England U18 2025/6

[Epaminondas Pules]

2025 Men’s Pathway front five camp squad (includes academy and school/college/university)

Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School)
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College)
Ben Beadle (Saracens, Sedbergh School)
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School)
Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College)
Tom Dargan (Saracens, Harrow School)
Josh De Waal (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards Oxford)
Will Dorrell (Gloucester Rugby, King’s School Worcester)
Charlie Evered (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter University)
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar)
Jeremy Keys (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School)
Kajetan Lewandowski (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College)
James Moore (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School)
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School)
Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School)
Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys)
Nathan Rickerby (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy)
Teddy Smith-Milne (Gloucester Rugby, Clifton College)
Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School)
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Grammar School at Leeds)
Casper Wheeler (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College)
Ben Woodmansey (Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates)
Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead)
Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby)

2025 Men’s Pathway U18 backs specialist camp squads (includes academy and school/college/university)

Day 1 (Friday 26th – Saturday 27th PM)

James Alcock (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College)
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School)
Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
Eli de Venecia (Saracens, Harrow School)
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School)
Max Hooper (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School)
Will Lane (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
Ollie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Oxford College)
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys)
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School)
James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School)
Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School)
Caylen Umaga (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton)

Day 2 (Saturday 27th PM – Sunday 28th)

Stanley Amor (Harlequins, Hampton School)
Sam Bunch (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School)
Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School)
Lewis Jalal (Yorkshire Academy, Harrogate Grammar School)
Austin Keogh (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield Campus)
Hardy Linnell (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School)
Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School)
Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman)
Alfie Warwick (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy)
Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School)
Jack Woods (Northampton Saints, Impington International College)

[Epaminondas Pules]

England U18 Development Camp squad announced
A 60-player squad has been selected by England U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin for this weekend's development camp.

Hosted at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, the U18 Men’s side convene for the first four-day development camp of the season this Wednesday following the conclusion of the opening stage of the RFU ACE League and first three rounds of PREM Next Gen Academy League.

The camp is split into two, day-and-a-half sessions to support the cohort’s development within the pathway framework, with 12 players invited to their first pathway camp.

Nineteen previously capped players, including previous tour captains Henry Laidlow (Harlequins) and Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby), are set to be involved as the side look to build into preparations for the 2026 U18 Six Nations next April.

Pendlebury’s England U18 Men’s side meet at England’s Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park on Friday 5th December.

Will Parkin said: “Our focus for this camp is speed and support, bringing both areas to life on and off the field. We have a large player pool this weekend, with a varied level of experience from players with multiple caps to players coming in for the first time, which is exciting.

“From an attacking point of view, it’s going to be heavily focused on developing the players’ core skills and ability to be comfortable in unstructured scenarios. We want to put their decision making under pressure and challenge them on how good they can be at getting the ball to space, whilst making sure they continue to develop quality contact skills that underpins our attacking game.

“We’re bringing these players together to test themselves in a different environment, surrounded by the best players in the country at their age. So, it’s vital they come in and are exposed to an environment that's more challenging than what they are used to, so they can go back to their clubs, schools and colleges as better players.”

England U18 Men’s October Development Camp squad (includes academy, school/college and U18 caps)

Forwards
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, 2 caps)
Ben Beadle (Saracens, Sedbergh School, uncapped)
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, 3 caps)
Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Oscar Churchouse (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College, uncapped)
Tom Dargan (Saracens, Harrow School, uncapped)
Josh De Waal (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped)
Leo Dickinson (Harlequins, Kings College Wimbledon)
Joe Edmunds (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Tiane Elone (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Hendro Hattingh (Sale Sharks, Scarisbrick School, uncapped)
AJ Henry (Saracens, Mill Hill, 2 caps)
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, 3 caps)
Freddie Jones (Saracens, Sutton Valence School, 2 caps)
Zak Jones (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Jeremy Keys (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)
Ben Koolen (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, uncapped)
Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School, 7 caps)
Kajetan Lewandowski (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped)
Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps)
Alex Mead (Northampton Saints, Perse School, uncapped)
James Moore (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, uncapped)
Euan Oakes (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, 3 caps)
Charles Rotimi (Saracens, Campion School, uncapped)
Ben Smith (Yorkshire Academy, Wath Academy, uncapped)
Teddy Smith-Milne (Gloucester Rugby, Clifton College, uncapped)
Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School, 2 caps)
Mawgan Talling (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)
George Tonga'uhia (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Harry Westlake (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge Community College, uncapped)
Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead, uncapped)
Max Worsley (Saracens, Mill Hill, uncapped)
Alex Yeabsley (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)

Backs
James Alcock (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped)
Stanley Amor (Harlequins, Hampton School, uncapped)
Aston Barrington-Hibbert (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, 2 caps)
Rio Bennett (Saracens, Brighton College, uncapped)
Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)
Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, 5 caps)
Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School, 3 caps)
Lochie Glackin (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, 2 caps)
Max Hooper (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, uncapped)
Hardy Linnell (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, uncapped)
Samuel Marshall (Harlequins, Whitgift School, uncapped)
Will Moore (Bristol Bears Clifton College, uncapped)
Ollie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Oxford College, uncapped)
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps)
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, 6 caps)
Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School, 7 caps)
Jack Taylor (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College, uncapped)
James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 6 caps)
Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, 7 caps)
Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman, uncapped)
Caylen Umaga (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton, uncapped)
Alfie Warwick (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
Kai Wilkinson (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped)
Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School, 2 caps)

[Puja]

11 Tigers in that squad - very good representation from the academy.

Puja

[FKAS]

11 Tigers in that squad - very good representation from the academy.

Puja

Excellent stuff. Hopefully the majority make it through to the senior side.

[Epaminondas Pules]

And just FYI - Stanley Amor is Simon's son. Very well thought of.

[FKAS]

George Tonga'uhia
Max Worsley
Sonny Goode
Max Hooper
Caylen Umaga

Also sons of famous fathers?

[Epaminondas Pules]

George Tonga'uhia
Max Worsley
Sonny Goode
Max Hooper
Caylen Umaga

Also sons of famous fathers?

All apart from Goode(ish). His dad is Matt Goode, who was a decent player, if not at the level of the other famous fathers. He's head of DPP for Saints now I believe and I think DOR at Banbury.

[FKAS]

George Tonga'uhia
Max Worsley
Sonny Goode
Max Hooper
Caylen Umaga

Also sons of famous fathers?

All apart from Goode(ish). His dad is Matt Goode, who was a decent player, if not at the level of the other famous fathers. He's head of DPP for Saints now I believe and I think DOR at Banbury.

Ta.

[Which Tyler]

If you see max Hooper, you simply cannot doubt his heritage

No awkward questions at all for the postman

[FKAS]

Ha, to be fair it would be a very brave postman.

[Epaminondas Pules]

By position. Usual caveat that a lot of players (mostly backs) are multi-positional. Big shout on that point to Zak Jones who is an inside centre and flanker

It is a young squad as you expect at this time of year. That said it is a very exciting and strong squad. Going to be tough to whittle this down to the playing squads. You would expect most of the already capped players to be retained and arguably be prime for first choice, but there are a lot of players coming in who will really challenge that.

Forwards

Loosehead:
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, 2 caps)
Ben Beadle (Saracens, Sedbergh School, uncapped)
Hendro Hattingh (Sale Sharks, Scarisbrick School, uncapped)
Mawgan Talling (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)

Hooker:
Tiane Elone (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Charles Rotimi (Saracens, Campion School, uncapped)
Teddy Smith-Milne (Gloucester Rugby, Clifton College, uncapped)
Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School, 2 caps)

Tighthead:
Tom Dargan (Saracens, Harrow School, uncapped)
Joe Edmunds (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Ben Koolen (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, uncapped)
Kajetan Lewandowski (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped)
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, 3 caps)
Ben Smith (Yorkshire Academy, Wath Academy, uncapped)

Lock:
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, 3 caps)
Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Josh De Waal (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped)
Freddie Jones (Saracens, Sutton Valence School, 2 caps)
Jeremy Keys (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)
Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School, 7 caps)
Alex Mead (Northampton Saints, Perse School, uncapped)
James Moore (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, uncapped)
George Tonga'uhia (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead, uncapped)

Backrow:
Oscar Churchouse (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College, uncapped)
Leo Dickinson (Harlequins, Kings College Wimbledon)
AJ Henry (Saracens, Mill Hill, 2 caps)
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, 3 caps)
Zak Jones (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped)
Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps)
Euan Oakes (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
Harry Westlake (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge Community College, uncapped)
Max Worsley (Saracens, Mill Hill, uncapped)
Alex Yeabsley (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)

Backs

Scrum Half:
James Alcock (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped)
Stanley Amor (Harlequins, Hampton School, uncapped)
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, 2 caps)
James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 6 caps)

Fly Half:
Max Hooper (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, uncapped)
Samuel Marshall (Harlequins, Whitgift School, uncapped)
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps)
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, 6 caps)
Caylen Umaga (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton, uncapped)

Centre:
Aston Barrington-Hibbert (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)
Rio Bennett (Saracens, Brighton College, uncapped)
Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped)
Lochie Glackin (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped)
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, 2 caps)
Will Moore (Bristol Bears Clifton College, uncapped)
Ollie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Oxford College, uncapped)
Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, 7 caps)
Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman, uncapped)

Back three:
Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, 5 caps)
Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School, 3 caps)
Hardy Linnell (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, uncapped)
Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School, 7 caps)
Jack Taylor (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College, uncapped)
Alfie Warwick (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy, uncapped)
Kai Wilkinson (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped)
Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School, 2 caps)

From a front row perspective it is hard to look past Batikora, Southwell and Ogbonnaya. Mawgan Talling will certainly challenge for that starting loosehead berth. Elone is one to keep an eye on who moved from No8 to hooker this year.

In the second row Laidlow is a shoe in, this being his 3rd year with the U18s. Outside of that it is very competitive indeed!

Backrow is just as hard to call. Lewis, Henry and Ikeh have experience at this level, but there have been some very exciting backrowers add to the squad. Yes he’s the son of a famous father, but Worsley is worth watching, as is the aforementioned Zak Jones.

Townsend and Bayston are joined by two exciting scrum halves in Amor and Townsend’s understudy James Alcock.

At fly half Talbot and Shields fought for the 10 shirt all season, but are joined by three very talented 10s. Two famous sons and Marshall who has been cutting up for Whitgift.

Treacey will almost certainly wear the 12 shirt this season again. Personally I like Glackin at Denstone. He had a tough lower sixth with injury, but has been excellent this season.

Denny, Tamani and Edwards is the likely back three on paper. The other options in the mix are pretty sharp. I personally like Jack Taylor, but they’re all decent.

[charlesdeboeuf]

If you see max Hooper, you simply cannot doubt his heritage

No awkward questions at all for the postman

Could also pass as Ted Hill's brother!

[anders_limpar]

George Tonga'uhia
Max Worsley
Sonny Goode
Max Hooper
Caylen Umaga

Also sons of famous fathers?

Hugh Shields is also the son of former saints and 2 cap Ireland hooker Paul Shields, who is still at saints in a recruitment role

[twitchy]

Are any of them any good?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Are any of them any good?

All of the kids of former players are very decent prospects.

Hooper, Umaga and Shields are very good fly halves in the making. Umaga will need to move post Academy. Most likely destination would be Sale as it is a well trodden pathway now, but they already have Ollie Davies coming through. Hooper seems to have got his mom's genes when it comes to flair as he;s quite the trickster at 10. Shields is very well rounded.

Goode is a centre come fullback. Can play 12 or 13. Good hands and visions. Good boot on him too.

Tong'uhia obviously has a genetic advantage. To me he looks a better prospect than his older brother. Lock or backrow, though I suspect he'll end up backrow.

Worsley is an exciting backrower. Much more skillfull than his old man. Been standout in a very good Mill Hill side.

EDIT: and Amor is a very good scrum half prospect.

[Epaminondas Pules]

George Tonga'uhia
Max Worsley
Sonny Goode
Max Hooper
Caylen Umaga

Also sons of famous fathers?

Hugh Shields is also the son of former saints and 2 cap Ireland hooker Paul Shields, who is still at saints in a recruitment role

Good shout!

[twitchy]

Cheers EP.

[FKAS]

Are any of them any good?

All of the kids of former players are very decent prospects.

Hooper, Umaga and Shields are very good fly halves in the making. Umaga will need to move post Academy. Most likely destination would be Sale as it is a well trodden pathway now, but they already have Ollie Davies coming through. Hooper seems to have got his mom's genes when it comes to flair as he;s quite the trickster at 10. Shields is very well rounded.

Goode is a centre come fullback. Can play 12 or 13. Good hands and visions. Good boot on him too.

Tong'uhia obviously has a genetic advantage. To me he looks a better prospect than his older brother. Lock or backrow, though I suspect he'll end up backrow.

Worsley is an exciting backrower. Much more skillfull than his old man. Been standout in a very good Mill Hill side.

EDIT: and Amor is a very good scrum half prospect.

Excellent knowledge as always.

With Umaga, got to feel that's one where Red Bull need to be flexing their financial muscle and new development pathway. They can point to developing previous age grade flyhalfs well in Haydon-Wood and Johnson but failing to hold onto them. Umaga could be the next one they bring through well but actually get to keep.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Are any of them any good?

All of the kids of former players are very decent prospects.

Hooper, Umaga and Shields are very good fly halves in the making. Umaga will need to move post Academy. Most likely destination would be Sale as it is a well trodden pathway now, but they already have Ollie Davies coming through. Hooper seems to have got his mom's genes when it comes to flair as he;s quite the trickster at 10. Shields is very well rounded.

Goode is a centre come fullback. Can play 12 or 13. Good hands and visions. Good boot on him too.

Tong'uhia obviously has a genetic advantage. To me he looks a better prospect than his older brother. Lock or backrow, though I suspect he'll end up backrow.

Worsley is an exciting backrower. Much more skillfull than his old man. Been standout in a very good Mill Hill side.

EDIT: and Amor is a very good scrum half prospect.

Excellent knowledge as always.

With Umaga, got to feel that's one where Red Bull need to be flexing their financial muscle and new development pathway. They can point to developing previous age grade flyhalfs well in Haydon-Wood and Johnson but failing to hold onto them. Umaga could be the next one they bring through well but actually get to keep.

That would be a good move, in principal for him. I say that as who knows what they're going to do now they've got cash.

[FKAS]

All of the kids of former players are very decent prospects.

Hooper, Umaga and Shields are very good fly halves in the making. Umaga will need to move post Academy. Most likely destination would be Sale as it is a well trodden pathway now, but they already have Ollie Davies coming through. Hooper seems to have got his mom's genes when it comes to flair as he;s quite the trickster at 10. Shields is very well rounded.

Goode is a centre come fullback. Can play 12 or 13. Good hands and visions. Good boot on him too.

Tong'uhia obviously has a genetic advantage. To me he looks a better prospect than his older brother. Lock or backrow, though I suspect he'll end up backrow.

Worsley is an exciting backrower. Much more skillfull than his old man. Been standout in a very good Mill Hill side.

EDIT: and Amor is a very good scrum half prospect.

Excellent knowledge as always.

With Umaga, got to feel that's one where Red Bull need to be flexing their financial muscle and new development pathway. They can point to developing previous age grade flyhalfs well in Haydon-Wood and Johnson but failing to hold onto them. Umaga could be the next one they bring through well but actually get to keep.

That would be a good move, in principal for him. I say that as who knows what they're going to do now they've got cash.

I'd imagine it'll be a similar setup to their cycling team where they build up a competent squad, buy in a couple of big names to lead the charge but at the same time be building up a pipeline for the next generation of talent. Newcastle probably aren't far off a competent squad currently but they are desperately short of some big names that can make a difference and having been plucked of their best young talent in recent years that development pathway needs some love. John Fletcher is being brought in and I've heard they are recruiting more development coaches.