8 May 2008 – Four Tigers Senior Academy members named in John Fletcher’s England U18s tour of Argentina
Leicester Tigers will be well represented when England U-18s tour Argentina this summer.
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
*Joe Barker Leeds Carnegie
*David Blackwell Gloucester Rugby
*James Currie Bath Rugby
*James Gaskell Sale Sharks
*Jamie George Saracens
*Jamie Gibson London Irish
*Alex Gray Newcastle Falcons
*Tom Holmes Sale Sharks
*Lee Imiolek Sale Sharks
***Sam Jones London Wasps
*Joe Marler Harlequins
*Rob Milligan Northampton Saints
*Jacob Rowan Leeds Carnegie
*Joe Trayfoot Harlequins
*Mako Vunipola Bristol Rugby
Backs
*Freddie Burns Bath Rugby
*Tom Casson Sale Sharks
*Tom Catterick Newcastle Falcons
*Rory Clegg Newcastle Falcons
***Joe Cobden Leicester Tigers
***Sam Edgereley London Irish
***Owen Farrell Saracens
***George Ford Leeds Carnegie
*Andy Forsyth Leicester Tigers
*Sam Harrison Leicester Tigers
*Tom Homer London Irish
*Will Hurrell Leicester Tigers
*Jordi Pasqualin Gloucester Rugby
*Christian Wade London Wasps
*Jack Wallace London Wasps
**Marcus Watson London Irish
* denotes England U-18s Six Nations Festival 2008
** denotes England U-18s AER 2008
*** denotes England U-16s Four Nations 2008