Treacey to lead England in U18 festival

BATH back rower Connor Treacey will captain England U18 in the Six Nations Festival.

Treacey made his debut for the U18 Men in last summer’s U18 International Series in South Africa, appearing in all three Tests against France, Western Province and South Africa, before recently leading his club to the Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League title.

Head coach Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Connor is a player who gives us another layer of leadership and his recent success with his club only adds to that, we’re proud to have him as our captain for these three fixtures.

“Our purpose is to support our players in exploring in their competitive opportunities and give them the tools to excel as England players as they have for their academies.”

The third edition of the tournament, which sees Portugal and Georgia incorporated for the first time, starts on Saturday with each side playing three 70-minute matches across the week.

Eight Premiership Rugby academies, as well as the RFU-centralised academies of London & South Central, Midlands Central and Midlands West, are represented in the makeup of the squad. There are eight uncapped players – Exeter Chiefs’ Israel Akinrowo, Olly Allport and Jonno Balding of Gloucester Rugby, Tyler Offiah (London & South Central), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens) and Harlequins trio Elliot Williams, Felix Bateman-Champain and Ollie Streeter.

ENGLAND U18 MEN’S SQUAD

Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton), Israel Akinrowo (Exeter), Olly Allport (Gloucester), Jonno Balding (Gloucester), Felix Bateman-Champain (Harlequins), Lucas Friday (Harlequins), Sam Graham (Newcastle), Dan Green (Sale), Patrick Hogg (Newcastle), Seb Kelly (Sale), George Knowles (Midlands West), Nick Lilley (Exeter), James Linegar (Bath), Josh Mann (Exeter), Jamie Miller (Harlequins), Finn Newton (Saracens), Tyler Offiah (London & South Central), George Pearson (Midlands Central), Fraser Rawlins (Saracens), Solomon Shand (Gloucester), Jimmy Staples (Harlequins), Ollie Streeter (Harlequins), Connor Treacey (c) (Bath), Jonny Weimann (Northampton), Elliot Williams (Harlequins), Rafe Witheat (Northampton),

ENGLAND U18 FESTIVAL FIXTURES Saturday March 30

England v Wales (17:45)

Wednesday April 3

Scotland v England (13:15)

Sunday April 7

England v Georgia (15:30)