Head coach Mark Mapletoft has named his England A squad to face the All Blacks XV at the Recreation Ground, Bath, on Saturday 8 November (kick-off 13:15, live on Premier Sports 1).
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Leadership & Squad News
Ethan Roots will captain England A this weekend following Joe Batley and his partner welcoming their second child. Batley will join the squad on Thursday ahead of the fixture.
At home in front of the Bath crowd, Max Ojomoh has been handed the vice-captaincy. In the engine room, Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints) will start alongside Batley in the second row.
The matchday 23 also features several potential England A debuts: Fitz Harding, Kepu Tuipulotu, Vilikesa Sela, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White and Adam Radwan.
Selection Process
The squad and matchday 23 were named through a cooperative process involving Mapletoft, senior men’s head coach Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.
Mapletoft said:
“Everyone’s buy-in this week has been second-to-none. The squad and staff have been adaptable and prepared excellently in our unique turnaround. Building togetherness has been key, and I believe we have achieved that.
“Our aim is to create an environment where players can learn to win and increase that window for development. This All Blacks XV side will test our players in a high-pressure international arena.
“This fixture is a challenge for our team but also a prime opportunity for everyone to push on for senior honours. We want them to step up and take their shot this Saturday.”
England A team vs All Blacks XV
Starting XV
- Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
- Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
- Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
- Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
- Joe Batley (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
- Ethan Roots (c) (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)
- Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
- Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
- Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
- Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
- Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
- Max Ojomoh (vc) (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
- Angus Hall (Saracens, uncapped)
- Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)
- Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Replacements
16. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
17. Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
18. Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
19. Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
20. Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
21. Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
22. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
23. Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
16. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
17. Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
18. Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
19. Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
20. Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
21. Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
22. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
23. Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
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