The 23 player squad was selected following a national development weekend at Stourbridge RFC which saw players gather for several days of coaching and selection.

The squad will gather on 18th April at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth to prepare for two fixtures in Dublin against Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools.

The first match will take place on Wednesday, 24 April followed by the second game on Saturday, 27 April.

Last year England Counties won two thrilling encounters against their Irish counterparts, winning the first match 15-13 before backing that up with a 32-29 victory.

However the last time the side toured Ireland in 2017 Ireland won both fixtures.

Head coach Giles Heagerty will once again take charge of the squad in what will be his eighth and final year involved with the programme.

He will be supported by assistant coach Matt Hutchings with Andrew Rickard in the role of assistant team manager.

"Every year i'm incredibly impressed by the skill level on show at our national development weekend and this year was no different," said Penberthy.

"The selected players have done exceptionally well and they should all be incredibly proud of reaching this stage.

"Pulling on the white shirt at any level is a great honour and i'm sure the players are aware of that."

Penberthy says the team will travel to Ireland with confidence following last year's results but isn't underestimating what he expects to be two very tough fixtures.

"We know Ireland will be very strong and so our job is to create an environment that our players can thrive in."

England Counties U18 - 2019 squad
BAILEY Jacob - Stoke-On-Trent RFC - Denstone College - Staffordshire
BEER Louis - Kettering RFC - Moulton College - East Mids
BLOOMER Thomas - Winchester RFC - Churcher's College - Hampshire
BROWN Josh Syston - RFC Brooksby - Melton College - Leicestershire
BROWN Max - Watford Grammar School for Boys - Hertfordshire
BULLOCK Maxwell - Medway RFC - Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School - Kent
BURNS Mathew - Ivybridge RFC Ivybridge Community College - Devon
CHANCE Joel - Bromley RFC - Hayes School - Kent
CHAPMAN Ben - Crowborough RFC - The Skinners' School - Sussex
CHESSUM Oliver - Kesteven RFC - Carres Grammar School - NLD
FARRANCE Beau - Old Elthamians RFC - Hayes School - Kent
GOODWIN Jack - Hereford RFC - Hartpury College - North Mids
HARDING-TERRY William - Worksop College - NLD
HEANEY Alessandro - London Irish RFC - Wellington College - Berkshire
KENDRICK Louis - Hertford RFC - Richard Hale School - Hertfordshire
MCPHUN Elliot - Saracens Amatuer RFC - Oaklands College - Middlesex
NORWOOD Tyler - KCS Old Boys RFC - Caterham School - Surrey
OLIVER Harry - Macclesfield RFC - Wilmslow High School - Cheshire
PEARCE-COWLEY - Ethan St Austell RFC - Truro College - Cornwall
SCOTT Charles - Maidenhead RFC - The Henley College - Berkshire
SMITH William - Ripon RFC - Queen Elizabeth's Sixth Form - Yorkshire
TOOKE Sebastian - Kingsbridge RFC - Plymouth College - Devon
WALKER Fergus - Newbury RFC - Millfield School - Berkshire

Source:
https://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-counties-u18-name-squad-for-ireland/