England Men A squad confirmed for All Blacks XV clash

England Men A head coach Mark Mapletoft has named a 30-player squad for the match against the All Blacks XV at The Recreation Ground, Bath, on Saturday 8 November.

Joe Batley of Bristol Bears will captain the side. The squad includes seven players with senior England caps: Charlie Atkinson, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Max Ojomoh, Tom Pearson, Ethan Roots and Adam Radwan. These experienced players will anchor a mostly young group.

Twenty-four of the 30 selected players have progressed through England’s men’s player pathway, many earning age-grade caps.

Notable names include U20 members Noah Caluori and 2024 U20 World Championship winners Afolabi Fasogbon, Angus Hall, Sean Kerr, Nathan Michelow, Vilikesa Sela and Olamide Sodeke.

The coaching team supporting Mapletoft includes James Lightfoot Brown (attack), Adam Powell (defence), James Craig (forwards) and Matt Ferguson (scrum).

"We have assembled a dynamic young group of players aiming to excel whilst wearing the rose. I'd like to congratulate all selected players and staff involved," Mapletoft said.

"Ten players that represented the England A side last season progressed to make their senior debuts -- these fixtures matter for the future of English Rugby.

"As evidenced in this week's squad announcements, our connection from the age-grade and senior set-up is stronger than ever and we're determined to continue that work over the forthcoming weeks."

England A squad:

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), Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Saracens Amateur RFC, uncapped), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, Devonport Services RFC, uncapped), Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped), Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears, Beaconsfield RFC, uncapped), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, Southend RFC, uncapped), Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks, Old Wimbledonian Warriors RFC, uncapped), Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby, Matson RFC, uncapped), Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, uncapped), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, Bromyard Rugby Club, 1 cap), Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby, Wells RFC, uncapped), Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, East Coast Bays RFC, 4 caps), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, uncapped), Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, uncapped), Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, uncapped)

Backs: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC, 1 cap), Jamie Benson (Harlequins, uncapped), Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped), Tobias Elliott (Saracens, Harrow Rugby Club, uncapped), Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, Old Rutlishians Rugby, uncapped), Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped), Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, Newbury RFC, 2 caps), Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs, Vale of Lune RUFC, uncapped), Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, uncapped), Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, Ampthill RUFC, uncapped), Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, uncapped), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC, 1 cap), Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers, Billingham RUFC, 2 caps)