Quartet get Under-18s call-up

By Mark Stevens

Four Exeter Chiefs players have been included in the England Under-18s squad for the upcoming Development Tour to South Africa.

Forwards Josh Caulfield, Billy Keast and Jack Stanley, together with scrum-half Jack Maunder, have all been named in the 26-man squad.

The England team will face three fixtures whilst on tour, starting with France Under-18s on August 7 in Cape Town. They will then face a South African Under-18s 'A' side in George on August 11 before wrapping up things with a clash against South Africa Under-18s on August 15 in Cape Town.

Exeter Chiefs Academy Manager, Robin Cowling, said: "As a club we're always delighted to see any of our players rewarded with international call-ups. Over the years the England Under-18s side has been the initial stepping stone for young players going on to play in tournaments such as the Junior World Championships.

"Players such as Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Sam Hill, Joel Conlon and Stu Townsend have all played at this age level before then going onto play for the Under-20s - and in some cases even higher levels, including full Test standard.

"Again this is a great opportunity for these four boys to go out and show what they can do in what will be a very challenging environment. Both France and South Africa will offer strong opposition so it should be a great tour for all of them to be involved with."


England Under-18s Squad

Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)

Jake Pope (Sale Sharks)

Dan Frost (Bath)

Joe Mullis (Gloucester)

Billy Walker (Saracens)

Jack Stanley (Exeter Chiefs)

Alex Moon (Northampton Saints)

Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)

Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs)

Josh Bayliss (Bath)

Archie White (Harlequins)

Zach Mercer (Bath)

Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs)

Alex Mitchell (Sale Sharks)

Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish)

Ali Crossdale (Sale Sharks)

Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)

Darren Atkins (Bath)

Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)

Max Malins (Saracens)

Dominic Morris (Saracens)

John Williams (London Irish)

Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)

Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)

William Allman (Northampton Saints)