FIVE Kirkham Grammar School players are in the England Under-18 Rugby Union squad which flew out to Canada last weekend.

During a six-week, nine-game tour of Cananda, New Zealand and Australia the squad will be involved in two test matches against New Zealand and Australia.

The Kirkham GS players are hooker Andrew Kyriacou, prop Alexander Loney, lock Matthew Parr, centre Warren Spragg and scrum half Richard Wigglesworth.

It's the first England Under-18 tour since 1997 when some of the current England senior players, like Wilkinson, Balshaw, Borthwick, Tindall and Flatman, started their international careers.

Said tour manager Clem Lee: "This tour is an important part of the development process of elite players in this country and the opportunity of touring New Zealand and Australia will help us identify potential in what will be a very tough playing environment."