Four members of next year’s academy set-up have been named in former Newcastle boss’ John Fletcher’s first national squad.
Andrew Forsyth, Sam Harrison and Will Hurrell all keep their places after impressive performances in the recent Six Nations Festival, while academy newcomer Joe Cobden, who joins Tigers ahead of next season, is also included.
The squad of 32 will play four games against Mendoza, Tucuaman, Buenos Aires and an international test against Argentina. The dates and venues for these fixtures are still to be confirmed but England will be in Argentina from July 14 to August 6.
The England team head into the development tour with 25 players who helped them to a Grand Slam of victories in the Six Nations Festival in Cork.
“Going to Argentina is a tremendous opportunity and a fantastic development vehicle for these players,” said Fletcher. “It’s going to be a tough development camp as Argentinean sides and Argentina themselves are known for being strong upfront and being passionate about their rugby.
“For me, this is my first experience of working with the U-18s and I’m really looking forward to spending a concentrated period of time with them. I have seen all the U-18s games this season and I have been very impressed. They are clearly a very strong squad.
“We have also called up some of the Under 18s AER and U-16s players who have proved themselves this season. This will be the start of the process for them, and it will be an outstanding opportunity for them to learn on the next rung of the ladder.”
England U-18s development tour squad
Forwards
**Peter Austin London Irish Worthing College
*Joe Barker Leeds Carnegie QEGS Wakefield
*David Blackwell Gloucester Rugby Hartpury
*James Currie Bath Rugby Millfield
*James Gaskell Sale Sharks Sandbach
*Jamie George Saracens Haileybury
*Jamie Gibson London Irish Marlborough College
*Alex Gray Newcastle Falcons Barnard Castle
*Tom Holmes Sale Sharks Sandbach
*Lee Imiolek Sale Sharks Sandbach
***Sam Jones London Wasps Aylesbury Grammar School
*Joe Marler Harlequins
*Rob Milligan Northampton Saints Rugby School
*Jacob Rowan Leeds Carnegie Bradford Grammar
*Joe Trayfoot Harlequins Epsom College
*Mako Vunipola Bristol Rugby Millfield
Backs
*Freddie Burns Bath Rugby Bath College
*Tom Casson Sale Sharks Sedbergh
*Tom Catterick Newcastle Falcons Barnard Castle
*Rory Clegg Newcastle Falcons Barnard Castle
***Joe Cobden Leicester Tigers King Edward VI Lichfield
***Sam Edgereley London Irish Wellington College
***Owen Farrell Saracens St Georges
***George Ford Leeds Carnegie Rishworth
*Andy Forsyth Leicester Tigers QEGS Wakefield
*Sam Harrison Leicester Tigers John Cleveland College
*Tom Homer London Irish Milton Abbey
*Will Hurrell Leicester Tigers Queen Elizabeth II
*Jordi Pasqualin Gloucester Rugby The Kings School
*Christian Wade London Wasps RGS High Wycombe
*Jack Wallace London Wasps RGS High Wycombe
**Marcus Watson London Irish St George’s College
* denotes England U-18s Six Nations Festival 2008
** denotes England U-18s AER 2008
*** denotes England U-16s Four Nations 2008
