Kvesic called into conference squad

Worcester Warriors young back row ace Matt Kvesic is celebrating after being called into England’s 31-strong Under 18 Conference squad to prepare for this season’s international programme.

England are unbeaten at Under 18 level for the last two seasons and the coaching staff led by John Fletcher will develop the new team in the four Conference games against the Academy sides from the South West, London & South East, North and Midlands.

The selectors will also look at more players in the Divisional Championships in January before naming a 26-man squad to take on their Six Nations opponents.

A further international opportunity comes in December against the Australian Schools touring side.

England will also field an Under 19 team for two games this season against Australia Schools in December and France in April.

Venues for the internationals will be announced in due course.

ENGLAND U18 CONFERENCE SQUAD

Forwards: Nick Auterac (Oaklands College & Saracens), Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie), Koree Britton (Ivybridge College), Joe Cain (Wyggeston & QEI & Leicester Tigers), James Clutterbuck (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Mal Hearn (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form Coll & Worcester Warriors), George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins), Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & Newcastle Falcons), Sam Northcote-Green (Dulwich Coll & London Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Epsom Coll & Harlequins), Will Tanner (Hartpury Coll & Bath Rugby), Sam Twomey (Dulwich Coll & Harlequins), Ben Vernon (Hutton GS & Sale Sharks), Billy Vunipola (Harrow & London Wasps), Chris Walker (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie)

Backs: Tommy Bell (Bacup and Rawtenstall GS & Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps), Chris Elder (RGS High Wycombe & London Wasps), Jamie Elliott (Bedford & Northampton Saints), George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) Chris Gemmell (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie), Charlie Gordon (Wellington Coll & London Wasps), Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons), Mark Jennings (Lymm HS & Sale Sharks), Jack Masters (King’s Canterbury & Saracens), Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester), Ben Ransom (Tonbridge & Saracens), Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers), Marland Yarde (Whitgift & London Irish)

ENGLAND U18 CONFERENCE FIXTURES
September 20: England U18 Conference v South West Academies (Bath, 2.30)
October 30: England U18 Conference v London Academies (Bisham Abbey)
November 22: England U18 Conference v North Academies (Leeds Univ)
January 17: England U18 Conference v Midlands Academies (Northampton)

ENGLAND U18 INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES
December 13: England U18 v Australia Schools (H)
February 20: England U18 v France (H)
March 7: England U18 v Italy (A)
March 28: England U18 v Wales (A)
April 4-11: England U18 Six Nations Festival games v Ireland & Scotland

ENGLAND U19 INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES
December 19: England U19 v Australia Schools (H)
April 17: England U19 v France (A)

OTHER GAMES
December 9: U19 North/Midlands Academies v Australia Schools (Lymm RFC)
December 16: U19 London & SE/South West Academies v Australia Schools (Hartpury)

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