Congratulations to three players from the Hertfordshire Under 16 squad. After coming through the divisional selection process, Owen Farrell, Jamie George and Jake Sharp have been picked for the England squad to play in the inaugural Under 16 Four Nations tournament.

A squad of 26 players will compete against France, Italy and Wales in early April. It’s worth highlighting that there are three Herts players in that squad of 26 – that’s from a total of 28 county teams! Owen (who plays for Harpenden RFC and St George’s School), Jamie (Hertford and Haileybury) and Jake (Saracens and Sheredes) were part of the Under 15 team who went on to win the National 10-a-side Festival. They have progressed well this season to catch the eye of the national selectors.

Disappointingly for the lads, the tournament has been shifted from Italy to the exotic locations of … Dudley Kingswinford, Stourbridge and Castlecroft in the Midlands! Ah well – a cap’s a cap, so let’s hope they get their reward in April.