Caulfield starts for England U-18s

Exeter Chiefs lock Josh Caulfield is one of 14 changes England have made as they rotate the squad for the second match of the Under-18 International Series against South Africa Under-18 A at Outeniqua Park today.

Caulfield, a product of Bicton College, was an unused replacement in Friday’s 15-7 win over France, but starts alongside Saracens youngster Nick Isiekwe in the England engine-room.

Fellow Chiefs prop Billy Keast and scrum-half Jack Maunder, both of whom started against the French, are named on the bench for this latest encounter.

Head Coach John Fletcher said: “We wanted every player to start in either the first or second game so that they have opportunity to transfer what we have been working on in training into a game situation.

“The focus is always on how the players work together to solve the problems that the opposition create for us in attack and defence. I’m excited to see how this squad performs against a strong South African side with some very talented individuals.

“The match against France was the first time this squad have played together since early April, it often takes a game to iron things out and we will be better for it.

“Our performance was pleasing in most areas, we reacted well at the start of the second half when the French put us under real pressure but we felt that we created lots of opportunities and were frustrated not to convert more into tries.

“Playing away from home is a big focus in what we do in the Under 18 programme – we try to test the players as much as we can to support their development and playing South Africa away, twice in one week, is a great example of that.”

England Under-18 to face South Africa A

15. Ali Crossdale (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
14. Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)
13. Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry's)
12. Johnny Williams (London Irish, St Paul's Sunbury)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins, Trinity)
10. Max Malins (Saracens, Felsted, captain)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, Lymm HS)

1. Jake Pope (Sale Sharks, Myerscough College)
2. Curtis Langdon (London Irish, St Pauls Sunbury)
3. Charlie Capps (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry's)
4. Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs, Bicton College)
5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, Haileybury College)
6. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)
7. Will Allman (Northampton Saints, Trent College)
8. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby, Merchiston Castle School)

Replacements

16. Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby, Chosen Hill)
17. Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College)
18. Billy Walker (Saracens, Oaklands College)
19. Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, Sedbergh School)
20. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
21. Archie White (Harlequins, Epsom College)
22. Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs, Blundells School)
23. Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish, Abingdon School)
24. Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins, Wellington College)
25. Roti Segun (Unattached, Stowe School)
26. Dominic Morris (Saracens, New Hall School)

England Under-18 schedule
7 August: England Under-18 vs France Under-18, City Park Stadium, Cape Town
11 August: England Under-18 vs South Africa Under-18 A, Outeniqua Park, George
15 August: England Under-18 vs South Africa Under-18, City Park Stadium, Cape Town