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England A make 8 changes for Spain, including world champion
By Josh Raisey
England A head coach Mark Mapletoft has named the team that will take on Spain this Saturday, live on RugbyPass TV, with seven changes to the side that lost to an All Blacks XV.
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Six fully capped England internationals started in the 31-14 defeat to New Zealand, but Charlie Atkinson is the only senior player who remains for the trip to the Estadio Jose Zurrillo in Valladolid.
Saracens’ 20-year-old lock Olamide Sodeke, who won the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024 and was competing in the tournament a matter of months ago, will make his England A debut alongside Nathan Jibulu and Nathan Michelow, with Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Caolan Englefield, Ben Bamber and captain Fitz Harding earning their first starts having come on from the bench last week. Northampton Saints’ George Hendy will also make his first start for England A after making his debut from the bench against Ireland A in February.
There will be further debuts for Joe Owen, Ewan Richards, Joseph Woodward and Ben Redshaw from the bench.
The team has drawn from a variety of clubs across the Gallagher PREM, with Harlequins and Newcastle Red Bulls the only two sides not represented in the matchday 23.
“Our result in Bath has given us many learnings to take into a fresh challenge in Spain,” said Mapletoft. “Fitz has made an impact with his leadership qualities in camp and has led by example throughout the last few days; it’s a privilege to have him lead our team onto the field this week.”
“Having the opportunity to play rugby in Spain is a rare honour and an opportunity our young group are eager to seize. We’re thankful to Pablo Bouza and his team and look forward to creating an exciting contest in Valladolid.”
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England A XV
15. Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
14. Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)
13. Angus Hall (Saracens, uncapped)
12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
11. George Hendy (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
10. Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
9. Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
1. Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
2. Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
3. Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
4. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, uncapped)
5. Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
6. Nathan Michelow (Saracens, uncapped)
7. Fitz Harding (c) (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
8. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Replacements
16. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
17. Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
18. Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
19. Joe Owen (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
20. Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
21. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
22. Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
23. Ben Redshaw (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
