Edson named in England U18s squad

By Mark Stevens
15/8/22

Exeter Chiefs Academy youngster George Edson is among a 26-strong England Under-18s squad who will head to South Africa for a three-match international series.

It's a first call-up at this level for the hard-running centre, who is a product of the club's academy set-up at Truro College.

The series - which gets under-way this Friday - takes place in Paarl and will see the team play two games against South Africa U18s and one against a South Africa U18 A-side.

Head coach, Jonathan Pendlebury, speaking ahead of the tour said: “This is an exciting tour for the players who have worked hard with their academies throughout the summer in preparation.

“We have almost a week together in South Africa to train and I know the players are really ready to make the most of the opportunities to continue learning. We are keen to explore what representing England at U18 age group level overseas is like versus facing opposition on home soil.”

ENGLAND U18 SQUAD

Finn Baker (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
Jack Bennett (Bath Rugby, Monkton Combe School)
Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike Grammar School)
Tom Burton (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
*Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity College)
Frank Chatterton (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar School)
*Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Oakham School)
George Edson (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College)
*Will Glister (Wasps, City of Oxford College)
*Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School)
Loic Keasey (Worcester Warriors, RGS Worcester)
Isaac Keller (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Whitgift School)
*Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)
Barney Merrett (Saracens, Sutton Valence School)
Alex O’Driscoll (Wasps, Berkhamsted)
Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School)
George Perkins (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)
*Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar School)
*Rory Taylor (London Irish, Wellington College)
Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College)
Raff Weston (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
Will Wootton (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School)

*Capped at U18 level in the 2021-22 season.

MATCH SCHEDULE

19 August: South Africa U18 v England U18 (14:30pm BST)

23 August: South Africa A v England U18 (12 noon BST)

27 August: South Africa U18 v England U18 (14:30pm BST)

All games will be played at Paarl Gymnasium, 416 Main St, Courtrai, Paarl, 7646