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Noah Caluori one of two uncapped players to start for England XV


Noah Caluori warms up during the England training session at Pennyhill Park on October 27, 2025 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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Noah Caluori is set to start for England XV against France XV at Vannes’ Stade de la Rabine on Friday, live on RPTV.

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The 19-year-old Saracens star will be joined by uncapped Bristol Bears tighthead George Kloska in the starting XV for what will be an uncapped match that will be brimming with Test stars on either side.

There are a further three uncapped players on the bench – Bath tighthead Billy Sela, Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham and Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who is yet to qualify to represent the senior side.

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Having appeared to be in the Test wilderness a matter of weeks ago, Max Ojomoh will start at outside centre, aided by the absence of Exeter Chiefs’ Henry Slade and Northampton Saints duo Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman, who are competing in the Gallagher PREM final on Saturday. He will form a midfield partnership with Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson, who started the final two matches of England’s dismal Guinness Six Nations campaign.

In the absence of Maro Itoje, the side will be led by George Ford, who will start at fly-half with Marcus Smith at full-back.

Fixture
Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies
France XV
35 - 19
Full-time
England A
All Stats and Data

“We’re looking forward to an exciting challenge against a strong French team in what will be a demanding fixture,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.

“I’m eager to see this group get out there and show what they’re capable of. It’s a great opportunity to keep developing our game in the lead-up to the forthcoming Nations Championship.”

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England XV: 15 Marcus Smith; 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley; 10 George Ford (c), 9 Harry Randall; 1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Theo Dan, 3 George Kloska, 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 George Martin, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Alex Dombrandt.

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jack Kenningham, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Adam Radwan.

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18 Comments
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Neil 27 days ago

Once again we revert to Ford, what on earth do we expect to find out that we don't already know. You can only assume he's there to punt the ball in the air for Caulori to catch…

Last time out England played some really exciting handling rugby so we obviously need to revert to the stat driven dross that came before that….

A
AA 27 days ago

Ford has never been taken to the fans hearts because they can see he is lacking bottle and is Hugely overated .

Watch Harvey Skinner last week .

Has ANYONE EVER SEEN FORD PLAY WITH SUCH HEART AND PASSION .

Sale lost against the bottom team .

Ford wasnt even trying to pull it around .Anyone could see


HE is totally lacking in bottle which is why he tackles like a child.

What on earth is he even in the squad for ?? His form is not justifying a call up .

M
Mark 27 days ago

Ford at 10….for the love of god.

That selection in and of itself totally encapsulates the Whole Borthwick ethos.

Zero attacking ambition, zero willingness to step away from stats driven rugby.

And the whole backrow will be compromised by having to think about defending the 10 channel, because ford’s defensive game is about as effective as my grannies.

f
fl 27 days ago

Ford has been playing excellent attacking rugby recently. I guess you haven’t been paying attention!

T
Tom 27 days ago

Marcus Smith must be wondering what he has to do to get a game at 10. Picked at 15 for the second team lol.


Surely this fixture is the time to give him a run-out at 10? We know what Ford brings, he's a test centurion. Seems Borthers is doubling down on Smith being a utility player and wants to give him max game time at 15 but he's got to be given some time in the 10 shirt at some point to see how he's developed.

f
fl 27 days ago

Ford is a test centurion and Smith has over 50 caps. We know what he brings, he’s had many, many extended opportunities to show us.

H
Hammer Head 27 days ago

I honestly think the horse has bolted on Marcus Smith. His best bet is an injury to everyone who can play ten in England.

A
AA 27 days ago

Well. Borthwick has not learned anything whatsoever.

After ditching ford for failing to do anything of merit , after fords dismal last few games for sale, Borthwick resorts to the kick chase again .

No other reason to pick plodder ford , he who never attempts to make breaks himself .

Nothing new will be learned by playing ford .

Utter, blind favouritism .

R
RT 27 days ago

Is this on Rugby pass tv coz i cant find it on here ?

T
TR1 27 days ago

Yep RPTV (excluding France)

B
BH 27 days ago

Sensible selection given the resources available, however it may be more a matter of how they play not who plays, if the game plan revolves around Ford hoisting high balls for Calouri to chase and tap back then it will look like nothing was learned from the 6N, but i live in hope…

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