Henley Hawks head coach Pete Davies insists age will be to maintain standards no barrier for selection after teenage fly half Theo Brophy Clews joined the National League 1 club.
Abingdon School pupil Brophy Clews, 18, will be dual registered with parent club London Irish, along with centre Johnny Williams.
The pair join scrum half and fellow Exiles academy player Connor Murphy in the Hawks squad.
Brophy Clews, who is currently sitting his A Levels, is Irish’s youngest try scorer after going over against Llanelli Scarlets in the LV=Cup in January and has captained England at under 18 level.
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Davies said the half back is not in the squad just to make up the numbers.
“If they are good enough they are old enough,” he said.
“When he comes to us in pre-season he will be given opportunities to impress.
“If he is playing the best he will get the spot – it is very simple.”
He continued: “We have got a nine, ten and 12 trio from London Irish.
“There is a reason why we have got them as a three because London Irish want them playing rugby and hopefully they will get plenty of opportunities.”
Former Wasps Academy lock Seb Cecil and Loughborough Students’ centre Jack Bradford have also joined.
Hawks will travel to Wales to face Bedwas on August 15 for their first pre-season friendly.
Davies’s side also welcome Welsh champions Pontypridd to Dry Leas on August 22, before hosting the RAF five days later.
Meanwhiule, South West 1 East side Grove have appointed Stephen Chadbone as director of rugby.
Chadbone will work closely with head coach Craig Burrows, focusing on player recruitment and the structure of the club’s senior teams.
The decision was announced at the south Oxfordshire side’s annual general meeting on Wednesday
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