The London & South East Under 18 selectors have included 8 Hertfordshire players amongst the 41 players named for a Divisional trial at Thurrock RFC on Sunday November 23rd.

The players were graded in the recent inter-county matches that were all attended by divisional selectors and at least one national selector or representative.

Sunday morning at Thurrock will be spent explaining the Under 18 player pathway nationally and in London & South East, followed by a physiotherapy assessment and unit work among forwards and backs.

After lunch the players will form two teams for a controlled trial match of three periods of 20 minutes.

A development squad will then be named to meet at Thurrock the following Sunday (November 30) as preparations continue for the Divisional Festival at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry on January 2-4, 2009.

For the first time a London & South East team will take on a London Academies XV - drawn from the England Rugby Academies at Harlequins, London Irish, London Wasps and Saracens - in a practice match on Sunday December 21.

The London & South East coaches remain unchanged from last season: Simon Morgan (Hampshire), Alan Reid (Surrey) and Rod Jermy (Middlesex).

The Hertfordshire Players taking part are:

Declan Caulfield Bishop's Stortford HS & Bishop's Stortford RFC

Jamie Hearne Oaklands College & Saracens Amateurs RFC

Thomas Metcalfe Berkhamsted Collegiate & Fullerians RFC

Matthew Sinderberry Merchant Taylor's & Fullerians RFC

Michael Singleton St George's Harpenden &Harpenden RFC

James Speirs Roundwood Park & Harpenden RFC

Matthew Steele Dame Alice Owen & Cheshunt RFC

Andrew Stredwick Dame Alice Owen & Saracens Amateurs RFC