Mystery as Noah Caluori misses out on England A squad vs Ireland XV

Saracens sensation Noah Caluori is missing from Mark Mapletoft’s 26-man match week group for the fixture vs Ireland XV at Thomond Park next Friday.

The flying winger was involved in the senior England setup during last November’s international window but has now been omitted from both the full and A team squads so far this year, despite maintaining his hot streak of form.

Last week Caluori sent a message to Steve Borthwick by scoring four tries in Saracens’ 11-try demolition job on Newcastle Red Bulls.

Unless he is injured, and there hasn’t been any news to say he is, England may have decided that the 19-year-old is best served playing in the U20s Six Nations.

Instead, Exeter’s equally exciting Paul Brown-Bampoe has been called up to provide the pace and power on the wing, along with Leicester’s Ollie Hassel-Collins.

Brown-Bampoe is one of 17 players in the 26 who have yet to feature for England A, which includes Leicester duo, Billy Searle and Orlando Bailey, who have both impressed since moving to Welford Road, along with their club team-mate, centre Will Wand.

Previously capped livewire scrum-halves, Raffi Quirke and Harry Randall, will feel reassured that they are still on England’s radar following their call-ups.

A quartet of Harlequins players, led by Alex Dombrandt, have been named among the forwards. Dombrandt, Quirke, Randall and Hassell-Collins are joined in the nine-strong group of capped group by Ethan Roots, Jamie Blamire, Joe Carpenter, Luke Northmore and Charlie Atkinson.

“This is a really exciting England A group and there’s a lot of talent in this squad that we’re looking forward to seeing express itself on the pitch. These players have earned their selection through strong performances at club level, and this fixture gives them the chance to test themselves in a high intensity environment and show what they’re capable of.” said Mapletoft, England Men’s A head coach.

“There’s a strong balance of experience and emerging potential across the squad, and that competition for places is exactly what we want within the A side. Matches like this are about pushing standards, building confidence and giving players the platform to take the next step in their England journey. There’s real anticipation around this game and we’re excited to see how this group develops together.”

The fixture will be broadcast live on Premier Sports, with coverage from Thomond Park starting at 19:00 GMT

England Men’s A matchweek squad to face Ireland XV:

Forwards

Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, Langworthy Reds ARLFC uncapped)
Joe Batley (Bristol Bears, Gosport and Fareham RFC, uncapped)
Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers, Workington RFC, 7 caps)
Zach Carr (Harlequins, Ironsides Rugby Club, uncapped)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, Warlingham RFC, 23 caps)
Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Saracens Amateur RFC, uncapped)
Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped)
Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears, Beaconsfield RFC, uncapped)
Will Hobson (Harlequins, Wymondham RFC, uncapped)
George Kloska (Bristol Bears, St. Brendan’s RFC, uncapped)
Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Colchester RFC, uncapped)
Sam Riley (Harlequins, Chobham RFC, uncapped)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, East Coast Bays RFC, 4 caps)
Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, uncapped)

Backs

Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC, 1 cap)
Orlando Bailey (Leicester Tigers, Dorchester RFC, uncapped)
Paul Brown-Bampoe (Exeter Chiefs, Reed’s, uncapped)
Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RUFC, 1 cap)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, Newbury RFC 2 caps)
George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Shipston-on-Stour RFC, uncapped)
Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, Ampthill RUFC uncapped)
Luke Northmore (Harlequins, Tavistock RFC, 2 caps)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, Broughton Park RFC, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, Tycroes RFC, 14 caps)
Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers, Oakhampton RFC, uncapped)
William Wand (Leicester Tigers, Spalding RFC, uncapped)

(includes current club, community club and previous Senior England caps)