Three Harlequins players have been selected in a 26-man England U18 squad for this season's Six Nations Festival.

Joe Marler, of Richmond College, Joe Trayfoot, of Epsom College, and Cranleigh's Sam Smith join the cream of the nation's young rugby talent, who will be coached by Alex Sanderson, a former England U18 representative, and his assistant Geoff Richards, who played for Australia and coached the England women's team from 2000 to 2007, a term that included back-to-back Six Nations grand slams and two Rugby World Cup finals.

Sanderson said: "I am delighted to have been able to select this squad. All these players have proved they deserve their chance to represent their country at U18s level. There is no easy route into this squad so I am confident that we have a very talented group of players who can compete in a tough season ahead of us.

"All of these lads have been at the top of their game at schools level, but now they have to make the step up and prove that they are capable of playing international rugby, and as a former Under 18s players myself, I know what a challenge and honour that is.

"So far we have had four trial games and we have won each one and scored an average of four tries a game, so I think we are in a strong position ahead of our first game against Wales and our Six Nations Festival campaign in Cork."

Six Nations fixturesMarch 2 (3pm): England U18s v Wales, Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium March 26 (5pm): England U18s v Italy, Temple Hill CorkMarch 29 (2.30pm): England U18s v France, Highfield RFC CorkApril 1 (2.30pm): England U18s v Scotland, Musgrave Park CorkTickets for the England U18s v Wales match at the Sixways Stadium cost £10 for adults (£12 on the day) and £5 for juniors (£6 on the day). They are available from the Ticket Office or at wrfc.co.uk