Boyland and Capon earn England U18s call-ups

Hooker Will Capon (BGS) and scrum half Blake Boyland (SGS) are included in John Fletcher's 42-man squad.

Bristol U18s captain Capon - who has signed a long-term professional contract with the club ahead of the 2018/19 season - is one of six players named that toured South Africa with England U18s in August 2017.

Livewire scrum half Boyland - who has also represented the Academy U18s this season - earns his first call-up to the England U18s squad.

England U18s will open their season against France at Stade Jean Rolland, in Digne-les-Bains on 3 March (KO 3pm local time, 2pm GMT).

Fixtures against Scotland on 18 March at Stirling County RFC (KO 12pm) and Wales on 25 March at Sardis Road, Pontypridd (KO 4.15pm) then follow before the ‘Six Nations Festival’.

Based in Wales, England U18s will play Scotland at Ystrad Mynach (31 March), Italy at Cardiff Arms Park (4 April) and France at the same venue on 8 April. Kick off times are to be confirmed.

Head coach Fletcher said: “We’ve coached and assessed players in our pre-Christmas camps as well as watching the seven rounds of U18 academy games, and have come up with a group of exciting young players.

“Along with their regional academies we want to support them with their individual development and expose them to an international environment, which we will be doing over the next six games. Everyone will get an opportunity to play a significant role in the games."