Academy coach Will Parkin has named his first matchday squad of the 2022/23 season, as Northampton Saints Under-18s get their campaign underway against Leicester Tigers on Friday.
Making the trip to their Midlands rivals first up, the young Saints will play six Premiership Rugby U18 Academy League matches – three home and three away – before Finals Day takes place in February.
And after topping the Northern Conference to reach last term’s Final, Parkin insists his side are raring to go this term and relishing the chance to get started with an East Midlands Derby.
“Playing Leicester is always an exciting prospect, at whatever level,” said Parkin.
“It’s always a tough match but we’re looking forward to seeing the lads get an opportunity. With Toby Cousins, Archie McParland and Henry Pollock away with England, we have eight Under-17s in the squad this week and this will be a really good experience for them.
“A number of the lads experienced playing for the Under-18s last year, with Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway, Aiden Kabi and Ewan Barker all having featured in the Final. I know they will have learned a lot from their experiences across the season and I hope they will lead the way for us during this campaign, giving the younger players stepping up the chance to develop.
“Thanks, as ever, must go to the lads’ parents, schools and clubs for all their support in developing these young players on and off the pitch. I’m looking forward to seeing what this group can achieve.”
LEICESTER TIGERS U18s vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s
Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League
Friday 19 August 2022
Oval Park
Kick-off: 2pm
15 Ewan Baker (c)
14 Ben Randor
13 Harry Simpson
12 Oscar Bennett
11 Rafe Witheat
10 Max Allman-Ward
9 Seb Henry
1 Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway
2 Sol Moody
3 Sonny Tonga’uigha
4 Réon Gilbert-Joseph
5 Aiden Kabi
6 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave
7 Kieran Perkins
8 Henri Burditt
Replacements:
16 Yujian Zou
17 Oliver Scola
18 David Bennett
19 Albert Dmitriev
20 Tom Ross
21 Rory Hollis
22 Jacob Willmott
23 Logan McCabe
