2 Chiefs Named in England A Matchday Squad

Exeter Chiefs Richard Capstick and Greg Fisilau are set to play against Ireland A at Ashton Gate.

Lee Blackett’s squad have trained out of Bristol Bears’ High Performance Centre this week and make the short journey across Bristol this Sunday (23rd, 13:00 GMT kick-off) for the side’s second fixture of the campaign. The match will be streamed live for free on RugbyPass TV.

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has been awarded the captaincy of the team for the match. The 2021 U20 Men’s grand-slam winning skipper leads his country once more, having earned 16 senior men’s caps to date and is partnered by Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby) to form the half-back pairing.

Curtis Langdon of Northampton Saints will take on the leadership role of vice-captain for the visit of Ireland A. Another former grand-slam winner with the U20 Men’s side in 2017, the hooker won the Gallagher Premiership with Saints in 2024 and made his two appearances to date with the England senior men in 2021.

Phil Brantingham (Saracens), Will Butt (Bath Rugby), Tobias Elliott (Saracens), Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints) and Van Poortvliet will earn their first minutes for the England Men’s A side this Sunday.

In a 5-3 split on the bench, Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears), Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints), Luke Green (Northampton Saints), Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Will Porter (Harlequins), Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers) and George Hendy (Northampton Saints) are named as replacements.

Lee Blackett said: “Players and staff from across the RFU and Premiership Rugby have embraced the challenge of working with three training days and implementing the brand of rugby we want to play. It’s been a pleasure to work with this talented and varied group this week - it’s kind of test you savour as a coach.

“Nine of the squad involved against Australia A have since been involved in England senior camps, with four of them going on to achieve further caps. The opportunity in front of players this Sunday is clear.

“It’ll be great to take the Men’s A side to another big rugby city in Bristol following on from Leicester and London in 2024, and we’re all excited for a strong, physical test against Ireland A this weekend.”

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 

England Men’s A team to face Ireland A (includes current club, community club and senior men’s caps)

15 Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RUFC)

14 Tobias Elliott (Saracens, Harrow Rugby Club)

13 Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC)

12 Will Butt (Bath Rugby, Wimborne RFC)

11 Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, Newbury RFC, 2 caps)

10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC)

9 Jack van Poortvliet (c) (Leicester Tigers, North Walsham RFC, 16 caps)

1 Phil Brantingham (Saracens, Northern FC)

2 Curtis Langdon (vc) (Northampton Saints, Hornets Rugby Club, 2 caps)

3 George Kloska (Bristol Bears, St. Brendan’s RFC)

4 Hugh Tizard (Saracens, Guildfordians RFC)

5 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Northampton Saints)

6 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, Bromyard Rugby Club, 1 cap)

7 Jack Kenningham (Harlequins, Richmond RFC)

8 Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby, Banbury RUFC)

Replacements

16 Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears, Walcot RFC)

17 Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints, Grasshoppers RFC)

18 Luke Green (Northampton Saints, Richmond RFC)

19 Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs, Taunton Rugby Football Club)

20 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, Devonport Services RFC)

21 Will Porter (Harlequins, Amersham and Chiltern RFC)

22 Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers, Southam RUFC)

23 George Hendy (Northampton Saints, Shipston-on-Stour RFC)

England Men A coaching staff for Ireland A fixture

Lee Blackett – Head Coach and Attack Coach

Haydn Thomas - Defence Coach

Louis Deacon – Forwards Coach

Matt Ferguson – Scrum Coach

England Men A 2024/25 fixtures and results

Sunday 17th November 2024 – England A 38-17 Australia A – Twickenham Stoop, 14:00 GMT kick-off

Sunday 23rd February 2025 – England A vs. Ireland A – Ashton Gate, 13:00 GMT kick-off