Six Northampton Saints players have been named in England A’s squad to face Ireland A this weekend by Head Coach Lee Blackett.
Hooker Curtis Langdon takes on a leadership role within the group, named as vice-captain having won the Grand Slam with England’s Under-20s side back in 2017 and earned two Test caps to date – both in 2021.
Also amongst the starters for England A are Tom Lockett in the second row, and Tom Pearson (who featured for the A side last year and has one senior Test appearance to his name) at flanker.
Three more Saints are named on the bench, with props Tarek Haffar and Luke Green both selected in a talented group of replacements that also includes Northampton fullback George Hendy. Haffar is set to earn his second England A appearance, while former England Under-20 players Green and Hendy would make their debuts at this level should they enter the action.
Meanwhile Leicester Tigers scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will skipper the side for the game at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Sunday (23 February, kick-off: 1pm) – with the match available to watch for free via RugbyPass TV.
Blackett said: “Players and staff from across the RFU and Premiership Rugby have embraced the challenge of working with three training days and implementing the brand of rugby we want to play. It’s been a pleasure to work with this talented and varied group this week – it’s kind of test you savour as a coach.
“Nine of the squad involved against Australia A have since been involved in England senior camps, with four of them going on to achieve further caps. The opportunity in front of players this Sunday is clear.
“It’ll be great to take the Men’s A side to another big rugby city in Bristol following on from Leicester and London in 2024, and we’re all excited for a strong, physical test against Ireland A this weekend.”
Tickets for England A vs Ireland A at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol are available from £20* for adults and £5* for U12s and can be purchased here.
England A team to face Ireland A
15 Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RUFC)
14 Tobias Elliott (Saracens, Harrow Rugby Club)
13 Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC)
12 Will Butt (Bath Rugby, Wimborne RFC)
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, Newbury RFC)
10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (c) (Leicester Tigers, North Walsham RFC)
1 Phil Brantingham (Saracens, Northern FC)
2 Curtis Langdon (vc) (Northampton Saints, Hornets Rugby Club)
3 George Kloska (Bristol Bears, St. Brendan’s RFC)
4 Hugh Tizard (Saracens, Guildfordians RFC)
5 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Northampton Saints)
6 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, Bromyard Rugby Club)
7 Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, Richmond RFC)
8 Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby, Banbury RUFC)
Replacements:
16 Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears, Walcot RFC)
17 Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints, Grasshoppers RFC)
18 Luke Green (Northampton Saints, Richmond RFC)
19 Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs, Taunton Rugby Football Club)
20 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, Devonport Services RFC)
21 Will Porter (Harlequins, Amersham and Chiltern RFC)
22 Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers, Southam RUFC)
23 George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Shipston-on-Stour RFC)
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)
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