Ethan Grayson will make his third appearance for England in the Under-18 International Series from the bench, with the Red Rose taking on South Africa Schools on Saturday.
England lost their opener to Argentina but beat France 29-25 in their second match and Grayson, younger brother of current first-team player James, will be hoping to end the campaign on a high at Hugenote High (Wellington) against the tournament hosts.
Head coach Jim Mallinder said: “Ending the tour against the hosts is a really nice way to finish and I’m sure it will be a great experience for the players.
“South Africa are unbeaten which makes it even more of a test for us and the players are excited to take them on.
“Whenever you play a South African team it is always a very physical challenge. They have some big carriers, the forwards like to get around the corner and they test you defensively so it’s going to be a really tough encounter for the players but one they are relishing.
“We feel we’ve advanced over the past week or so, technically and tactically we have improved as a team, and the players have really bonded off the field. This third game will allow us to see how far we’ve come.”
England men XV to face South Africa Schools
15. Oliver Melville – Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School)
14. Matthew Ward – Newcastle Falcons (Gosforth Academy)
13. Will Joseph – London Irish (Millfield School)
12. Louis Hillman-Cooper – Gloucester Rugby (Cheltenham College)
11. Alex Harmes – London Irish (St Pauls College)
10. Orlando Bailey – Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
9. Sam Edwards – Leicester Tigers (Brooksby Melton College)
1. Phil Brantingham – Newcastle Falcons (RGS Newcastle)
2. John Stewart – Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
3. Fin Baxter – Harlequins (Wellington College)
4. Freddie Thomas – Gloucester Rugby (Dean Close School)
5. Ethan Staddon - Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
6. Emeka Ilione (captain) – Leicester Tigers (Rugby School)
7. Harry Taylor - Gloucester Rugby (Clifton College)
8. Kit Smith – Leicester Tigers (Oakham School)
Replacements
16. Tarek Haffar – London Irish (St Pauls College)
17. Joe Keohane – London Irish (St Pauls College)
18. Ewan Richards – Bath Rugby (Millfield School)
19. Daniel Eckersley – Wasps (Bloxham School)
20. Will Trenholm – Harlequins (Cranleigh School)
21. Sam Bryan – Saracens (Felsted School)
22. Ethan Grayson – Northampton Saints (Northampton School for Boys)
23. Michael Dykes – London Irish (St Pauls College)
24. Oscar Beard – Harlequins (Cranleigh School)
25. Charlie Atkinson – Wasps (Abingdon School)
U18 International Series fixtures (all times BST)
Friday August 9 2019 – Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
England U18 19-29 Argentina U18
Tuesday August 13 2019 – Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
England U18 29-25 France U18
Saturday August 17 2019 – Hugenote High, Wellington
11h00 SA Schools A vs Argentina U18
12h30 France U18 vs Wales U18
14h00 SA Schools vs England U18
