Head coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed the England Men’s A team to take on Spain at the Estadio Jose Zurrillo this Saturday (16:00 GMT kick-off). A week on from his first representative appearance for England, Bristol Bears back-row forward Fitz Harding will captain the England Men’s A side against Los Leones.
Nathan Jibulu, Olamide Sodeke and Nathan Michelow earn their first England A appearances in Valladolid, with first starts also awarded to Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, George Hendy, Caolan Englefield, Ben Bamber and captain Fitz Harding.
Joe Owen, Ewan Richards, Joseph Woodward and Ben Redshaw could also make their England A bows this weekend if utilised from the replacements bench.
Nineteen of the selected matchday 23 squad have progressed from the England Rugby Men’s Pathway, with caps for the U18 Men’s or U20 Men’s sides.
The selection of the wider squad and matchday 23 is a cooperative approach made in consultation with head coach Mark Mapletoft and determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.
Mapletoft will be joined by fellow England Rugby pathway coaches Nathan Catt (Scrum Coach) and U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury this week, with further support from by James Lightfoot Brown (Attack Coach), Adam Powell (Defence Coach), James Craig (Forwards Coach).
England Men’s A vs. Spain will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV this Saturday.
“Our result in Bath has given us many learnings to take into a fresh challenge in Spain,” Mark Mapletoft said.
“Fitz [Harding] has made an impact with his leadership qualities in camp and has led by example throughout the last few days; it’s a privilege to have him lead our team onto the field this week.”
“Having the opportunity to play rugby in Spain is a rare honour and an opportunity our young group are eager to seize. We’re thankful to Pablo Bouza and his team and look forward to creating an exciting contest in Valladolid.”
England Men’s A matchday squad to face Spain (includes current club, community club and senior caps)
15 Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs,)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens)
13 Angus Hall (Saracens)
12 Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks)
11 George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby)
1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints)
2 Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks)
3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens)
5 Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks)
6 Nathan Michelow (Saracens)
7 Fitz Harding (c) (Bristol Bears)
8 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Replacements
16 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby)
17 Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers)
18 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby)
19 Joe Owen (Bristol Bears)
20 Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby)
21 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
22 Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
23 Ben Redshaw (Gloucester Rugby)
England Men’s A confirmed 2025/26 fixtures
Saturday 8th November 2025 – England A 14-31 All Blacks XV – The Recreation Ground, Bath, 13:15 GMT kick-off
Saturday 15th November 2025 – Spain vs. England A – Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid, 16:00 GMT kick-off
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