Worcester Warriors back row Matt Kvesic is named in the England Under 18 side that will face their toughest test of the season against a Wales side containing RBS 6 Nations starlet Tom Prydie at Swansea on Sunday (2.30pm).
The Ospreys’ teenager became Wales’s youngest international player when he appeared against Italy at the age of 18 years 27 days last weekend.
England have won their last 15 capped internationals at this level since the summer of 2007, extending the run with victories against Australia (30-28), France (33-16) and Italy (28-12) in the last three months.
And head coach John Fletcher, who makes nine changes to the side that won in Calvisano, is relishing their difficult assignment at St Helen’s.
“Playing Wales anywhere is tough, particularly in Wales,” said Fletcher. “I know they’ve prepared well and had good games against Leicester’s Under 19 side and played and beat Scotland well, so we’ll be expecting a very tough game.
“We’ve had a good season so far, prepared well and done well in the games against Australia, France and Italy.
“We’ve built up some momentum and Wales will be a real challenge, which is what it’s all about – we’re really excited about facing them.”
England Under 18
15 Ben Ransom (Tonbridge & Saracens)
14 Marland Yarde (Whitgift & London Irish)
13 Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps)
12 Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester)
11 Charlie Walker (Oakham)
10 George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers, Captain)
9 Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons)
1 Nick Auterac (Oaklands College & Saracens)
2 Koree Britton (Ivybridge Coll & Exeter Chiefs)
3 Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps)
4 Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie)
5 Sam Twomey (Dulwich Coll & Harlequins)
6 Billy Vunipola (Harrow & London Wasps)
7 Chris Walker (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie)
8 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form Coll & Worcester Warriors)
Replacements:
16 Nathan Moris (Sedbergh & Newcastle Falcons)
17 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Epsom Coll & Harlequins)
19 George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins)
20 Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
21 Dan Robson (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester Rugby)
22 Chris Elder (RGS High Wycombe & London Wasps)
23 Mark Jennings (Lymm HS & Sale Sharks)
England Under 18 2009/10
December 13: England U18 30 Australia Schools 28
February 21: England U18 33 France 16
March 6: Italy U18 12 England U18 28
March 28: Wales U18 v England U18 (Swansea)
April 2: England U18 v Ireland (Llandovery, 4pm)
April 6: England U18 v Scotland (Llandovery 2pm)