WORCESTER Warriors hooker George Thomas has been called up by England Under 18s for the Home Unions Tournament in Gloucestershire.

The Bromsgrove Sch-ool student, who also plays for Luctonians, was due to travel to Italy next month with a second England Under 18 squad for the AER European Championship but has now replaced Joe Gray of Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire.

Gray has been ruled out of the Home Unions Tournament having dislocated a knee-cap playing a match for Nottingham earlier this month.

Thomas, the son of former Leicester and Ebbw Vale hooker Dave, made his debut for the Home Unions squad in their 24-8 victory over Scotland Under 18 'A' at Murrayfield last weekend.

He damaged a shoulder in that game but is expected to be fit for the final warm-up match against Loughborough University Freshers on Sunday.