THE best of Cornish college rugby will be representing England for the fourth time at one of the most prestigious Under 18 rugby tournaments in the world.

The Truro College Rugby Academy team will be leaving for Japan on Monday (April 25) to compete at the Sanix Youth Rugby Championships in Fukuoka.

The tournament is made up of 16 teams who are champions of their country. Australia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Tonga, Canada, Fiji, Korea, Chinese Tapei, France and Russia have all competed along with the Japanese teams.

In 2010 Truro competed for the first time, making the final, before losing to Hamilton Boys High School from New Zealand. Members of the Truro squad that year included current England Internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell.

2012 saw Truro College again make the final, losing to the champions of New Zealand, Kelston Boys High School. Members of the Truro squad that year included Tom Hendrickson and Max Bodilly, who have both played for Exeter Chiefs, with Max also playing Premiership and European games.

In 2015 Truro faced one of the best teams and eventual winners of the tournament Paul Roos from South Africa and finally finished the tournament in 4th place.

This year is another huge challenge for the squad with six games in 12 days against the best under 18s players in the world. Truro will be opening the tournament for the first time this year when they play Saga Technical High School from Japan. The trip is a fantastic experience for all involved on and off the field, with excursions to Nagasaki where they will visit the site where the Atomic Bomb exploded during World War 2.

Team manager Steve Larkins said: “The whole trip is a fantastic opportunity for all involved to experience the culture of Japan combined with a quality rugby tournament.”

Coach Marek Churcher added: “The quality of opposition in every game is of the highest level with the Japanese teams improving year on year.”

Trips of this magnitude require parent and sponsorship support and thanks must go to all of them, especially Samurai Sports Clothing, Miller Countrywide, Carbis Bay Holidays and The Windsor Tie Company who have all helped with Japan 2016.