England A name team to face Australia A
Head coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed the England Men A side to take on Australia A on Sunday 17 November at the Twickenham Stoop (14:00 kick-off).
Northampton Saints’ Fraser Dingwall captains the team from inside centre and is partnered by Oscar Beard in midfield. Dingwall is one of four previously capped senior men’s players in the starting XV and five in total in the match day 23.
Beard and Harlequins teammate Cadan Murley are two of nine players in the matchday squad that played in England A's 91-5 win over Portugal in February.
2024 World Rugby U20 Championship winners Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Henry Pollock are also awarded their first Men A starts, with Opoku-Fordjour joining the side from training with the senior men's team.
England A side to face Australia A
15. Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
14. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
13. Oscar Beard (Harlequins)
12. Fraser Dingwall (c) (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears)
10. Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
9. Will Porter (Harlequins)
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
2. Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
4. Hugh Tizard (Saracens)
5. Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
6. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens, 1 cap)
Replacements
16. Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
17. Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints)
18. Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)
19. Rusi Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
20. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
21. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
22. Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers)
23. Will Muir (Bath Rugby)
Mapletoft on selection
Mark Mapletoft said: “I’d like to thank Conor [O’Shea], Steve [Borthwick] and all the support staff for their incredible effort in the buildup to what promises to be a fantastic occasion at The Stoop. Collaboration across the pathway, senior men’s and women’s teams has been vital in our processes so far.
“We want the players to seize the opportunity this Sunday, their cohesion and unity in such a short period has been pleasing.
“We have a mix of younger talent, Premiership-quality players and those capped at Test level too – it's a unique blend that ultimately creates a driven environment, and we’re confident that will show this Sunday.”
Tickets start from only £25 for adults & £15 for kids (U16)* for England A's game against Australia A. Click here to secure your place at the Twickenham Stoop.
(*booking fees apply)
England A coaching staff for Australia A fixture
Mark Mapletoft – Head Coach
Andy Titterrell – Forwards Coach
Nathan Catt – Scrum Coach
Lee Blackett – Attack Coach
Louise Meadows – Attack Coach
Haydn Thomas – Defence Coach
England A confirmed 2024/25 fixtures
Sunday 17 November 2024 – England A vs. Australia A – Twickenham Stoop, 14:00 GMT kick-off (Live on Premier Sports 1, tickets available here)
Sunday 23 February 2025 – England A vs. Ireland A – Ashton Gate, 13:00 GMT kick-off (Tickets available here)
