After a week’s hiatus, the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League returns this weekend for the penultimate round of action.

Table toppers Northampton Saints (North Pool) and Bath (South Pool) both have bye weeks, giving the chasing pack a chance to put the pressure on them ahead of next week’s final round, where the matchups for Finals Day will be confirmed. Finals day will take place at Kingsholm on Sunday 18^th February, with top of the north playing top of the south in the Final, second vs second for third place, and so on.

Both sides are going to take some catching, but you can be sure that the chasing pack of Exeter Chiefs in the South and Sale Sharks and Midlands Central in the North, who play each other this weekend, will be giving it everything, meanwhile everyone else will be throwing everything they have at the weekend to try to secure as high a finals day fixture as possible.

Round 6 Fixtures & Team News

North (Northampton Saints Bye Week)

Midlands West v Leicester Tigers – Saturday, Stourport HS, 2pm

Midlands West enjoyed a good victory on the road at Newcastle Falcons last time out, a result that keeps them just about in the hunt for second place. So too are Leicester Tigers, who had a bye last week but are level on points with Midlands West.

Midlands West make a few changes to the side that defeated Newcastle Falcons, with a rejig in the back three that sees Hartpury College’s Ellis Deans-Smith come in on the left wing, with Warwick’s Charlie Whorrod switching to the right, and Hartpury’s Hayden Lewis moving back to full back. Up front Harrison Osborne of Bromsgrove comes in, while Dan Halkon of RGS Worcester returns in the second row, meanwhile in the back row Ellesmere College’s Harvey Leonard and Bromsgrove’s Jack Gilbert both come in. On the bench Hereford 6^th form College’s Sean O’Donnell and Stourport High School’s Ben Gowland both get their opportunities.

Leicester Tigers have named their side and make a couple of changes to the side that defeated Yorkshire Academy in Round 4. Norwich’s Freddie Snary returns on the right wing, while Norfolk rival George Marsh of Gresham’s returns in the second row. Trent College’s Dante Moore and Sam Dickens get opportunities from the bench, so too Brooksby Melton College’s Samson Shute.

Midlands West:

15 Haydn Lewis (Hartpury College), 14 Charlie Whorrod (Warwick), 13 Henry Williams (Hartpury College), 12 Henry Parsons (Bromsgrove), 11 Ellis Deans-Smith (Hartpury College), 10 Ned Collins (Hereford 6^th form College), 9 Osian Catlin (Millfield), 1 Harrison Osborne (Bromsgrove), 2 George Knowles (Hereford Cathedral, captain), 3 Lewys Perkins (Stourport HS), 4 Tom Hilton (Malvern College), 5 Dan Halkon (RGS Worcester), 6 Henry Black (Hereford 6^th form College), 7 Harvey Leonard (Ellesmere College), 8 Jack Gilbert (Bromsgrove).

Replacements: 16 Sean O’Donnell (Hereford 6^th from College), 17 Gus Wixey (Malvern College), 18 Fintan Dowling (KES Birmingham), 19 Harvey Shaw (Hartpury College), 20 Rory Blyth (Hereford 6^th form College), 21 Ollie McGinnity (Warwick), 22 Ben Gowland (Stourport HS), 23 Joe Johnston (North Leamington College).

Leicester Tigers:

15 Ethan Blackmore (King’s Grantham), 14 Freddie Snary (Norwich), 13 Harvey Nkrumah (Norwich), 12 Oliver Docherty (Oakham), 11 Tobias Spencer (Norwich), 10 Tom Threlfall (Nottingham HS), 9 Jack Dickens (Trent College), 1 Bronson Mellowes (Brooksby Melton), 2 Jamie Longyear (Denstone College), 3 Ben Beere (Stamford), 4 George Marsh (Gresham’s), 5 Harry Palmer (Brooksby Melton), 6 Joshua Brahoua (King’s Grantham), 7 Lawrence Adediran (Brooksby Melton), 8 Ralfie Willott (Brooksby Melton, captain).

Replacements: 16 Finlay Hayward (Old Swinford Hospital), 17 Dante Moore (Trent College), 18 Euan Fern (Brooksby Melton), 19 Tate Skinner (Old Swinford Hospital), 20 Henry Nanka-Bruce (Brooksby Melton), 21 Sam Dickens (Trent College), 22 James Egerton (Stamford), 23 Samson Shute (Brooksby Melton).

Newcastle Falcons v Yorkshire Academy – Friday, Kingston Park, 8pm

A crucial game at the foot of the North Pool, with Yorkshire Academy looking for their first victory of the campaign and Newcastle Falcons looking to bounce back from back to back defeats.

Newcastle Falcons make three changes from the side that went down to Midlands West last time out. In the backs Dame Allan’s Harry Ryder is promoted from the bench to start at outside centre, while up front two players come in after missing out last week, Gosforth Academy’s Reuben Parsons returns at number 8, while Sedbergh’s Harry Bellamy comes in at hooker. On the bench England prop Sam Graham of Durham School makes his return, and Gosforth Academy’s Rhys Beeckmans gets his chance.

Yorkshire Academy don’t make too many changes either, they had a tough outing against Sale last time out but that is a fate that has met many sides in this campaign. Mount St Mary’s College’s Vojtech Nevicky comes in at outside centre, while Ampleforth College’s Josh Oke moves from 8 to 6 to accommodate Grammar School at Leeds’ Oliver Spencer stepping in at number 8. Will Farr and Anthony McCormack of Bishop Burton College, alongside Kirkham Grammar’s Myles Lyster and Birkdale’s Isaac Firth, are on the bench after missing out last time around.

Newcastle Falcons

15 Josh Bailey (Gosforth Academy), 14 James Bent (Gosforth Academy), 13 Harry Ryder (Dame Allan’s), 12 Josh Farley (Gosforth Academy), 11 Huw Lloyd (Gosforth Academy), 10 Will Bulman (Gosforth Academy), 9 Joe Davis (Barnard Castle), 1 Chris Kelly (RGS Newcastle), 2 Harry Bellamy (Sedbergh), 3 Elvis Kitenge-Fuki (Gosforth Academy), 4 Patrick Hogg (Durham, captain), 5 Harry Wildridge (Yarm), 6 Jacob Butterill (Sedbergh), 7 Charlie Turnbull (Sedbergh), 8 Reuben Parsons (Gosforth Academy).

Replacements: 16 Aidan Stewart (Sedbergh), 17 Finn Kennedy (Carlisle RUFC), 18 Sam Graham (Durham), 19 Charlie Brewer (Dame Allan’s), 20 Dan Toole (Durham), 21 Reuben Dyer (Gosforth Academy), 22 Rhys Beeckmans (Gosforth Academy), 23 Lucas Jessop (RGS Newcastle).

Yorkshire Academy

15 Callum Hyland-Dugbo (Woodhouse Grove), 14 Anesu Chindove (St Peter’s, York), 13 Vojtech Nevicky (Mount St Mary’s), 12 Lloyd McEwan-Peters (Wellington College), 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 Alfie Longstaff (Woodhouse Grove, captain), 3 Oliver Fretwell (Bishop Burton College), 4 Callum Russell (Bishop Burton College), 5 Fraser Perry (Hill House), 6 Josh Oke (Ampleforth College), 7 Archie Hurford (Woodhouse Grove), 8 Oliver Spencer (Grammar School at Leeds).

Replacements: 16 Seb Easterby-Gray (Queen Ethelburga’s), 17 Will Farr (Bishop Burton College), 18 Myles Lyster (Kirkham GS), 19 Anthony McCormack (Bishop Burton College), 20 Harry Tunningley (Hill House), 21 Isaac Firth (Birkdale), 22 Rylie Bonsall (Mount St Mary’s).

Sale Sharks v Midlands Central – Sunday, Platt Lane, 2pm

This is a crucial game, both sides could technically surpass Northampton Saints for top spot by the end of the league campaign, though it would take something sensational in the case of Midlands Central, who are ten matchday points behind. For Sale Sharks though the opportunity is very real. This is their final game of the league campaign, and they can claim top spot with victory and put the pressure on Northampton Saints to earn victory in their final game next week.

Sale Sharks make one change in the backline for this final game of the league campaign, Kirkham Grammar School teammates Ben Firth and Alex Smith swapping, with Smith promoted from the bench to start at outside centre. Up front skipper Seb Kelly is unfortunately out, so Ruben Reed of Merchant Taylors’ comes into the squad on the openside. Xaverian College’s Liam Harrison moves from number 8 to lock, with Kirkham Grammar School’s Monty Loggenberg starting at 8. Meanwhile on the bench St Anselm’s College’s Alex Kerr and Sedbergh’s Zak Halsall both come in.

Midlands Central make a few changes to the side that ran Northampton Saints so close last time out, in the front row Michael Onobhayedo of Magdalen College and City of Oxford College’s Gruff Williams are both promoted from the bench, while in the back row Bloxham’s John Baldwin moves from 6 to 7 with St Edward’s Oxford’s Matt Sell coming in on the blindside. In the backs City of Oxford College’s Drew Delaney returns at scrum half, while his schoolmate Charlie Morgan-Stephens steps in at outside centre. On the bench Leo Carniaux of Magdalen College, Sedbergh’s Jack Randall, and Freddie Cow of RGS High Wycombe all come in.

Sale Sharks:

15 Daniel Green (St Ambose College), 14 Fraser Rossiter (King’s Chester), 13 Alex Smith (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 Liam Harrison (Xaverian College), 5 Dylan Hodkinson (Wirral GS), 6 Jos Gilmore (Kirkham GS), 7 Ruben Reed (Merchant Taylors’), 8 Monty Loggenberg (Kirkham GS).

Replacements: 16 Harrison Kent-Mannion (Wigan Warriors College), 17 Noah Lawton (Myerscough College), 18 Cian Jackson (Kirkham GS), 19 Alex Kerr (St Anselm’s College), 20 Will Holmes (Sedbergh), 21 Ben Firth (Kirkham GS), 22 Zak Halsall (Sedbergh).

Midlands Central:

15 George Pearson (City of Oxford College), 14 Austin Nevitt (Fairfax Academy), 13 Charlie Morgan-Stephens (City of Oxford College), 12 Elis Thomas (City of Oxford College), 11 Emosi Nabakeke (Queen Ethelburga’s), 10 Charlie Mason (St Edward’s Oxford, captain), 9 Drew Delaney (City of Oxford College), 1 George Alexander (City of Oxford College), 2 Michael Onobhayedo (Magdalen College), 3 Gruff Williams (City of Oxford College), 4 Ade Oyeyemi (Henley College), 5 Ethan Surrey (City of Oxford College), 6 Matt Sell (St Edward’s Oxford), 7 John Baldwin (Bloxham), 8 Jake Roberts (Rugby).

Replacements: 16 Leo Carniaux (Magdalen College), 17 Lasha Asatiani-Kalandadze, 18 Matt Bridge (City of Oxford College), 19 Jack Randall (Sedbergh), 20 Diamond Ayiehfor (Warwick), 21 Freddie Walton (Magdalen College), 22 Harry Eckersall (Wellington College), 23 Freddie Cow (RGS High Wycombe).

South (Bath Bye Week)

Gloucester v Saracens – Saturday, Kingsholm, 1pm

These two sit bottom and second bottom of the south group respectively, but such is the tightness of the group that victory for either would see them likely shoot up the standings. Saracens had a bye last week that saw others around them rise, while Gloucester took on one of the most in form sides in either conference, Exeter Chiefs, and put in a spirited display, albeit in defeat.

Gloucester make just two changes to that side that lost to Exeter, Wycliffe College’s Billy Kerslake comes in at loosehead, a move which sees Hartpury College’s Ellis Allen switch from loosehead to tighthead. Meanwhile Allen’s Hartpury teammate Harry Tovey is promoted from the bench to start at inside centre. On the bench King’s Gloucester’s Leo Mullis and Tom Ring get given a chance, alongside Cheltenham College’s Josh Hanson and St Peter’s Gloucester’s Piers Fortey. Saracens are yet to name their side.

Saracens name the same players in the backline that lost narrowly to Bristol Bears, though Haileybury’s Fraser Rawlins moves to his more accustomed centre berth from the wing, with Harrow’s Charlie Griffin going the other way to play on the wing as he does for England. There are three personnel changes up front, with Bloomer coming in at tighthead and two changes in the back row as Berkhamsted’s George Nott gets a start at 8 and Tonbridge’s Zach Johnson gets his chance on the blindside. Ogunsanya and Elder get their opportunities from the bench, so too the returning Varona-Blakstad.

Gloucester

15 Woody Walker (Radley College), 14 Raph Campbell (King’s Gloucester), 13 Ollie Rendell (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 12 Harry Tovey (Hartpury College), 11 Louis Callow (Hartpury College), 10 Taite Fortey (Hartpury College), 9 James Lilwall (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 1 Billy Kerslake (Wycliffe College), 2 Ruben Cummings (Hartpury College), 3 Ellis Allen (Hartpury College), 4 Jonno Balding (Radley College), 5 Jay Evans (Sir Thomas Rich’s), 6 Solomon Shand (Hartpury College), 7 Caio James (Hartpury College, captain), 8 Olly Allport (Dean Close).

Replacements: 16 Leo Mullis (King’s Gloucester), 17 Tom Ring (King’s Gloucester), 18 Josh Hanson (Cheltenham College), 19 Kealan Freeman-Price (Hartpury College), 20 Piers Fortey (St Peter’s, Gloucester), 21 Billy Benson (Dean Close), 22 Jack Hopson (Dean Close).

Saracens

15 Jack Bracken, 14 Finn Newton, 13 Fraser Rawlins, 12 Angus Hall (cc), 11 Charlie Griffin, 10 Alex Nagele, 9 Asa Stewart-Harris, 1 Lewis Young, 2 Frank Kitchen, 3 Finn Bloomer, 4 Charlie Barker, 5 Tayo Adegbemile (cc), 6 Zach Johnson, 7 Charlie West, 8 Gabriel Nott.

Replacements: 16 J Twigg, 17 R Burke, 18 A Ogunsanya, 19 F White, 20 A Marks, 21 R Varona Blakstad, 22 L Elder.

Harlequins v Bristol Bears – Saturday, Grasshoppers RFC, 12.30pm

Two bonus points in defeat to league leaders Bath moved Harlequins off the foot of the table last time out, now they want a first victory since Round 2 to lift them even higher. Standing in their way are Bristol Bears, who are looking to bounce back from defeat to London & South Central last time out.

Harlequins make a few changes from the side that took on Bath, Hartpury College’s Elliot Southworth is fit again and comes in at full back, while Gordon’s Zuko Robb, the England U18 flyer, steps from the bench to the left wing, and Whitgift’s Sam Line comes in at scrum half. Up front Newman College’s Connor Van Lille gets a go at loosehead, while Caterham’s Freddie Abel steps in to the second row. Wellington College’s Tom Maslen and Tonbridge’s Subomi Kolaojo are promoted from outside of the 23 last week to the bench this week.

Bristol Bears are without Clifton College’s star Aiden Boshoff, he has been called into the Wales U20 Six Nations Squad. That sees Josh Sheppard come in on the left wing. Oscar Green and Clifton College teammate Ted Phillips swap roles, with Phillips starting at scrum half, in the only other change to the starting XV for Bristol Bears, while on the bench Russell, Bartlett, and Williams all come in having missed out against London & South Central.

Harlequins:

15 Elliot Southworth (Hartpury College), 14 Izaak Manuel (Eton College), 13 Morgan Purnell (Gordon’s), 12 Ed Tusler (Hurstpierpoint College), 11 Zuko Robb (Gordon’s), 10 Felix Bateman-Champain (Worth), 9 Sam Line (Whitgift), 1 Connor Van Lille (Newman College), 2 Jimmy Staples (Seaford College), 3 Ollie Streeter (Gordon’s), 4 Freddie Abel (Caterham), 5 Elliot Williams (Gordon’s), 6 Jack O’Kelly (Henley College), 7 Ashton Graham (Gordon’s), 8 Tate Williams (Worth).

Replacements: 16 Jamie Miller (Whitgift), 17 Nathan Ventham (Brighton College), 18 Adam Beney (Gordon’s), 19 Tom Maslen (Wellington College), 20 Subomi Kolaojo (Tonbridge), 21 Ben Webb (Gordon’s).

Bristol Bears:

15 Tom Bown, 14 Louis Nancekivell, 13 Victor Worsnip, 12 Jamie Howick, 11 Josh Sheppard, 10 Fin Fielder, 9 Ted Phillips, 1 Will Pearce, 2 Jacob Hodgson, 3 Jack Parkinson, 4 Rowan Curry, 5 Harrison Jones, 6 Joachim Hullah, 7 Kieran Hill, 8 Joe Lloyd.

Replacements: 16 Manship, 17 Davison, 18 Russell, 19 Mills, 20 Bartlett, 21 Green, 22 Williams.

London South Central v Exeter Chiefs – Saturday, Hazelwood, 2pm

After a host of near missed London & South Central finally got the victory that they had been so close to for weeks when they defeated Bristol Bears last time out, and they will be itching for another as they push for a potential second place finish in the table in what is their final game of this group stage. However their opponents, Exeter Chiefs, are the only side that can mathematically catch Bath for top spot, so you can be certain that they will be throwing everything at this one too.

Victory over Bristol came at some cost for London & South Central, who have a number of players out through injury, including Harrow’s star trio of Kepu Tuipulotu, Max Winter, and skipper Reggie Hammick. Injuries to those three see second row Oliver Agar take over the captaincy, while Ashton Ilincic is promoted from the bench to the 7 shirt, likewise Wellington College’s Oscar Thomas from the bench to hooker, meanwhile Lockie Lee starts at outside centre having been outside of the 23 last time out. There are also some new faces on the bench, Hunter Dean-Johns, Reuben Osgood, Aidan Pugh, and Freddy Rossigneux all get opportunities.

Exeter Chiefs meanwhile have no such problems, and are able to name an unchanged starting XV from the side that faced Gloucester in a 29-19 victory last time out. There are just too changes on the bench too, with Jacob Lewis and Ben Harris both getting opportunities.

London & South Central:

15 Martin Betsen Tchoua, 14 Finlay Wiseman, 13 Lockie Lee, 12 Cameron Ward, 11 Tyler Offiah, 10 Finn Keylock, 9 Albert Mildenhall, 1 Charlie Holyer, 2 Oscar Thomas, 3 Jerold Gorleku, 4 Will May, 5 Oliver Agar (c), 6 Elijah Taylor, 7 Ashton Ilincic, 8 Isaac Sprenger.

Replacements: 16 N/A, 17 Alan Poku, 18 Hunter Deane-Johns, 19 Spencer Codling, 20 Reuben Osgood, 21 Aidan Pugh, 22 Finlay Cunnison, 23 Freddy Rossigneux.

Exeter Chiefs

15 Hed Findlay, 14 Noah Clifford, 13 Nick Lilley, 12 Israel Akinrowo, 11 Rhys Williams, 10 Freddie Hurst, 9 Josh Pengilly, 1 Josh Mann, 2 Tyler Bayler, 3 Ben Woodmansey, 4 Luke Evans (c), 5 Mawgen Warren, 6 Tom Dingle, 7 Freddy Rolls, 8 Xan Retallack.

Replacements: 16 Ted Hocking, 17 Jack Sherratt, 18 Albert Dowse, 19 Jacob Lewis, 20 Ben Harris, 21 James Howard, 22 Rhys Richards, 23 Luca Brano.

Standings

North Group

South Group

Upcoming Fixtures

Round 7 (10^th/11^th 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

Newcastle Falcons 26-19 Leicester Tigers

Sale Sharks 49-42 Northampton Saints

Yorkshire Academy – Bye

South

Bath 34-29 Exeter Chiefs

Gloucester 24-14 Harlequins

Saracens 50-36 London South Central

Bristol Bears – Bye

Round 4 Results

North

Leicester Tigers 29-12 Yorkshire Academy

Midlands West 19-34 Northampton Saints

Sale Sharks 59-12 Newcastle Falcons

Midlands Central – Bye

South

Bath 33-31 London South Central

Bristol Bears 27-22 Saracens

Exeter Chiefs 35-24 Harlequins

Gloucester – Bye

Round 5 Results:

North

Midlands Central 41-43 Northampton Saints

Newcastle Falcons 5-19 Midlands West

Yorkshire Academy 10-44 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers – Bye

South

Exeter Chiefs 29-19 Gloucester

Harlequins 29-32 Bath

London South Central 32-19 Bristol Bears

Saracens – Bye