DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 120057--------------------------------------------------
England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:01 am
---------------------------------------------------------
ENGLAND A: SQUAD PACKED WITH YOUNG PREMIERSHIP TALENT NAMED FOR
PORTUGAL FIXTURE
A 27-man England A squad has been announced as the side prepares
to take on Portugal at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium
on 25 February.
HTML https://www.premiershiprugby.com/content/england-a-squad-named-for-portugal-fixture
The squad features a blend of experience and youth, with five
players already capped at senior international level and an
array of younger stars who have made a big impact in the
Gallagher Premiership this season.
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Tom
Pearson (Northampton Saints), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears) and
Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers) make up the quintet who
have already represented the senior side.
The squad was selected by England senior men’s head coach Steve
Borthwick in consultation with Gloucester Rugby head coach
George Skivington who is taking charge of the England A side,
and defence coach Dom Waldouck (Gloucester Rugby), attack coach
Sam Vesty (Northampton Saints) and RFU Executive Director of
Performance Rugby Conor O’Shea.
The squad will assemble at Loughborough University next Tuesday
(20 February) to begin preparations for the fixture later that
week, where they will in addition be joined by some players
currently training with the senior squad.
England head coach, Steve Borthwick, said:
“We’re delighted to see the return of A Team rugby as such an
important part of our rugby’s development and to announce the
squad for the forthcoming fixture against Portugal.
“We have got a lot of talented and exciting young players in
England, and this is a great opportunity for them to show they
can play international rugby. We have selected players in this
initial squad who we believe have the potential to be in the
England team in the very near future.
“One of the very important aspects of this A Team is to provide
a platform for players who have come out of the U20s and who are
playing club rugby, allowing them to experience the
international environment.
“It’s great to have the fixture at the Leicester Tigers’
stadium. It's an area where the supporters know and love their
rugby. I have no doubt the players will revel in the support
they will get from the stands.”
Tickets to England A’s match-up with Portugal this February are
available to purchase here. 
England Men’s A Squad for Portugal:
Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 7 caps)
Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints)
Sam Riley (Harlequins)
Seb Blake (Gloucester Rugby)
Josh Iosefa Scott (Exeter Chiefs)
James Harper (Sale Sharks)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks)
Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Jack Clement (Gloucester Rugby)
Backs
Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers)
Oliver Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
Oliver Hartley (Saracens)
Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Harris (Bath Rugby)
#Post#: 120058--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Twickersman
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
How is Will Evans not in theis squad. Crazy
#Post#: 120059--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: poorfour
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:18 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I like the look of that squad - genuinely comprised of players
who you would want to make the step up to senior level within
this cycle, with a few who offer a bit of experience. Definitely
not a consolation prize for not getting in the main squad, but a
stepping stone to being ready.
#Post#: 120060--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: poorfour
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:22 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Twickersman link ---
>
> How is Will Evans not in theis squad. Crazy
>
--- End Quote ---
It's pretty clear that Evans is seen as lacking something that
the England coaches want their flankers to have - most probably
the heft to be able to play 6 as well as 7. England don't tend
to pick out and out specialists in the back row these days.
The A squad is about players they want and expect to be able to
make the step up, and WEv unfortunately isn't seen that way.
Personally, I'd like to see him tried at the higher level to see
if, like Neil Back, what he can offer outweighs what he can't,
but you can understand why the coaches select the way they do
given the range of back row talent available.
#Post#: 120061--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:24 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Don't see much point in taking Isiekwe.
#Post#: 120062--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: poorfour
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> Don't see much point in taking Isiekwe.
>
--- End Quote ---
He's a conundrum. Physically, he has all the characteristics to
be a like for like replacement for Lawes, but he lacks the rugby
nous and I suspect it's unlikely he'll develop it.
#Post#: 120063--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Nico Wilson
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:30 am
---------------------------------------------------------
FINALLY the return of a 2nd string squad to allow some
succession planning/selection for the main squad. Well done
Borthwick.
#Post#: 120064--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: West Stand Quin
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Surprised Beard wasn’t released to the squad like Blamire &
Pearson have been.
Was expecting to see Will Joseph in it and possibly Will Porter.
I don’t think Will Evans is what Borthwick wants in the back row
size wise (although I’d definitely have in him in, Tommy Reffell
consistently shows for Wales the benefit of a proper ‘fetcher’)
#Post#: 120065--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: February 15, 2024, 4:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Happy with that. Arthur Clark seems thought of. Couldn't we have
sent Lewies back to Kingsholm instead of him?
#Post#: 120066--------------------------------------------------
Re: England A Squad announced...
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: February 15, 2024, 5:05 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Nico Wilson link ---
>
> FINALLY the return of a 2nd string squad to allow some
succession planning/selection for the main squad. Well done
Borthwick.
>
--- End Quote ---
The problem has been that for years there haven't been any real
opposition to play against for the A Team. At least now that
more emphasis is being pushed onto the Rugby Championship Europe
competitions, some of the Tier 2/3 sides will want to get time
playing against teams like England A to help develop their
ambitions.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 9
DIR Next Page