Chiefs U-18s side set for final

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s coach Marek Churcher has called for "more of the same" from his side as they look to be crowned Premiership Under-18 champions at Allianz Park on Monday.

The Chiefs will battle it out for top honours in the grand final against Northampton Saints, who themselves have advanced from the Northern Group.

Undefeated this season, the Chiefs have been in sparkling form as they saw off the challenges of Bath, Bristol, Harlequins and Saracens to book their place in the final, which will kick-off at 5pm.

Churcher, who oversees the team alongside Rob Gibson, said: "Obviously we're delighted to have got to the final, but we know only half the job has been done and now we have to produce a big performance to overcome Northampton.

"Throughout the course of the season the lads have produced some outstanding performances in the competition and again it's a clear indication that the work being carried out within the Academy set-ups at the three colleges at Truro, Bicton and Ivybridge is clearly working.

"This season we've seen the likes of Jack Nowell play for England in the Six Nations, Sam Hill, Henry Slade and Dave Ewers play for the England Saxons, and others like Sam Simmonds, Stu Townsend, Tom Hendrickson, Jack Oulton and Max Bodilly have all played for the Chiefs first team in the LV= Cup.

"We're delighted with the progress that all of those guys have made, but we also have some brilliant young talent coming through in this Under-18s group as well. Monday's final, as I said, is a big opportunity for them to not only cap off what has been a great season for them as a collective, but it will also help enhance their claims to be involved yet further with the Chiefs in the future."

The Regional Academy U18 competition is the primary domestic playing opportunity for England Academy Players and the rationale of the competition is to provide a learning and development opportunity for players in the academy system.

Secondly, matches like Monday's final will provide an environment to assess the abilities and potential of players to progress within both the academy and England age-grade pathway.

Quality of competition is widely acknowledged as a key component of player development and it has for some time been recognised that it would be beneficial for the very best players at this age group to play against each other more often. The introduction of this competition has taken steps to address the quality of playing programmes for academy players 16-18 and provides a development opportunity in their academy journey.

RFU Professional Player Development Manager Alun Powell said: “The Regional Academy U18 competition is now in its second year and provides a terrific learning opportunity for players in this critical development stage.

"Over the course of these matches, individuals and teams have grown and will have benefitted greatly from the experience. The finals festival at Allianz Park will provide an excellent stage to showcase the work of the Regional Academies and for people to get a glimpse of the next generation.”

Allianz Park, the home to Premiership side Saracens, will play host to four fixtures on Monday. They are as follows:

• 11.00 Game 1 Saracens v London Irish
• 13.00 Game 2 Bath v Gloucester
• 15.00 Game 3 Harlequins v Leicester Tigers
• 17.00 Game 4 Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs

 
CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

1. Oli Dawe
2. Jack Innard
3. Billy Keast
4. Josh Caulfield
5. Ed Holmes
6. Matt Bolwell
7. Nat Bayett
8. Todd Lowry

9. Jack Oulton
10. Joel Matavesi
11. Harrison Cully
12. Tom Holdsworth
13. Ned Warne
14. Kai Little
15. Tom Putt

Replacements

16. Charlie Gibbings
17. Jack Stanley
18. Tommy Southworth
19. Luke Hattam
20. Toby Papp
21. Jack Maunder
22. Jack Faulkner
23. Sam Fellows