Doherty gets England U19’s call up.

Connor Doherty gets selected for England U19’s squad after great U20’s campaign experience.

Connor Doherty of England U20 poses for a headshot during a Development Camp at Bisham Abbey – Rogan/JMP – 06/01/2019 – Bisham Abbey – Marlow, England.

Sale FC Rugby and Sale Sharks are delighted to announce that Connor Doherty has been selected by the England coaching staff to play in the U19’s side that will face Wales in a one off test match against Wales U19’s at the Morganstone Brewery Field, home of Bridgend RFC on Sunday 7th April.

The game is a continuation of the current U18’s programme, that saw England play against Scotland and France over the last month, as well as a follow up to their tour of South Africa last August.

Alongside Connor who played in the England U20’s Six Nations campaign, there are also call ups for Alfie Barbeary (Wasps), Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs), Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons), Samson Ma’asi (Northampton Saints), Sam Maunder (Exeter Chiefs), Rusiame Tuima (Exeter Chiefs) and Jack Reeves (Gloucester Rugby).

Additionally in this squad Connor is also joined by Sharks Academy team mates Tom Curtis (England U18’s), Cal Ford, Bevan Rodd (Uncapped Member of current U20’s squad).

Speaking ahead of the game and the current U18’s programme England Player Pathway Coach Jim Mallinder said “Among other things, the fixture gives us an opportunity to look at a particular group of players who have not yet fully transitioned into the U20s Elite Player Squad,”

He went on to add “It gives us progression through the season which started with the summer development tour, where we took a young U18 squad to South Africa before our two U18 fixtures for our 1 September and 1 January birthday age groups before this U19s fixture.”

“Whichever England team you take to Wales it is always a tough fixture and it is a challenge the players should embrace.” said Mallinder.

The U18’s Player Pathway programme is led by Performance Coaches Steve Bates and Jim Mallinder, who are supported by the Consultant Coaching team of Mark Luffman, Sean Marsden and Jonathan Fisher.

Upon hearing the news of Connor’s selection for the England U19’s squad President James Hourihan said “We at Sale FC Rugby are immensely proud of Connor and the work he has put in over the last couple of seasons, which has then led to him receiving the recognition for England U19’s and U20’s this season that he rightly deserves. I hope that the younger players at the club will see what Connor has done, and then take inspiration from this to go on from there. Once again congratulations to Connor and good luck on Sunday!”

The full squad for the game against Wales which is being shown on S4C 2pm on Sunday 7th April is as follows:

Alfie Barbeary – Wasps (Bloxham School), Harry Barlow – Harlequins, Richard Capstick – Exeter Chiefs, Jack Clement – Gloucester Rugby (Cheltenham College), Tom Curtis – Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School), Connor Doherty – Sale Sharks, Cal Ford – Sale Sharks, Will Haydon-Wood – Newcastle Falcons (Sedbergh School), Josh Hodge – Newcastle Falcons, Joe Howard – Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College), Jonny Law – Leicester Tigers (Rugby School), Louis Lynagh – Harlequins (Hampton School), Samson Ma’asi – Northampton Saints, Sam Maunder – Exeter Chiefs, Will Montgomery – Newcastle Falcons, Izaiha Moore-Aiono – London Irish, Jacob Morris – Gloucester Rugby, Zac Nearchou – Wasps (Radley College), Jack Reeves – Gloucester Rugby, Bevan Rodd – Sale Sharks, Hugh Tizard – Harlequins, Rus Tuima – Exeter Chiefs, James Whitcombe – Leicester Tigers (Woodhouse Grove).