Whitgift School’s three England U18 heroes had a well-earned night off training this Monday.

But, otherwise, there is little rest for Marland Yarde, Elliot Daly and George Merrick, who starred in a 33-16 international victory over France at Newbury last Sunday.

This Saturday they face RGS High Wycombe in the semi-finals of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Cup at Broadstreet, with a Twickenham final at stake.

Yarde scored five tries in the 58-7 quarter-final defeat of Bishop’s Stortford High School and followed that with two of England’s tries last weekend, but he was quick to play down his own role.

“It was a very tough game and we had to dig very deep against all their big lads,” he said.

“In the second half we kept working hard and the guys on the outside like me got good bal,l but it's all down to the work of your teammates.

"We want to play exciting rugby and that is ideal if you're a winger.

It is all about playing with pace and energy and to wear the Rose with pride."

Daly also scored a try against the French while Whitgift coach Chris Wilkins was part of a group from Danny Cipriani’s old school, including fellow coaches Adrian Norris and Ross Munro and headmaster Dr Christopher Barrett, who cheered the trio on last weekend.

"It was great to support them, and Marland's been putting the ball over the line for us all season,” said Wilkins.

“But the main thing for us is to recognise the players who have been winning good and quick ball to enable him to do its.

"There are plenty of players in our squad who do not have the same representative honours but who are just as important to Whitgift.

"We trained twice in half term and will do so again this week before going up to Broadstreet on Friday to familiarise ourselves with the ground.

“We watched RGS High Wycombe in their quarter final and it will be another step up for us.

"We want to improve in every match. We have targets in winning quick ball, tackling, defence and converting try-scoring opportunities and if we hit those targets we feel the results will take care of themselves."