Twenty-eight players, many of whom represented the USA U18s at the Freedom Cup event in February, have been selected for the tour.

The U18s will spend most of their time at a Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Lincolnshire, team building and enhancing core skills in preparation for matches against top quality opposition from three English academies.

The squad kicks off its tour against the Bedford Blues Academy on March 29, meets the Northampton Junior Saints Academy (JSA) - who recently defeated an England U18 side - on April 1, and wraps up the tour at Doncaster on April 5.

The team heads into the tour with a number of short and long-term objectives. In the short-term, the coaching goal is to heighten the athletes’ rugby skills and test their progress with exposure to teams from a leading rugby nation. The longer term objective is to continue the U18’s all around rugby development - highlighted by the experience of playing at major stadiums such as Franklin’s Gardens, home of the Northampton Saints.

“Gaining exposure in environments where rugby is strong is a major step for many of these young Eagles. It will give them some of the many skills they need to one day wear the Senior Eagles jersey,” USA U18 head coach Stuart Low said. “The U18 squad is a strong unit and is excited about the trip - the UK clubs are primed and need to prepare for the Eagles’ landing!”

The U18s chosen for the England tour include:
Forwards - Josh Alden (Woodlands), Tim Barford (Atlanta), Louis Baugier (Fairfield Prep), Andres Diaz (St. Thomas), Cameron Dolan (Naples Rugby Club), Adam Howland (Westside), Daniel Ibarra (Hong Kong), Kevin Kimble (New Rochelle H.S.), Jordan Maitland (Gonzaga), Mick Newkumet (Gonzaga), Wade Reynolds (Tacoma), Nick Roach (Katy), Hunter Simmons (LA Cougars), and Andy Stevick (Midwest)

Backs – Sam Anderson (Central High RFC), Johnson Bademosi (Gonzaga), Jared Braun (Peninsula Green), Kyle Caravelli (Fairfield Prep), Curtis Chaffin (Katy), Dustin Croy (Eastern Rockies), Casey Cummings (Kansas City), Brad Harrington (San Diego Mustangs), Josh Heckman (Iowa), Brian Hussey (Trojans), Jeff Levasseur (Charlotte Catholic), Brett Thompson (Arizona), Pat Van Horn (Blackhearts), and Collin Yip (Middlesex)

U18 staff includes:
Head coach - Stuart Low
Assistant coaches - Mike Diamantopoulos, Coilin Jones
Physio - Kristen Douhan