England winger makes surprise return after expressing desire to play for Wales

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by Rugby Rucker

Thursday, 13 February 2025 at 09:45

byRugby Rucker

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England A squad announced for Ireland clash – with one player eyeing a shock switch to Wales

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

England A have named a 25-man squad ahead of their showdown with Ireland A at Ashton Gate on Sunday, February 23 (13:00 GMT).

After a dominant 38-17 victory over Australia A last November, the second-string England side will be looking to build momentum, with a mix of experienced names and rising stars included in the squad.

Senior stars add firepower

Four players in the squad have already earned senior England caps, including Leicester Tigers duo Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet, as well as Northampton Saints' Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson.

A dozen players in the squad have already represented England A in their 2024 fixtures against Portugal or Australia A, while 21 of the 25 players boast caps at age-grade level in the England Rugby Men’s Pathway.

New boss at the helm

Bath Rugby’s Lee Blackett has been named head coach for the fixture, stepping up from his previous role. He’ll be joined by Exeter Chiefs' Haydn Thomas (defence coach), Red Roses' Louis Deacon (forwards coach), and Northampton Saints' Matt Ferguson (scrum coach).

Blackett was clearly relishing the challenge, saying:

“It’s an honour to be a part of this team once again, even more so having now been trusted to lead it. The talent we have at our disposal is a real indication of the strength of the Premiership right now.”

Hassell-Collins eyes Wales switch?

One of the biggest talking points is Leicester Tigers winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, who has made it clear that if England don’t come calling soon, he’s open to switching allegiance to Wales.

Despite earning two caps in the 2023 Six Nations, Hassell-Collins has been left out in the cold by Steve Borthwick. With Welsh ancestry on his side, he’ll be eligible for Warren Gatland’s squad by 2026 – and the Wales boss has already hinted he’d welcome him with open arms.

Speaking about his future, Hassell-Collins admitted:

“I have seen Gatland’s interview. I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years, then it’s definitely something I would consider.”

England A squad to face Ireland A

Forwards

Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby)
Phil Brantingham (Saracens)
Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Luke Green (Northampton Saints)
Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints)
Jack Kenningham (Harlequins)
George Kloska (Bristol Bears)
Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints)
Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Hugh Tizard (Saracens)

Backs

Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby)
Will Butt (Bath Rugby)
Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby)
Will Porter (Harlequins)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)

England A coaching staff for Ireland A fixture

Lee Blackett – Head Coach and Attack Coach
Haydn Thomas – Defence Coach
Louis Deacon – Forwards Coach

Six England stars who could switch nations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup

Under the revised rules, players can represent a new nation if they’ve gone three years without a Test cap and have a qualifying birthright through a parent or grandparent.

While some players have hinted at potential switches, others are already positioning themselves for a move. Here are six England stars who could pull on a different jersey in 2027.

Ollie Hassell-Collins – From the Rose to the Dragon?

Ollie Hassell-Collins has made it clear—if England don’t come calling soon, he’s open to switching to Wales.

The Leicester Tigers winger, capped twice by England in the 2023 Six Nations, has been frozen out under Steve Borthwick. But with Welsh ancestry on his side, he’ll qualify for Warren Gatland’s squad in early 2026.

Gatland himself has already hinted he’d welcome Hassell-Collins into the Welsh camp, and the speedster hasn’t ruled it out either.

"I have seen Gatland’s interview. I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years then it’s definitely something that I would consider."

With Wales on the hunt for attacking firepower, a switch to the valleys could be on the cards.

Dan Kelly – From the Red Rose to the Shamrock

Dan Kelly’s move to Munster has changed everything.

The 23-year-old centre, who earned his lone England cap in 2021, is heading to Ireland next season—setting himself up perfectly for a potential Test career under Andy Farrell.

Kelly previously played for Ireland U20s alongside Jack Crowley and Tom Ahern, and with his eligibility kicking in by 2024, he could be in green well before the next World Cup.

Born in Manchester but qualifying through his grandparents, Kelly’s path mirrors that of James Lowe and Bundee Aki—both key figures in Ireland’s setup.

Manu Tuilagi – Finally Following His Family?

The youngest Tuilagi brother might finally be joining the family tradition.

Manu Tuilagi—named after the Samoan national team—has long been the odd one out, as his brothers all opted to play for Manu Samoa instead of the European nations they lived in.

With his England career winding down, the 32-year-old powerhouse is eyeing a 2027 World Cup swansong in blue.

"England is very special to me, but my heart and home is still Samoa. I'd love to pull on the blue jersey one day."

Set to turn 35 by 2027, time isn’t on his side, but if there’s one man who can still bulldoze defenders well into his mid-30s, it’s Tuilagi.

Billy Vunipola – A Wallaby Wildcard or a Tongan Tank?

Billy Vunipola playing for the Wallabies? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.

Born in Sydney before moving to the UK as a child, Vunipola qualifies to represent Australia under World Rugby’s eligibility rules. And with Eddie Jones previously hinting at a potential switch, the door is open for a return down under.

Alternatively, he could follow in his father’s footsteps and turn out for Tonga—where his powerful ball-carrying would be a game-changer for the Pacific Islanders.

Currently playing in France, Vunipola would be eligible for a switch in 2026. With 75 England caps to his name, he’d bring serious experience to either side.

Nathan Hughes – Ready to Fly with the Fijians?

Nathan Hughes isn’t just open to a Fiji switch—he’s actively considering it.

The former England No.8, who last played Test rugby in 2019, is now based in Japan but has publicly stated his desire to wear the white jersey of Fiji.

"Yes, 100 per cent."

Hughes, who earned 22 caps for England under Eddie Jones, would be available for Fiji immediately. Given the Flying Fijians’ growing reputation on the world stage, he’d be a massive addition to their squad.

Zach Mercer – The All Black Alternative

Zach Mercer in black? It’s a possibility.

The talented No.8 qualifies for the All Blacks through his father, former New Zealand rugby league international Gary Mercer.

Currently starring for Gloucester, Mercer has yet to feature in England’s Test plans under Steve Borthwick. But if his international career remains on ice, he could explore a route into Ian Foster’s setup before 2027.

UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

With eligibility rules allowing selections through ancestry, residency, or other pathways, squads feature a fascinating mix of homegrown stars and those who developed their skills elsewhere before qualifying for their adopted countries.

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.