Leicester Tigers Academy return to rugby action at Castle Park in Doncaster on Friday evening to face a North of England U18s representative side, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm and free entry available to all supporters.

Tigers head into the fixture in confident mood, having won nine matches in succession this season. The contest represents another important step in the development of the club’s next generation, with representative opposition providing a strong test of both skill and temperament.

The North of England U18s squad has been selected from across the North West, Yorkshire and North East regions, drawing players from leading academies including Sale Sharks, Leeds Carnegie and Newcastle Falcons. Several members of the travelling party have featured in England U18 programmes during the current campaign.

One of the evening’s key subplots sees Andy Forsyth lining up against Tigers. A highly rated Academy centre, Forsyth has been selected on the wing for the North of England side. Born in Huddersfield and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, Forsyth’s inclusion adds an extra edge to the contest as he faces familiar teammates in opposition colours.

Tigers also have recent experience of facing representative and international age-grade opposition, having led France U19s at half-time of an academy fixture at Welford Road last October before eventually going down 44–27. That performance proved a valuable benchmark and has contributed to the academy’s strong run of form since.