As well as playing an important role in the academy’s eight-match unbeaten run, all three Tigers have also represented the development XV in the Guinness A League in 2007/08.
They will be part of a 26-man squad selected from the Rugby Football Union’s Regional Academy system which will be coached by former England international back row Alex Sanderson and ex-England Womens haed coach Geoff Richards.
England U-18s’ Six Nations Festival campaign gets underway when they take on Wales on March 2 at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium. They will then travel to Cork for the Six Nations Festival in March to play against Italy, France and Scotland.
“I am delighted to have been able to select this squad,” said Sanderson. “All these players have proved they deserve their chance to represent their country at U-18 level. There is no easy route into this squad so I am confident that we have a very talented group of players who can compete in a tough season ahead of us.
“All of these lads have been at the top of their game at schools level, but now they have to make the step up and prove that they are capable of playing international rugby, and as a former U-18 player myself, I know what a challenge and honour that is.
“So far we have had four trial games and we have won each one and scored an average of four tries a game, so I think we are in a strong position ahead of our first game against Wales and our Six Nations Festival campaign in Cork.”
England U-18
Joe Barker QEGS Wakefield Leeds Carnegie
David Blackwell Hartpury College Gloucester Rugby
James Currie Millfield Bath Rugby
James Gaskell Sandbach Sale Sharks
Jamie George Haileybury Saracens
Jamie Gibson Marlborough College London Irish
Alex Gray Barnard Castle Newcastle Falcons
Tom Holmes Sandbach Sale Sharks
Lee Imiolek Sandbach Sale Sharks
Joe Marler Richmond College Harlequins
Rob Milligan Rugby School Northampton Saints
Jacob Rowan Bradford GS Leeds Carnegie
Joe Trayfoot Epsom College Harlequins
Mako Vunipola Millfield Bristol Rugby
Freddie Burns Bath College Bath Rugby
Tom Casson Sedbergh Sale Sharks
Tom Catterick Barnard Castle Newcastle Falcons
Rory Clegg Barnard Castle Newcastle Falcons
Andrew Forsyth QEGS Wakefield Leicester Tigers
Sam Harrison John Cleveland College Leicester Tigers
Tom Homer Milton Abbey London Irish
Will Hurrell Wyggeston & QE1 Coll Leicester Tigers
Jordi Pasqualin The King’s School Gloucs Gloucester Rugby
Sam Smith Cranleigh Harlequins
Christian Wade RGS High Wycombe LondonWasps
Jack Wallace RGS High Wycombe London Wasps
England U-18 Six Nations Festival fixtures
England U-18 vs Wales, March 2, Sixways (kick-off 3pm)
England U-18 vs Italy, March 26, Temple Hill Cork, (kick-off 5pm)
England U-18 vs France, March 29, Highfield RFC Cork, (kick-off 2.30pm)
England U-18 vs Scotland, April 1, Musgrave Park Cork, (kick-off 2.30pm)
Tickets for the England U-18s vs Wales match are priced at £10 for adults (£12 on the day) and £5 for juniors (£6 on the day). Limited on-site parking will also be available for £5 per car and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available from both the Ticket Office and on-line at www.wrfc.co.uk.
