ENGLAND Under-18s have called North Midlands scrum-half Joel Dudley into their squad for the international against Japan High Schools at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields Stadium tomorrow (2.30pm).

Dudley, of Bromsgrove Sch-ool and Worcester Warriors has been brought into the squad to replace Chris Cook (Millfield School, Bath and Somerset) who turned an ankle playing for his school in a sevens tournament last weekend.

Dudley is the fourth North Midlands player in the squad joining his Bromsgrove School and Worcester Warriors team-mates Louis Padian and Chris Fox, both props, and number eight Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form College and Worcester Warriors).

Cook will travel to Plymouth for assessment by England’s medical staff to determine whether he is likely to recover to take his place in the squad for the AER (Association Europeenne de Rugby) Tournament in France next month. England’s opening game there is against Georgia on April 5.

Lock Kieran Low (Havant College, Chichester and Suss-ex) will also be assessed by England’s medical staff over the weekend.

Low was ruled out of the Japan match earlier this week having suffered a chipped bone in a hand sustained playing in the win over Northamp-ton Saints Academy.

Low’s place in the squad against Japan has been taken by Tom Hicks (Sedbergh Sch-ool, Newcastle Falcons and Cumbria).

England’s side to face Japan will is set to be announced shortly.