Exeter Chiefs shine in England call-ups

Six Exeter Chiefs Academy players have been selected for England’s U17 development camp as head coach Jonathan Pendlebury and assistant coach Will Parkin finalise their 57-man squad.

The camp, hosted at St. George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent, will see two separate squads assemble over the weekend before the U17 team reconvenes at Hartpury College on Thursday, May 8, for a four-day camp.

Among the young talents from the Chiefs Academy called up are forwards Alfie Johns, Tyler Knightley, Mawgan Talling, and Harry Westlake, as well as backs Charlie Bosanko and Will Pidwell. The players will have the chance to impress as England begin preparations for their summer tour to South Africa.

Parkin said: “This weekend offers a window for our staff to integrate some new faces into our pathway. These camps are all about player development, and we’re eager to see how they respond to a new environment.”

The programme includes intensive training sessions, strength and conditioning work, and a fixture against Hartpury in May.

Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs Women’s stars Maddie Feaunati, Claudia MacDonald, and Flo Robinson have been named in England’s Red Roses squad for their second training camp of the year.

Head coach John Mitchell has selected a 42-player squad for the Bristol-based camp, which forms part of preparations for the upcoming Guinness Women’s Six Nations. New call-ups Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells, Sarah Parry, and Millie David join the squad for the first time.

Mitchell said: “The objective of this camp is to become organised and get better ahead of the Six Nations. We’re expecting an excited energy as we reconnect and prepare for the opportunity this special tournament presents.”

The Red Roses will be without players involved in the Premiership Women’s Rugby final, who will rejoin the squad ahead of their opening Six Nations match against Italy.

The official England Women’s Six Nations squad will be announced on Monday, March 17.