The U18 International Series gets underway on Friday and Durbanville High School in South Africa, with England, France, Georgia, and Ireland hosted by South Africa and South Africa A.
As part of the NextGenXV build-up to the series, yesterday we picked out our Five to Watch from South Africa, and today we pick out our Five to Watch from England. Keep your eyes peeled tomorrow, too, when we will selected our XV to Watch from across the five nations competing!
England get their campaign underway against Georgia on Friday at 12.30pm BST (1.30pm local time) at Durbanville High School – originally scheduled to be at Stellenberg High School, but building works have seen the games there moved.
On Tuesday 12th August the party moves on to Boland Landbou, where England will take on France, against whom they won a thriller against in the U18 Six Nations, in a 2.30pm BST kick off (3.30pm local time). The tour concludes at the iconic Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday 16th August, where England will meet the hosts, South Africa, in the final game of the series at 2.30pm BST (3.30pm local).
Round 1 – Friday 8th August (Durbanville High School)
South Africa A v Ireland (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
Georgia v England (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
South Africa v France (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)
Round 2 – Tuesday 12th August (Boland Landbou)
South Africa A v Georgia (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
South Africa v Ireland (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
England v France (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)
Round 3 – Saturday 16th August (Paarl Gimnasium)
France v South Africa A (10.30 BST, 11.30 S.A.)
Ireland v Georgia (12.30 BST, 13.30 S.A.)
South Africa v England (14.30 BST, 15.30 S.A.)
Five to Watch
Selected just five from this outstanding group of 26 players is no easy task, all have starred either for school, club, academy, or all three in the last few years and all show incredible promise.
It is hard to ignore the five-strong Northampton Saints cohort, 2025 Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League champions, and the three-strong Northampton School for Boys contingent within that.
However there are another 21 brilliant players as well, 8 of them capped and bringing real experience off the back to the U18 Six Nations Festival to this U18 International Series.
Junior Denny – Wing (Gloucester and Bloxham, 4 caps)
Junior Denny and Charlie Tamani were a devastating duo on the wing through the Six Nations for England. Denny scored against Spain and Scotland and the Bloxham schoolboy is looking like such a well rounded winger. Every one of his 4 caps had been in the starting side, something that highlights his quality. Rapid and smart, a deadly combination, Gloucester have a player with real promise on their hands.
Jack Lewis – Back Row (Northampton Saints and Northampton School for Boys, 2 Caps)
The only forward in our five to watch, though the likes of Henry Laidlow, Oliver Spencer, Jordan Ikeh, and Aiden Reid, among other, can count themselves unlucky. Lewis was a key figure for Northampton Saints in their run to the U18 Academy League title, and his two caps have both been from the start at 7. The Northampton School for Boys flanker is all-action, and you can be sure that if he fires, England will fire. Given England probably face the three most physical challenges that there are, Georgia, France, and, especially, South Africa, Lewis’ importance cannot be overstated. Wonderful player.
Hugh Shields – Fly Half (Northampton Saints and Northampton School for Boys, 3 Caps)
As a lower 6th, Hugh Shields ran the show for Northampton Saints from fly half a remarkable feat. A magician on the fields as he has shown over and over against for both Saints and his school, Northampton School for Boys. Largely played second fiddle to Oscar Talbot through the Six Nations, and their battle for the 10 shirt in South Africa is going to be mighty. England are in an incredible position to have both players at their disposal. Shields is one to watch, no doubt. As an aside, watch out for him in tandem with his younger brother, another superstar, for Northampton School for Boys this year!
Oscar Talbot – Fly Half (Leicester Tigers and Rugby School, 4 Caps)
Talbot feels as though he has been around for years, having broken into the Rugby School XV during their bicentenary season in 2023/24. Talbot has been the man in possession of the 10 shirt for England, starting against Scotland and France in the Six Nations. His battle with Shields for that jersey feels like Fin Smith and Marucs Smith with England, or indeed George Ford and Owen Farrell, or indeed all four now! Made all the more exciting for the Tigers/Saints rivalry too. A real steady hand at 10 and such a promising player.
Declan Treacey – Centre (Bath and Beechen Cliff, 4 Caps)
Bath co-captain last year en route to the U18 Academy League final – as a lower 6th. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about Declan Treacey, he is a player of immense quality and incredible character. A key player for England in the U18 Six Nations, scoring against Spain and setting up a crucial try in the epic comeback against France. Will have got the lowdown from elder brother Connor about this tour, he came here two years ago and captained the side in one of the games. Do not be shocked if Declan receives a similar honour at some stage.
