England Students vs. Portugal Starting XV Announcement

England Students will face Portugal on Saturday 24th of January in the University Stadium of Lisbon, kicking off at 6pm.

Freddie Clarke of Bath University will captain the 23-man squad, of which 17 will receive their first cap for England Students. The number 8 was capped for the first time in the same fixture last year, which saw England Students secure a 30-16 win. Clarke also captained the England Students Development side in 2014 against Welsh Academical’s.

Exeter University’s Rob Coote has been selected as Vice Captain. This will be the scrum half’s third cap against Portugal.

“The boys have worked hard on the training pitch and have bonded together very well,” Head Coach Aaron James said.

Assistant Coach Ian Davies added: “The players’ attitude and application have been first rate and we are now looking forward to translate that into a good team performance on Saturday evening.”

1. Lovejoy Chawatama        UWE
2. Callum O'Connell            Hartpury
3. Alex Westgarth            Northumbria University
4. Joe Dancer            UWE
5. Duncan Hales            Exeter University
6. George Messum            Oxford University
7. Sebastian Nagle-Taylor        University College London
8. Freddie Clarke (C)            Bath University

9. Rob Coote                Exeter University
10. Will Cargill            Leeds Beckett
11. Jack Rossiter            St Mary's University
12. George Boulton            Hartpury
13. Lewis Jones            Leeds Beckett
14. Alex O'Meara            Hartpury
15. Alex Brown            Hartpury

16. Philip Dickinson            Loughborough University
17. Piers Goodwill            Newcastle University
18. Alec Clarey            Hartpury
19. Morgan Eames            Bishop Burton
20. Buchan Richardson        Durham University
21. Tom Banks            Newcastle University
22. Freddie Gabbitas        Exeter University
23. Luke Peters            Leeds Beckett