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Four Test capped players included in 25-strong England A squad
By Liam Heagney
Lee Blackett has included four Test capped players in his 25-strong England A squad for the February 23 match versus Ireland A that will be streamed live on RugbyPass TV.
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Leicester pair Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet and Northampton duo Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson have been named in the squad for the fixture at Bristol the day after Steve Borthwick’s senior England team host Scotland at Allianz Stadium in round three of the Guinness Six Nations.
A statement read: “A 25-player squad has been selected as part of a wider England Men’s A group to prepare for the side’s upcoming fixture against Ireland A at Ashton Gate Stadium. Following on from a 38-17 win over Australia A last November, England A return to action on Sunday, February 23 (13:00 GMT kick-off), in Bristol. The match will be streamed live for free on RugbyPass TV.
“The squad boasts four previously capped players at senior men’s level, including Leicester Tigers duo Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet, and Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson of Northampton Saints.
“Twelve of the selected cohort have achieved appearances for the England Men’s A side in at least one of their 2024 fixtures against Portugal or Australia A. Twenty-one of the 25 players also boast caps at age-grade level for the England Rugby men’s pathway.
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“Earlier on this week, Bath’s Lee Blackett was appointed the team’s head coach and attack coach for the game. He will be accompanied by Haydn Thomas (Exeter Chiefs, defence coach), Louis Deacon (Red Roses, forwards coach) and Matt Ferguson (Northampton Saints, scrum coach) as part of his staff for the match.
“The coaching team was chosen by the RFU in consultation with Premiership Rugby, with the selection of the match day 23 determined by senior men’s head coach Steve Borthwick, and Conor O’Shea, the RFU executive director of performance rugby.
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“The squad will assemble at the Bristol Bears high performance centre next Tuesday (February 18) to begin preparations for the fixture later that week, where they may be joined by selected players presently training with the senior squad. The coaching staff will be supported by strength and conditioning, medical and operational staff from across Premiership Rugby, Red Roses and England Rugby pathway for the game.”
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 are 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 and I previously involved in the setup last November, we want to continue to develop a collaborative and supportive environment alongside Louis and Matt.”
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England men’s A wider squad to face Ireland A
Forwards (13):
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 (12):
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’s A coaching staff for Ireland A fixture
Lee Blackett – Head coach and attack coach
Haydn Thomas – Defence coach
Louis Deacon – Forwards coach
Matt Ferguson – Scrum coach
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