Falcons pair starting for England U18s

Wednesday 03 April 2024 Written by: Mark Smith

Newcastle Falcons forwards Patrick Hogg and Sam Graham both start for England Under-18s on Sunday when they face Georgia Under-18s.

The Six Nations Festival fixture in the Italian city of Parma kicks off at 2.30pm UK time.

Blaydon RFC and Durham School player Hogg (right of picture) packs down on the blind-side flank, with Durham City RFC and Durham School prop Graham starting on the tight-head side.

The game is being streamed for free on the Six Nations U20 Youtube channel, which is available by clicking here.

England are unbeaten in the tournament after defeating Wales (36-35) and Scotland (28-6) in their opening two games, with Hogg captaining the side in the latter of the fixtures.

Georgia sprung arguably the surprise of the tournament in the last round, defeating France.

England Under-18s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Georgia and Portugal have been welcome additions to the tournament, already proving their worth with impressive performances, and the importance of collective development at this level can’t be understated. We’re relishing the challenge ahead this weekend.

“The coaches and I have been thoroughly impressed with the headstrong mentality and brotherhood of our team, it’s been a really pleasing aspect of the last week and has been fostered through a strong work ethic and willing to learn.

“It bodes well for the future of our men’s pathway system in years to come.”

ENGLAND UNDER-18S TEAM

15 Dan Green (Sale Sharks, St Ambrose School, Bowdon RUFC)

14 Tyler Offiah (London & South Central, Wellington College, Ealing Trailfinders)

13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Ivybridge RFC)

12 Israel Akinrowo (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Devenport Services RFC)

11 Rafe Witheat (Northampton Saints, Stowe School, Ampthill RUFC)

10 James Linegar (Bath Rugby, Kingswood School, Chippenham RFC)

9 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School, Bromley RFC)

1 Josh Mann (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College, Penzance & Newlyn RFC)

2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins, Seaford School, Worthing Rugby Club)

3 Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Durham City Rugby Football Club)

4 Elliot Williams (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, London Irish Amateur RFC)

5 Jonno Balding (Gloucester Rugby, Radley College, Overton RFC)

6 Patrick Hogg (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School, Blaydon Rugby Club)

7 Seb Kelly (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar, Rochdale RUFC)

8 Connor Treacey (captain – Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff, New Milton RFC)

Replacements

16 George Knowles (Midlands West, Hereford Cathedral School, Ledbury Rugby Club)

17 Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School, Battersea Ironsides Rugby Club)

18 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins, Gordon’s School, Haywards Heath RFC)

19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Bedford Blues RFC)

20 Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College, Aylesbury RFC)

21 Olly Allport (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close College, Stow-on-the-wold & District RFC)

22 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints, Bedford School, Royston Rugby Club)

23 Felix Bateman-Champain (Harlequins, Worth School, East Grinstead RFC)

24 Fraser Rawlins (Saracens, Haileybury, Saracens)

25 Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury, Hertford RFC)

26 George Pearson (Midlands Central, City of Oxford College, Buckingham RUFC)