Chiefs duo in England Under-18s squad

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs duo Luke Chapman and Stuart Townsend have both been named in the England Under-18s squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa.

Head Coach John Fletcher has selected prop Chapman and scrum-half Townsend, both of whom are currently in pre-season training with the Chiefs for the tour, which will see England take on South Africa, France and Wales.

England U-18s won their second successive FIRA/AER European Championship in April this year – beating France 27-22 in the final in Grenoble – and Fletcher is looking to replicate those performances this summer.

He said: “The summer tour is an important part of the England Under 18s season – we’re excited about heading out to South Africa for the second year in a row and it’s a good opportunity for our lads to play against the best players in their age bracket.

“We performed well in the FIRA/AER European Championship and we’ll be looking to perform well out there. The value of touring is there for all to see – last year the likes of Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Ross Moriarty, Callum Braley and Tom Stephenson all came out to South Africa, and this season they have won the Six Nations and the IRB Junior World Championship with the Under 20s.

“We know that all three games will be tough – we know the qualities that Wales and France possess and playing South Africa in their own back yard is one of the biggest tests in world rugby, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

England U18 –South Africa Tour 2013

Forwards

Lewis Boyce (Prince Henry's & Leeds Carnegie)
Luke Chapman (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs)
James Chisholm (Brighton College & Harlequins)
Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
Lewis Ludlow (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby)
Paul Hill (Prince Henry's Grammar & Leeds Carnegie)
Alex Lunberg (Hampton School & London Wasps)
Cameron Neild (Manchester Grammar & Sale Sharks)
Will Owen (QE Leicester & Leicester Tigers)
Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale Sharks)
Josh Peters (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
Hayden Stringer (Oaklands & Saracens)
Jack Walker (Prince Henry's & Leeds Carnegie)

Backs

Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol Rugby)
Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens)
Tom Fowlie (St Pauls Catholic College & London Irish)
Tom Howe (Shiplake College & London Wasps)
Rory Jennings (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby)
James Mitchell (Lymm School & Sale Sharks)
Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
Howard Packman (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
Josh Sharp (Oaklands College & Saracens)
Josh Skelcey (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
Stuart Townsend (Ivybridge Community College & Exeter Chiefs)
England Under-18 Summer Tour Fixtures
August 9: England v South Africa
August 13: England v France
August 17: England v Wales