Northern | US

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)
Comments
5 Comments

Noah Caluori is set to start for England XV against France XV at Vannes’ Stade de la Rabine on Friday, live on RPTV.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

VIDEO

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
09:15
19 Jun 26
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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Related

Watch France XV v England A at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes this Friday 19 June (KO 16:15 GMT/15:15 BST/18:15 CET) - live and for FREE only on RugbyPass TV and on the RugbyPass App
*Unavailable in France

Get the RugbyPass App 📱

Follow the biggest matches with live scores, line-ups, news and analysis, all in the RugbyPass App.

Download Here
On Apple IOS, Android, and Tablet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

5 Comments
T
Tom 37 mins 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.

A
AA 51 mins 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 1 hr ago

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

T
TR1 2 mins ago

Yep RPTV (excluding France)

B
BH 1 hr 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…

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close