Imagine the weight of a rugby legend's legacy resting on your shoulders as you step onto the field. That's the reality for Henry Johnson, son of England's iconic Martin Johnson, who has just secured a spot in the England U18 Men’s squad. But here's where it gets intriguing: is rugby talent truly hereditary, or is young Johnson carving his own path? This question lingers as the 43-player squad, announced by head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin, prepares for a pivotal three-day camp at Pennyhill Park in late January. The camp isn’t just a training session—it’s a bridge, connecting age-grade players to the senior professional environment as England ramps up for the 2026 U18 Six Nations Festival in April. And this is the part most people miss: this isn’t just about skill development; it’s about fostering the mental toughness needed to thrive under pressure.
Among the squad, familiar names like Charlie Bray, Henry Johnson, Zac Jones, and Aiden Reid return, while newcomers Georgia Faosiliva, Archie Guyver, and Oli Hewitt earn their first call-ups. Controversially, some might argue that the inclusion of Johnson—son of a World Cup-winning captain—raises questions about merit versus legacy. Is he here because of his talent, or because of his surname? We’ll let his performance on the field speak for itself. Meanwhile, Bray and Reid are among 17 previously capped players, bringing experience to the table.
The journey doesn’t stop at Pennyhill Park. After the PREM Next Gen Academy League and the RFU ACE Boys League wrap up, the squad reconvenes on February 25th, gearing up for a preparation fixture against France at Chinnor RFC on March 14th (14:00 GMT). But here’s the real question: Can this squad live up to the expectations set by England’s rugby legends? Or will they forge a new legacy entirely?
For those eager to stay in the loop, RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel (https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbYd2l05pp1bM_Ix/) delivers the latest rugby news straight to your phone. Below is the full squad list, divided into forwards and backs, with academy, school/college affiliations, and caps noted. Take a look and let us know—who do you think will be the breakout star of this talented group?
Forwards:
Seva Batikora (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, 2 caps), Kwame Bekoe (Leicester Tigers, Norwich School, 3 caps), Charlie Bray (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, 4 caps), Fin Charles (Leicester Tigers, Denstone College, uncapped), Tom Dargan (Saracens, Harrow School, uncapped), Josh De Waal (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped), Tiane Elone (Saracens, Mill Hill School, uncapped), Georgia Faosiliva (Bath Rugby, Hartpury College, uncapped), Jordan Ikeh (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar, 3 caps), Henry Johnson (Leicester Tigers, Oakham School, uncapped), Freddie Jones (Saracens, Sutton Valence School, 2 caps), Ben Koolen (Gloucester Rugby, Bloxham School, uncapped), Kajetan Lewandowski (Leicester Tigers, Brooksby College, uncapped), Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps), Euan Oakes (Newcastle Red Bulls, Gosforth Academy, uncapped), Lawrence Ogbonnaya (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar School, 3 caps), Aiden Reid (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 3 caps), Charles Rotimi (Saracens, Campion School, uncapped), Teddy Smith-Milne (Gloucester Rugby, Clifton College, uncapped), Mawgan Talling (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped), George Tonga’uhia (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Harry Westlake (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge Community College, uncapped), Ellis Woolrych (Harlequins, St John’s School Leatherhead, uncapped).
Backs:
Will Bayston (Sale Sharks, Sedbergh School, 2 caps), Charlie Bosanko (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped), Ajay Edwards (Newcastle Red Bulls, Durham School, 3 caps), Sonny Goode (Northampton Saints, Bloxham School, 2 caps), Archie Guyver (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, uncapped), Oli Hewitt (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School, uncapped), Max Hooper (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, uncapped), Zac Jones (Saracens, Mill Hill, uncapped), Samuel Marshall (Harlequins, Whitgift School, uncapped), Will Moore (Bristol Bears, Clifton College, uncapped), Ollie Myall (Leicester Tigers, Oxford College, uncapped), Caspar Reeves (Bristol Bears, Taunton School, uncapped), Hugh Shields (Northampton Saints, Northampton School for Boys, 5 caps), Oscar Talbot (Leicester Tigers, Rugby School, 6 caps), Charlie Tamani (Northampton Saints, Finborough School, 7 caps), James Townsend (Leicester Tigers, Warwick School, 6 caps), Declan Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff School, 7 caps), Jack Tyler (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman, uncapped), Kai Wilkinson (Gloucester Rugby, St Edwards School Oxford, uncapped), Krystof Wood (Gloucester Rugby, Bromsgrove School, 2 caps).
Poll: Who do you think will be the standout player in this squad? Let us know in the comments!
Editor’s Picks:
- Jamie George now co-owns a pub with other England sporting legends (https://www.ruck.co.uk/jamie-george-now-co-owns-a-pub-with-other-england-sporting-legends/)
- Ardie Savea could still swap nations despite Scott Robertson sacking (https://www.ruck.co.uk/ardie-savea-could-still-swap-nations-despite-scott-robertson-sacking/)
- 2026 Six Nations goes behind paywall for the first time next month (https://www.ruck.co.uk/2026-six-nations-goes-behind-paywall-for-the-first-time-next-month/)
- The longest bans in rugby history (Ranked 10-1) (https://www.ruck.co.uk/the-longest-bans-in-rugby-history-ranked-10-1/)
