Newcastle Red Bulls’ Ajay Edwards, Nathan Rickerby and Alfie Warwick have all been named in the squads confirmed by the England Men’s Pathway for their annual front five and U18s backs development camps, hosted at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

Nathan Rickerby will join the front five camp, whilst Edwards and Warwick will take part in day two of the backs specialist camp.

The three-day meeting in Berkshire commences this Friday and will be led by an aligned coaching staff from across the men’s pathway, including newly appointed Head of Men’s Player Pathways, Mark Mapletoft, and U20 Men’s assistant coach Kevin Sorrell.

Each camp’s programme is designed to specialise in specific technique and skillset refinement to some of the most promising players in the pathway.

This weekend is the third edition of the front five camp led by U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and U20 Men’s head coach Andy Titterrell, and second instalment of the U18 backs specialist camp headed up by Will Parkin, U18 Men’s assistant coach.

Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls), Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints), Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints), James Townsend (Leicester Tigers) and Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby) all return for their second backs specialist camp, each of whom played a part in England’s three wins from three in the 2025 U18 Six Nations.

England U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury said: “This camp offers the opportunity to some of the most exciting talent in England to progress and explore their capabilities with the benefit of coaching from across the pathway.  

“This weekend is an important touchpoint for all involved in the men’s pathway as we continue to align our goals and detailed approach to a fresh campaign. Supporting our players in exploring their core specialist skills will see them benefit when playing future England pathway and senior teams. 

“As always, we pride ourselves on our thorough level of support to these young players and this camp will be no different, with expertise from across the England men’s and PREM Rugby academy set-up.” 

“We’re delighted to continue our specialist backs programme this year, welcoming some new and familiar faces into camp with us,” added Will Parkin.  

“With the input of all pathway coaches, we have refined our schedule with an engaging programme to elevate the players’ boundaries and skillsets under a shared attacking framework. 

“The likes of Noah Caluori and Asa Stewart-Harris have progressed from our 2024 specialist camp to tour with the U20 Men’s team this summer. Having more capped U18 internationals involved is testament to their hard work and commitment in their performances as an England international, and we hope to see them continue with this season.” 

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2025 Men’s Pathway front five camp squad (includes academy and school/college/university) 

Diamond Ayiehfor (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School) 
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College) 
Ben Beadle (Saracens, Sedbergh School) 
Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School) 
Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College) 
Tom Dargan (Saracens, Harrow School) 
Josh De Waal (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards Oxford) 
Will Dorrell (Gloucester Rugby, King’s School Worcester) 
Charlie Evered (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter University) 
Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar) 
Jeremy Keys (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College) 
Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School) 
Kajetan Lewandowski (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College) 
James Moore (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School) 
Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School) 
Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester Rugby, Dean Close School) 
Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys)  
Nathan Rickerby (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy) 
Teddy Smith-Milne (Gloucester Rugby, Clifton College) 
Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School) 
Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Grammar School at Leeds) 
Casper Wheeler (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College) 
Ben Woodmansey (Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates) 
Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead) 
Harry Wright (Gloucester Rugby)

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2025 Men’s Pathway U18 backs specialist camp squads (includes academy and school/college/university) 

Day 1 (Friday 26th – Saturday 27th PM) 

James Alcock (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College) 
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School) 
Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College) 
Eli de Venecia (Saracens, Harrow School) 
Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School) 
Max Hooper (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School) 
Will Lane (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College) 
Ollie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Oxford College) 
Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys) 
Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School) 
James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School) 
Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School) 
Caylen Umaga (Yorkshire Academy, Bishop Burton) 

Day 2 (Saturday 27th PM – Sunday 28th) 

Stanley Amor (Harlequins, Hampton School) 
Sam Bunch (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff) 
Junior Denny (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School) 
Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School) 
Lewis Jalal (Yorkshire Academy, Harrogate Grammar School) 
Austin Keogh (Sale Sharks, Macclesfield Campus) 
Hardy Linnell (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School) 
Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School) 
Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman) 
Alfie Warwick (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy) 
Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School) 
Jack Woods (Northampton Saints, Impington International College)