Hometown hero Max Ojomoh one of 8 capped players in England A 23

Bath inside centre Max Ojomoh will run out at his home ground, The Rec, on Friday night, after being selected to start for England A vs Argentina XV.

Ojomoh, who made two appearances for the senior side in 2025, is one of eight capped players in the matchday 23 and is partnered in the midfield by another in Luke Northmore.

There is an all-Gloucester half-back pairing inside of them, with Caolan Englefield and Charlie Atkinson dictating the course of play, while the back three comprises wings George Hendy and Noah Caluori and full-back Joe Carpenter, who makes a swift return to Bath, having lost there with Sale Sharks only last week.

Having led England ‘A’ to a 29-25 victory over Spain in Valladolid last November, Bristol Bears’ Fitz Harding resumes the captaincy on his fourth ‘A’ appearance for Mapletoft’s side.

Harding packs down at No.8, with Ethan Roots and Jack Kenningham alongside him in the back row.

Joe Batley and Ben Bamber’s sizeable frames can be found in the second row, while Archie van der Flier, Jamie Blamire and Afolabi Fasogbon form the front row.

The inclusion of Newcastle Red Bulls loose forward Max Hicks ensures that all 10 Gallagher PREM clubs are represented in the matchday 23.

If called upon, Hicks and fellow bench men, Lucas Friday and Alex O’Driscoll, will make their England A debuts.

Mark Mapletoft said: “This group has shown excellent determination in a short training week, and we’re excited to see them come together for the first time this season at The Rec.

“The programme continues to play an important role in strengthening our pathway, giving players the chance to make a difference in an England shirt while continuing their development in a high-performance environment.

“We also like to congratulate Fitz [Harding] on leading the side for a second time; he has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, sets high standards for those around him, and is a respected figure who brings the group together both on and off the field.”

England ‘A’ matchday squad to face Argentina XV (includes current club, community club and senior men’s caps):

15 Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RUFC, 1 cap)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, 2 caps)
13 Luke Northmore (Harlequins, Tavistock RFC, 2 caps)
12 Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC, 2 caps)
11 George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Shipston-on-Stour RFC, uncapped)
10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC, 1 cap)
9 Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, Old Rutlishians Rugby, uncapped)
1 Archie van der Flier (Leicester Tigers, Nottingham Rugby, uncapped)
2 Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers, Workington RFC, 7 caps)
3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Saracens Amateur RFC, uncapped)
4 Joe Batley (Bristol Bears, Gosport and Fareham RFC, uncapped)
5 Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, Langworthy Reds ARLFC, uncapped)
6 Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, East Coast Bays RFC, 4 caps)
7 Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, Reeds, uncapped)
8 Fitz Harding (c) (Bristol Bears, Beaconsfield RFC, uncapped)

Replacements
16 Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks, Old Wimbledonians, uncapped)
17 Alex O’Driscoll (Saracens, Amersham & Chiltern RFC, uncapped)
18 George Kloska (Bristol Bears, St. Brendan’s RFC, 2 caps)
19 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Colchester RFC, uncapped)
20 Max Hicks (Newcastle Red Bulls, Marist RFC, uncapped)
21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, uncapped)
22 Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers, Okehampton RFC, uncapped)
23 Tobias Elliott (Saracens, Harrow Rugby Club, uncapped)