubborn opponent though, who will feel incredibly frustrated to be bottom of the table after last week’s defeat at Gloucester, though they should take heart from the fact that with the right combination of result they could finish up as high as 2nd come the end of the weekend. The South Pool, Bath aside, is beyond tight.
Exeter Chiefs
15 Jed Findlay, 14 Noah Clifford, 13 Nick Lilley, 12 Rhys Richards, 11 Rhys Williams, 10 Freddie Hirst, 9 Josh Pengilly, 1 Josh Mann, 2 Tyler Bayley, 3 Ben Woodmansy, 4 Luke Evans (c), 5 Charlie Evered, 6 Mawgen Warren, 7 Tom Dingle, 8 Xan Retallick.
Replacements: 16 Ted Hocking, 17 Jamie Stewart, 18 Albert Dowse, 19 Ben Harris, 20 Bobby Pond, 21 George Newman, 22 Luca Brano, 23 Israel Akinrowo.
Harlequins
15 Rory Minton (Seaford College), 14 Tyler Stewart-Passley (Whitgift), 13 Zuko Robb (Gordon’s), 12 Ed Tusler (Hurstpierpoint College), 11 Elliot Southworth (Hartpury College), 10 Ben Webb (Gordon’s), 9 Fergus Callington (Whitgift), 1 Connor Van Lille (Newman College), 2 Jimmy Staples (Seaford College), 3 Ollie Streeter (Gordon’s), 4 Nathan Ventham (Brighton College), 5 Elliot Williams (Gordon’s), 6 Quinn Singh (Trinity), 7 Ashton Graham (Gordon’s), 8 Jack O’Kelly (Henley College).
Replacements: 16 Jamie Miller (Whitgift), 17 Milo Rayner-Parkin (Hurstpierpoint College), 18 Harry Bostock (Seaford College), 19 Tate Williams (Worth), 20 Morgan Purnell (Gordon’s), 21 Felix Bateman-Champain (Worth), 22 Izaak Manuel (Eton College).
Standings
North Group
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | BPs | Points |
| 1 | Northampton Saints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | Midlands Central | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | Sale Sharks | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| 4 | Midlands West | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 5 | Leicester Tigers | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Newcastle Falcons | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 7 | Yorkshire Academy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
South Group
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | BPs | Points |
| 1 | Bath | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 | Exeter Chiefs | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | Saracens | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | London South Central | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Gloucester | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 | Bristol Bears | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | Harlequins | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Upcoming Fixtures
Round 5 (20th January)
North
Midlands Central v Northampton Saints – Saturday, Aylesbury RFC, 2pm
Newcastle Falcons v Midlands West – Saturday, Kingston Park, 2pm
Yorkshire Academy v Sale Sharks – Saturday, Keighley RFC, 2pm
Leicester Tigers – Bye
South
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester – Saturday, Truro College, 2pm
Harlequins v Bath – Saturday, Cobham RFC, 1.30pm
London South Central v Bristol Bears – Saturday, Hazelwood, 1pm
Saracens – Bye
Round 6 (2nd/3rd/4th February)
North
Midlands West v Leicester Tigers – Saturday, Stourport HS, 2pm
Newcastle Falcons v Yorkshire Academy – Friday, Kingston Park, 8pm
Sale Sharks v Midlands Central – Sunday, Platt Lane, 2pm
Northampton Saints – Bye
South
Gloucester v Saracens – Saturday, Kingsholm, 1pm
Harlequins v Bristol Bears – Saturday, Grasshoppers RFC, 12.30pm
London South Central v Exeter Chiefs – Saturday, Hazelwood, 2pm
Bath – Bye
Round 7 (10th/11th February)
North
Leicester Tigers v Midlands Central – Saturday, Loughborough Uni, 2pm
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons – Saturday, Franklins Gardens, 4.30pm
Yorkshire Academy v Midlands West – Saturday, Doncaster Knights, 2pm
Sale Sharks – Bye
South
Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs – Saturday, Dings Crusaders, 4pm
Gloucester v Bath – Saturday, Kingsholm, 1pm
Saracens v Harlequins – Sunday, StoneX, 1pm
London South Central – Bye
Finals Day – Sunday 18th February, Kingsholm Stadium
Past Results
Round 1
North
Midlands West 22-22 Sale Sharks
Northampton Saints 75-7 Leicester Tigers
Yorkshire Academy 31-33 Midlands Central
Newcastle Falcons – Bye
South
Bath 29-27 Bristol Bears
Exeter Chiefs 44-27 Saracens
London South Central 36-33 Gloucester
Harlequins – Bye
Round 2
North
Leicester Tigers 40-26 Sale Sharks
Midlands Central 45-14 Newcastle Falcons
Northampton Saints 40-21 Yorkshire Academy
Midlands West – Bye
South
Bristol Bears 49-12 Gloucester
Harlequins 35-25 London South Central
Saracens 26-34 Bath
Exeter Chiefs – Bye
Round 3 Results
North
Midlands Central 19-27 Midlands West – Saturday, Warwick School, 2pm
Newcastle Falcons 26-19 Leicester Tigers – Saturday, Kingston Park, 2pm
Sale Sharks 49-42 Northampton Saints – Sunday, Heywood Road, 1pm
Yorkshire Academy – Bye
South
Bath 34-29 Exeter Chiefs – Saturday, Chippenham RFC, 2pm
Gloucester 24-14 Harlequins – Saturday, Kingsholm, 1pm
Saracens 50-36 London South Central – Saturday, StoneX, 1pm
Bristol Bears – Bye
