Six Saints are set to represent Northampton on the international stage, as England A name their 25-man squad for the upcoming clash with Ireland A at Ashton Gate.
Tarek Haffar, Curtis Langdon, Luke Green, Tom Lockett, Tom Pearson and George Hendy will all head to Bristol next week when the squad convene at Bristol Bears High Performance Centre, ahead of the clash on Sunday 23 February (kick-off: 1pm).
The camp will mark a first involvement for prop Green, lock Lockett and fullback Hendy at this level, with the young Saints having all represented their country at Under-20s previously alongside playing in the Gallagher Premiership.
Club teammates prop Haffar, hooker Langdon and back row Pearson make their return to the England A set-up after featuring for the side in recent years.
The Saints group will be joined by club coach Matt Ferguson in camp, who was named in the side’s coaching staff as scrum coach earlier this week.
England A head coach, Lee Blackett said: “It’s an honour to be a part of this team once again, even more so having now been trusted to lead it. I’m privileged to be surrounded by a fantastic coaching and support staff from the RFU and Premiership Rugby clubs, and we’re all keen to work with this exciting group of players.
“The players we have at our disposal is a real indication of the breadth of talent within the Premiership currently. A healthy proportion of the team have experience with the Men’s A team and are motivated to seize the opportunity whilst representing their country.
“With Haydn [Thomas] and I previously involved in the setup last November, we want to continue to develop a collaborative and supportive environment alongside Louis [Deacon] and Matt [Ferguson].”
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 Men A coaching staff for Ireland A fixture
- Lee Blackett – Head Coach and Attack Coach (Bath Rugby)
- Haydn Thomas – Defence Coach (Exeter Chiefs)
- Louis Deacon – Forwards Coach (Red Roses)
- Matt Ferguson – Scrum Coach (Northampton Saints)
