The son of 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, has been named to start at fullback for England U18s tomorrow. England take on France U18s in their opening match in the 2023 International Series, with the action going down in South Africa.
Jack Bracken has been penned in for the number 15 jersey, with Head Coach Jonathan Pendulbury announcing his squad earlier today. Jack becomes the second of Kyran’s three sons to play for England’s age group sides, after his big brother and Saracens prospect Charlie.
Jack Bracken is looking to once again score against France, as marked his step up to England U18s with a try against Les Bleus in the latest U18s Six Nations. Kepueli Tuipulotu captains the side at hooker, and looks to build on his hot form after scoring three tries in the 2023 U18 Six Nations. Loosehead Will Conduit and tightead Billy Sela join him in the front row.
Junior Kpoku and Olamide Sodeke start in the locks, with Ronan Daniell, Charlie West and Solomon Shand starting across the back three. Lucas Friday leads the line at scrum half, with a partnership alongside Ollie Davis making up the half-back combination. Toby Baker and Nick Lilley are selected in the centres, with a back three of Charlie Griffin, Angus Hall and Jack Bracken.
Alfie Longstaff, Jamie Miller, Sam Graham, Tayo Adegbemile, Connor Treacey, Jack Lightbown, Dom Hanson, Louie Platt, Toby Wilson, Finlay Wiseman and Finn Newton make up Jonthan Pendlebury’s replacements for the clash against France.
Following on from this week’s action, the squad face Western Province U18 XV on Tuesday 15 August (12:00 BST kick-off) and conclude their tour against hosts South Africa next Saturday (19th, 14:00 BST kick-off).
You can watch the match through the SuperSport School website, which requires a free account to sign up and watch live. Speaking to the England Rugby website, Head Coach Pendlebury praised his side’s preparations ahead of the battles with Les Blues and the Springboks.
“We’re all really excited to be in South Africa over the next week or so, these games will be a brilliant test for this young group.
“The lads have trained very hard and have given their all on the paddock thus far, that’s down to their commitment as well as the input from the coaching staff as a group.
“This group has welcomed a lot of new players to a smaller core with previous experience at this level, they have set their own targets and expectations. “Now is the time for them to go and explore.”
ENGLAND U18 MEN SQUAD TO FACE FRANCE
1. Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College, ACE)
2. Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow School)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
4. Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough School)
5. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar School)
6. Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College)
7. Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans School)
8. Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College)
9. Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity School)
10. Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar)
11. Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow School)
12. Toby Baker (Yorkshire Academy, St. Peters School)
13. Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College)
14. Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge)
15. Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans School)
Replacements:
16. Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove)
17. Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift School)
18. Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham School)
19. Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans School)
20. Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff)
21. Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton)
22. Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar)
23. Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s)
24. Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield)
25. Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton School)
26. Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury)