Under-18s head coach Will Parkin has named an extended squad to take on Bath this weekend, with Northampton Saints heading to Oxford Harlequins on Saturday (4 February, kick-off: 12.15pm).
As the Premiership Rugby U18s League takes a break from matches, Saints lock horns with Bath in a friendly fixture to keep momentum high ahead of the last regular league clash at Newcastle Falcons in a week’s time.
Northampton claimed a 31-29 win over Midlands Central Academy at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to stay top of the Northern Conference last time out, and will be aiming to keep their unbeaten record in 2023 at Oxford.
Head coach Parkin said: “We’ve had a really strong few weeks as a group and have got some positive results out of it. The desire to stay in the fight for the win against Midlands Central was very pleasing to see and something we’re challenging the lads to take into this weekend and next week against Newcastle.
“After Saturday, we only have two matches left with this group and while we’d all love to be in the fight for silverware again this year, it’s important for us to end this season with a positive set of actions. The lads have shown some excellent development so far and we want to keep those standards high as the season draws to a close.
“It's also a great opportunity for a number of lads that have limited Under-18s game time, as well as first chance for a number of our Under-17s to play their first match at this level. Development is at the forefront of our programme and this is another opportunity for our players to push themselves against a strong Bath side to keep getting better.
“Bath are a very good side, who sit third in the Southern Conference at the moment, and will provide a tough contest for us. But we’re excited about facing an opposition that we don’t get to play that regularly. And while we want to keep the momentum building ahead of our last regular league game, I am really excited to see the boys out there and enjoying pulling a Saints shirt on.
“Our thanks must go to Oxford Harlequins for providing a neutral venue at the halfway point for us and Bath, and we must also say thank you to our friends at Bath for working with us to get this extra fixture added to the calendar and give both teams more valuable minutes on the pitch.”
BATH RUGBY U18s vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS U18s
Club Friendly
Oxford Harlequins
Saturday 4 February, 2023
Kick-off: 12.15pm
First Half
15 Ben Radnor
14 Will Cotterill
13 Ben Agebnu
12 Billy Pasco (c)
11 Billy Reid
10 Tom Addison
9 Tom Jenkins
1 Tom Dye
2 Robert Gaffan
3 Sonny Tonga’uiha
4 Luca Wakeling-Salami
5 Réon Gilbert-Joseph
6 Oscar Lile
7 Rhys Harries
8 Billy White
Second Half
15 Will Brock
14 Ben Agebnu
13 Jacob Willmott
12 Oscar Bennett
11 Logan McCabe
10 Max Allman-Ward
9 Jonny Weimann
1 Oliver Scola
2 Yujian Zou
3 Dave Bennett
4 Dani Meijers
5 Ashton Webb
6 Lucas Nisbett-Hadaway (c)
7 Kieran Perkins
8 Alfie Hoyles
