Six Northampton Saints players are heading into camp with England A next week, as Mark Mapletoft names a 24-man squad ahead of the side’s clash with Australia A on Sunday 17 November (kick-off: 2pm).
Centre Fraser Dingwall has been handed the captaincy for the clash at Twickenham Stoop – with fellow Saints Emmanuel Iyogun, Curtis Langdon, Archie McParland, Tom Pearson and Henry Pollock also named in the squad for the match.
After impressing across the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for Northampton at scrum-half and back row already this season, this marks a first inclusion in a senior England squad for 19-year-old duo McParland and Pollock.
The Under-20s pair are joined by club teammate and back rower Pearson – who featured for England A in last year’s clash against Portugal, and in the 91-5 win.
While prop Iyogun, who travelled to New Zealand with England over the summer, also heads into the camp, alongside hooker Langdon who has two senior England to his name already.
The selection of the wider squad and matchday 23 is a cooperative approach made in consultation with head coach Mapletoft and determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.
Ahead of the camp, head coach Mapletoft said: “The coaching staff and I are incredibly excited to reveal this squad after extensive collaborative work and are looking forward to working with some familiar and new faces alike.
“Next week presents a platform for a selection of some of the best Premiership talent to express themselves further whilst representing their country, some of those being U20 players me and the pathway staff have worked with very recently. It bridges from the pathway and into senior contention through vital gametime in an England jersey.
“An England A match week is a short turnaround; the key for us is to instil a chemistry through extensive preparation, knowledge sharing and a diligent team culture ahead of a very competitive opportunity in front of an energetic home support.”
Tickets start from only £25 for adults & £15 for kids (under-16)* for England A’s meeting against Australia A. Click HERE to secure your place at the Twickenham Stoop.
(*booking fees apply)
ENGLAND A SQUAD TO FACE AUSTRALIA A
FORWARDS
Joe Batley (Bristol Bears)
Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)
Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins)
Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby)
Tom Willis (Saracens, 1 cap)
BACKS
Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Oscar Beard (Harlequins)
Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
Fraser Dingwall (c) (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears)
Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby)
Will Porter (Harlequins)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers)
ENGLAND A COACHING TEAM
- Mark Mapletoft – Head Coach
- Andy Titterrell – Forwards Coach
- Nathan Catt – Scrum Coach
- Lee Blackett – Attack Coach
- Haydn Thomas – Defence Coach
ENGLAND A 2024/25 FIXTURES
- Sunday 17th November 2024: England A vs Australia A – Twickenham Stoop, kick-off: 2pm (Live on Premier Sports 1)
- Sunday 23rd February 2025: England A vs Ireland A – Ashton Gate, kick-off: 1pm
