1 March 2008 – Tigers trio make England U18s matchday squad.
Andrew Forsyth has been named in the starting line up for England U-18s’ opening Six Nations Festival match with Wales this Sunday.
Forsyth starts at full back, while Tigers team-mates Sam Harrison and Will Hurrell also make the matchday 23 for the game at Worcester’s Sixways (kick-off 3pm).
“I am confident this is a really strong starting line-up,” said England coach Alex Sanderson. “Over the season, all our squad have had game time in various trial matches so I know we have strength in depth.
“We will need that as this game against Wales is going to be very tough. Wales are strong and very big, they are heavier than our boys, and that will make them strong in the scrum as well as in the line-outs. We also know they are very disruptive at the breakdown and that is something we will have to control.
“I think where we will prove strongest is through our pace. Our lads are light and full of pace and that will hopefully give us opportunities to exploit.
“One of the most important things for us will be composure. From schools rugby to an international match is a big step-up and you have to be composed to avoid errors creeping in and that will be a big thing for us. This will be especially important in this game as the rivalry between England and Wales is always intense, be it playing for the U-18s to running out for the England senior team.”
The Wales fixture is England’s first international of the season ahead of the Six Nations Festival in Cork, which will see the England young guns take on Italy, France and Scotland in March and April.
England U-18s
1 Joe Marler Harlequins
2 Jamie George Saracens
3 Mako Vunipola Bristol Rugby
4 Jamie Gibson London Irish
5 James Gaskell Sale Sharks
6 Joe Trayfoot Harlequins
7 Jacob Rowan Leeds Carnegie
8 Rob Milligan Northampton Saints
9 Jordi Pasqualin Gloucester Rugby
10 Freddie Burns Bath Rugby
11 Christian Wade London Wasps
12 Tom Homer London Irish
13 Tom Casson Sale Sharks
14 Sam Smith Harlequins
15 Andrew Forsyth Leicester Tigers
Replacements
16 Lee Imiolek Sale Sharks
17 David Blackwell Gloucester Rugby
18 James Currie Bath Rugby
19 Tom Holmes Sale Sharks
20 Joe Barker Leeds Carnegie
21 Sam Harrison Leicester Tigers
22 Will Hurrell Leicester Tigers
23 Jack Wallace London Wasps
England U-18s Six Nations Festival Fixtures
England U-18s vs Wales, March 2, Sixways, kick-off 3pm
England U-18s vs Italy, March 26, Temple Hill Cork, kick-off 5pm
England U-18s vs France, March 29, Highfield RFC Cork, kick-off 2.30pm,
England U-18s vs Scotland, April 1, Musgrave Park Cork, kick-off 2.30pm
Tickets for England U-18s vs Wales 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 Worcester Warriors ticket office and on-line at www.wrfc.co.uk. Hospitality packages will also be available for the international. For more information call the Worcester sales department on 01905 459354.