England A coaches announced for Ireland A fixture

11 Feb 2025 | 4 min | 1

England A coaches announced for Ireland A fixture

The coaching staff for England A v Ireland A have been announced ahead of the game at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday 23rd February.

England A tickets

Bath Rugby attack coach, Lee Blackett, will lead the England Men A squad against Ireland A (KO 13:00) later this month as the team’s head coach and attack coach.

Blackett played a crucial role as the team’s attack coach for their 38-17 win against Australia A in November and has previously coached at Rotherham Titans, Wasps and Scarlets before joining the Somerset side in 2023.

Blackett will be accompanied by Exeter Chiefs’ senior coach, Haydn Thomas, as the team’s defence coach, resuming his role against Australia A.

Red Roses forwards coach, Louis Deacon, also joins as forwards coach. The former England and Leicester Tigers lock joined England Women as forwards coach in August 2021.

Louis Deacon holding a ball during training — Louis Deacon is named as forwards coach

Matt Ferguson, assistant coach at Northampton Saints, will serve as the England A team’s scrum coach. Ferguson has been assistant coach for Northampton Saints since 2018, focussing on the scrum.

The coaching team was chosen by the RFU in consultation with Premiership Rugby, with the selection of the match day 23 determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.

Reaction

On being appointed head coach and attack coach for England A, Lee Blackett said: “I was honoured to be asked to take up the role. I really enjoyed being part of the England A coaching team in the week leading up to facing Australia A last Autumn.

“Having that opportunity to work with quality players and staff was a hugely positive experience. To be asked to lead it is something I am really excited for.”

Conor O’Shea said: “We are excited to see Lee and Haydn continue their work with this team and provide continuity off the back of a fantastic win against Australia A in November.

“It’s brilliant to have Louis joining this outstanding coaching team, helping us to continue to align our women’s and men’s teams together with Matt Ferguson as scrum coach from Northampton Saints.

“The A team is and always will be a great development opportunity for coaches and players alike and it’s great to see Lee stepping up to head coach for this fixture, while Mark Mapletoft is with the U20 Men for the Six Nations.

“The England A games offer a platform for emerging players in the English game and show a commitment to an ambitious, unified and winning England, as we look to inspire the next generation of England Rugby supporters. I would like to thank the clubs for their continued collaboration and the coaches for the giving up their time to take this opportunity with the England A team.”

Tickets for England A vs. Ireland A at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol are available from £20 for adults and £5 for U12s* and can be purchased here.

*booking fees apply