England U19s pathway performance coach Jim Mallinder has named his side to face Wales U19s on Sunday 7 April at Morganstone Brewery Field, home of Bridgend RFC (kick off, 2pm, live on S4C).

The team includes five players capped at U20 level, with hooker Alfie Barbeary, number 8 Rusiate Tuima, centres Jack Reeves as well as full back Josh Hodge all named in the starting XV.

Elsewhere, props Cal Ford and Bevan Rodd, lock Will Montgomery, fly-half Will Haydon-Wood, wing Jacob Morris and Harry Barlow were all capped by England U18s last season.

Several other members of the squad, who are among the replacements, toured South Africa in August for the Aon International Series with England U18s which marked the beginning of the pathway calendar.

They include prop James Whitcombe, number 8 Jack Clement, scrum half Raffi Quirk, fly half Tom Curtis and wing Josh Gillespie.

Lock Hugh Tizard, flanker Izaiha Moore-Aiono and scrum half Jonny Law will make their age-grade debuts for England on Sunday, while flanker Freddie Lockwood could do likewise as a finisher.

The development fixture is a continuation of England’s U18s programme which began with a three-game tour to South Africa, before U18s matches against Scotland and France earlier in March. England will also host the 2019 U18 Six Nations festival later in April at Hartpury College and University.

The U18s are led by pathway performance coaches Mallinder and Steve Bates, alongside consultant coaches Mark Luffman, Sean Marsden and Jonathan Fisher. U20 coach James Scaysbrook, who is part of the coach development programme agreement between England Rugby and Premiership Rugby, will take charge of defence on Sunday.

Jim Mallinder said:

“This fixture gives us a really good opportunity to see a number of players who have either not played too much U20 rugby during the Six Nations or our U18 players with September birthdays who are too old for the U18 Six Nations Festival and will be pushing to get into the U20 Elite Player Squad next season.

“We have some really good individuals in the squad and the challenge is to use the limited time we have in training to come together on Sunday and play well, enjoy ourselves as well as look like a cohesive team.

“Whenever you see an England-Wales match at any level there is always that fierce rivalry and we know Sunday will be no different. Wales are well-organised at age-grade level and we know it will be a real challenge for this group but it is one we’re looking forward to.”

England U19s

Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons); 14. Louis Lynagh (Harlequins),13. Harry Barlow (Harlequins), 12. Jack Reeves Gloucester Rugby, 11. Jacob Morris (Gloucester Rugby); 10. Will Haydon-Wood (Newcastle Falcons), 9. (Jonny Law Leicester Tigers); 1. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), 2. Alfie Barbeary (Wasps), 3. Cal Ford (Sale Sharks); 4. Will Montgomery (Newcastle Falcons), 5. Hugh Tizard (Harlequins); 6. Joe Howard (Gloucester Rugby) 7. Izaiha Moore-Aiono (London Irish), 8. Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements

Ben Atkins (London Irish), 17. Zac Nearchou (Wasps), 18. James Whitcombe (Leicester Tigers), 19. Freddie Lockwood (Newcastle Falcons), 20. Jack Clement (Gloucester Rugby), 21. Raphael Quirke (Sale Sharks), 22. Tom Curtis (Sale Sharks), 23. Josh Gillespie (Northampton Saints)

England U18/19s fixtures

Wales U19 v England U19

Sunday 7 April, K0 2pm GMT

Bridgend RFC: for club details click - here

Tickets can only be bought on the gate: £5 adults, £1 U16s.

U18 Six Nations Festival fixtures

Matchday one - Saturday 13 April

KO       Gillman’s Ground, Gloucester

12:00    England v Wales, 14:30    Ireland v France, 17:00    Scotland v Italy

Matchday two - Wednesday 17 April

KO       Sixways Stadium, Worcester

11:00    France v Italy, 13:30    Ireland v England, 16:00    Wales v Scotland

Matchday three - Sunday 21 April

KO       Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

11:00    Scotland v Ireland, 13.30    England v France, 16:00    Italy v Wales

England U19s team to play Wales U19s

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