As England U19s flew off to Dubai and the IRB U19 World Championship today National Academy & England U19 coaches Nigel Redman and Damian McGrath were looking forward to taking their squad onto the next level and the rugby world stage.
efore they boarded the flight, Redman commented, "It has been an enjoyable Six Nations and the players have developed well through the tournament.
"We are now into the third stage of our season and hoping that the work done prior to and during our Six Nations campaign will come good. We also see this as a time to develop further this young squad of players, who can't wait to get out there and get started."
Based on their fourth place position last season in Durban, England have been seeded in Division A, Pool D, together with France and Samoa. On Wednesday 5th April they take on Ireland U19, followed by Argentina U19 on Sunday 9th April and current world champions South Africa U19 on Thursday 13th April. The semi finals are on Monday 17th April and the final on Friday 21st April. The England v Ireland, England v South Africa match, semis and final will be screened live on Sky.
Said Sale Sharks No 8 David Tait, who is studying history at Manchester University but still started in four of the England U19s' five international matches this season, "It's very exciting to have this chance and we are honoured to be representing our country at this level. We have all worked hard to earn our places and are grateful to Nigel and Damian for helping us develop as players and for the support we have had from all our clubs through the season."
BACKS
Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs & SWERA)
Danny Care (Leeds Tykes)
Daniel Cipriani (London Wasps & Whitgift School)
Oliver Dodge (Leicester Tigers)
David Doherty (Leeds Tykes)
Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes)
Selorm Kuadey (Sale Sharks)
Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors)
Adam Powell (Saracens)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
Jordan Turner-Hall (NEC Harlequins)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)FORWARDS
Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby & Bristol University)
Charlie Beech (Northampton Saints)
Daniel Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Hugo Ellis (London Wasps & St Benedict's School)
Iain Grieve (Bristol Rugby)
Sam McDonald (Worcester Warriors)
Ross McMillan (Nottingham)
Tom Mercey (Saracens)
Matthew Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
Jordan Page (Leeds Tykes)
Andy Saull (Saracens & Bancroft's School)
Alex Shaw (Leicester Tigers)
David Tait (Sale Sharks)
Ben Thomas (Saracens & Haileybury College)