Batson to start third consecutive England U18 match

Ollie Batson has been named to start for England U18 against a Springbok U18 side this weekend.

This marks the Chiefs academy player's third consecutive start for the international age-grade side.

Head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin have selected their England squad to face South Africa in the 2025 U18 International Series.

Paarl Gimnasium hosts the Matchday 3 clash this Saturday, kicking-off at 14:30 BST. All International Series fixtures will be streamed live on SuperSport Schools.

Pendlebury has named Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby) as captain against the South Africa Schools side after previously leading his country against Georgia on Matchday 1 and then scoring against France.

Harlequins’ Henry Laidlow maintains his place in the starting XV and is partnered with Leicester Tigers’ Kwame Bekoe in the engine room, one of six changes to the pack from Tuesday’s meeting against France.

James Townsend (Leicester Tigers) and Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints) are recalled as the selected half-back partnership. Shields’ clubmate Charlie Tamani and Laidlow start their fourth consecutive England U18 Men’s fixture this Saturday.

Junior Denny of Gloucester Rugby misses out through injury with management electing for a 25-player matchday squad.

Jonathan Pendlebury said: “Whilst results have been disappointing, our collective development over the past two weeks remains the most important aspect of these age group tours, especially when our players are the school age group below.

“We recognise the areas we need to improve and have taken ownership ahead of a massive encounter on Saturday. It will be their biggest challenge yet as age group players, and no better opportunity to get better than to play South Africa away from home.

“Our final Test against our hosts will demand the highest performance from our playing and staff group – increased competition and new environments drive development for us all.

“Our intention is to always get better and better and we endeavour to seize the opportunity this weekend.”

England U18

15 Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School, Peterlee and Horden Rugby Club and Durham City, 3 caps)

14 Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School, Bromsgrove Rugby Club, 2 caps)

13 Ollie Batson (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter School, Exmouth RFC, 2 caps)

12 Declan Treacey (c) (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, New Milton Rugby Club, 5 caps)

11 Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School, Bury St. Edmunds RUFC, 6 caps)

10 Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, Old Northamptonians RFC, 5 caps)

9 James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, Harbury RFC, 4 caps)

1 Oliver Spencer (Sale Sharks, Grammar School at Leeds, Harrogate RUFC, 6 caps)

2 Casper Wheeler (Bristol Bears, Hartpury College, Winscombe RFC, 2 caps)

3 Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, Winnington Park Rugby Club, 3 caps)

4 Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, Norwich Rugby Club, 2 caps)

5 Henry Laidlow (Harlequins, Trinity School, Twickenham RFC, 6 caps)

6 Henry Horsfall (Gloucester Rugby, Kings Worcester, Clee Hill RUFC, 2 caps)

7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, Ashby RFC, 4 caps)

8 Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, Preston Grasshoppers RFC, 4 caps)

Replacements

16 Marcus Southwell (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School, Market Harborough RFC, 2 caps)

17 Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, Olney RFC, 3 caps)

18 Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, Stamford Rugby, 2 caps)

19 Freddie Jones (Saracens, Sutton Valence School, Tunbridge Wells RFC, 2 caps)

20 Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, Stockport Rugby Club, 2 caps)

21 AJ Henry (Saracens, Mill Hill, Dartford Valley Rugby Club, 2 caps)

22 Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, Selby RUFC, 2 caps)

23 Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, Barkers Butts RFC, 6 caps)

24 Will Payton (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, Silhillians Rugby Club, 2 cap)

25 Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, Banbury Rugby Club, 1 cap)