Billy Sela (Beechen Cliff and Royal Wootton Bassett RFC), Ieuan Davies (Millfield and Neath Athletic RFC), George Timmins (Millfield and Market Harborough RFC) and Jack Bennett (Monkton Combe and Bradford on Avon RFC) have all been selected after a successful U18 Academy League season with the junior Blue, Black and White.

The squad has just emerged from its first development camp of the year at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, which kick-started preparations for the season.

The season starts with a match against France Under-18 at Esher Rugby Club on Saturday 18 March (kick-off 12:30) and will be live streamed on England Rugby channels.

England’s player pathway programme is a vital development tool for future international rugby; of the 36-player squad named for the Guinness Six Nations, 32 of them played England U18.

Head of Academy Craig Lilley said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a number of young men who have performed consistently this season.

"Billy, Ieuan, George and Jack have continued to develop well with us here over the past couple of seasons and have been standouts within their school teams as well as the U18 Academy League season.

"This experience will not only enhance the players’ skills in the short term, but will help provide some strong reference points to guide their development in the long term, we feel they all have genuine potential to push on well beyond being very good Under-18s, so this is an important part of their journeys.

“We’re proud of the four players who have got some recognition from England within this selection."

England Under-18 head coach, Jonathan Pendlebury, said: “Congratulations to all players selected in our first squad of 2023, this is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for every single one of them.

“Being selected for England at any level is a proud moment, and one these young men and their families have been building towards throughout their careers, with the help of the hard work from their schools, junior and community rugby clubs, and academies.

“We have five fixtures to prepare for and each one is a chance for the players to put their hand up to represent England. Seventeen of them have worn the rose before, so there are many others who have worked hard to be selected in the pathways programme for the first time.”

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England Under-20s are coming to The Rec in March, taking on France Under-20s in Round 4.

If you want to watch the country’s future in action against the talented French, get yourself a ticket for the fixture taking place on Friday 10 March (kick-off 20:00).

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Four Academy players in England U18 squad

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