Three members of the Leicester Tigers Academy are included in an England Under-18 squad for the game against France on Saturday.
This is the first overseas international in the age-group since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
Head coach Jonathan Pendlebury includes Tigers trio Finn Carnduff, George Loose and Joseph Woodward, who all played in the club’s Under-18 league play-off win over Harlequins on Sunday.
After naming the 23-strong squad, Pendlebury said: “It feels like a real milestone to be playing internationals again at this level. Players have missed out a lot on opportunities to play competitively against other nations over the past two years, so we’re delighted to be heading to France this week.
“We’ve got a wide squad that has worked together through development camps this season. They have been regularly playing age-group rugby for school, college, club and academy this season and I know they are all relishing the chance to represent England.”
The game takes place at Stade Eugene Rossi, Saint-Raphael on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3.30pm UK time.
There is also a fixture against Wales at Taunton on March 20 before the Six Nations Festival in France next month which features games against Wales, Scotland and Italy, and an under-19s international in Italy later in the season.
England Under-18 Squad
Ollie Allan (London Irish, Bishop Wand School)
Caleb Ashworth (Harlequins, Gordon’s School)
Finn Carnduff (Leicester Tigers, Leicester Grammar School)
Ethan Clarke (Harlequins, Worthing College)
Luke Coulston (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Oakham School)
Harvey Cuckson (Worcester Warriors, Ellesmere College)
Jack Doorey-Palmer (Harlequins, Worthing College)
Ben Douglas (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
Max Eke (Saracens, St George’s Harpenden)
Will Gildersen (Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham College)
Nathan Greenwood (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
Jimmy Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Colston’s School)
Sam Harris (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)
James Isaacs (Saracens, Berkhamsted School)
George Loose (Leicester Tigers, Langley School)
Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Sutton Valence)
Jonny Smith (Harlequins, Brighton College)
Nick Tarr (Northampton Saints, Mark Rutherford School)
Charlie Wardle (Sale Sharks, Altrincham Grammar)
Tristan Woodman (Sale Sharks, AKS Lytham)
Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby Melton College)
Sam Worsley (Bristol Bears, Clifton College)
