England 'A' to host All Blacks XV in November
RFU Executive Director of Performance Conor O’Shea
©Steve Haag
England ‘A’ will face the All Blacks XV in a landmark clash at Bath’s Recreation Ground on Saturday, November 8.
This will be the first meeting between the high-performance pathway teams of England and New Zealand since the rebranding of New Zealand ‘A’ as the All Blacks XV.
The match promises a competitive edge, with England ‘A’ aiming to extend their unbeaten run since returning in 2023, while the All Blacks XV arrive unbeaten from their 2024 Northern Hemisphere tour.
Both sides will feature players on the cusp of senior Test rugby, making it a key development platform.
England ‘A’ acts as a bridge between Premiership Rugby and the senior national side, offering opportunities for players graduating from the Under-20s programme.
In the 2024/25 season alone, ten players from the ‘A’ squad earned their senior England debuts. Similarly, the All Blacks XV are central to New Zealand’s strategy for grooming Test-ready talent.
The Rugby Football Union will appoint the England ‘A’ coaching team in consultation with Premiership Rugby.
Senior men’s head coach Steve Borthwick and RFU Executive Director of Performance Conor O’Shea will select the match-day squad. O’Shea described the fixture as a fitting opener to a challenging campaign, highlighting the ‘A’ team’s contribution to England’s senior success this year.
“Any time a side representing New Zealand has set foot on English soil, it serves up a fantastic fixture and is a fitting opening to an exciting and challenging campaign for the England A team.
“The men’s A’ programme has served our senior men’s team brilliantly in 2025, with a number of players earning what we hope to be the first of many caps.
“We look forward to developing the talents of a refreshed cohort in a testing international arena."
Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald welcomed the announcement, expressing pride in hosting the game and the opportunity for fans to watch elite-level rugby. He noted the historic venue’s strong connection with international fixtures and its ability to draw vibrant crowds.
