The 26-player squad will compete in Dublin from 8-16 April.

Pendlebury’s squad gained valuable international experience during friendly matches played in March, including an encouraging win over Wales men’s U18 at Swansea last weekend and a close game against France men’s U18 the week previous.

England finished last year’s Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival undefeated, winning their three matches.

At the 2023 festival, men’s teams will play three standalone 70-minute fixtures, with every player looking to start at least one game with rolling substitutions throughout to ensure the best development opportunity for the athletes across the festival.

Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival fixtures:

– England v France – Saturday, 8 April – KO 17:30
– Italy v England – Wednesday, 12 April – KO 15:15
– Ireland v England – Sunday, 16 April – KO 16:30

Fans will be able to watch every fixture live via the Six Nations Rugby digital channels.

England’s player pathway programme is a vital development tool for future international rugby and the Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival is a key part of that.

Speaking of the squad announcement, Pendlebury said: “We’re very excited about the opportunity for the lads to play in the Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival, a prestigious tournament that emulates the international environment they hope to one day play in as part of the senior England team.

“We’ve had a pair of great hit-outs in March against Wales and France, two games that tested them and gave them invaluable experience and competition in their development journey this season. Some of the squad that took part in these fixtures are still eligible and able to take these experiences further into the Six Nations Festival in Dublin.

“This a special selection, and one the players can share with their families, schools, junior and community rugby clubs, and academies that helped put them in the frame to be selected.”

**England’s Under-18 Men’s Six Nations Festival squad**

Toby Baker (Academy: Yorkshire Academy, School: St Peters School, uncapped)

Oscar Beckerleg (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, uncapped)

Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)

Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School, uncapped)

Tom Burrow (Yorkshire Academy, Heckmondwike GS, 5 caps)

Conor Byrne (Harlequins, Trinity School, 8 caps)

Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, 2 caps)

Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, uncapped)

Charlie Griffin (London Irish, Harrow School, uncapped)

Junior Kpoku (Saracens, Finborough School, 1 cap)

Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton, uncapped)

Reuben Logan (Midlands Central, Berkhamsted School, 2 caps)

Ned McCormack (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove, uncapped)

Ralph McEachran (London Irish, Bishop Wand, 2 caps)

Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 5 caps)

Charlie Myall (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, uncapped)

**Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle School, 4 caps)**

Will Owen (Midlands West, Ellesmere College, 3 caps)

Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, 5 caps)

Tye Raymont (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton College, 2 caps)

**Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School, 5 caps)**

Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, 5 caps)

Tom Threlfall (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham High School, 1 cap)

George Timmins (Bath Rugby, Millfield, uncapped)

Louie Trevett (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, 5 caps)

Kepueli Tuipulotu (London Irish, Harrow School, 2 caps)