Mark Mapletoft has unleashed a formidable England A lineup boasting 10 senior capped warriors for their upcoming clash against an Ireland XV at Limerick's Thomond Park this Friday. Coming off a nail-biter win in Spain last November, the English squad is buzzing with a potent mix of seasoned pros and blooming talent, all set to continue their dominance after thrashing Ireland's second string 28-12 at Ashton Gate last year.
The squad will be under the command of Ethan Roots from Exeter Chiefs, marking his second leadership outing after a previous battle against an All Blacks XV. The team's spine is strengthened with the inclusion of Cadan Murley and Jack Kenningham, freshly minted from a training stint in Girona with the senior squad, alongside heavy hitters like Archie van der Flier and Hugh Tizard.
With a total of 17 players having graduated from England's U18 or U20 pathways, this team not only showcases the rich vein of talent coursing through the national setup but also emphasizes the blend of raw energy and seasoned expertise. Players like Henry Randall and Jamie Blamire are set to bring their A-game, backed by substantial international experience.
"We have high expectations for this group. Every player has the talent to perform at their best and we're looking forward to the challenge Friday,"
Mapletoft remarked, highlighting the squad's readiness and his enthusiasm for the potent mix of skills and experience at his disposal.
On the opposing front, Ireland's coach Cullie Tucker has not held back either, enlisting a robust team led by Leinster’s Max Deegan. The recent additions of Jack Aungier, Fiachna Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Fineen Wycherely, and Ethan Coughlan, alongside the newly included Ciaran Frawley from Portugal, promise a fiery contest come game day.
England A team to face Ireland XV: Joe Carpenter, Cadan Murley, Luke Northmore, Orlando Bailey, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Billy Searle, Harry Randall, Alex Dombrandt, Jack Kenningham, Ethan Roots (c), Joe Batley, Ben Bamber, George Kloska, Jamie Blamire, Tarek Haffar. Replacements: Kepueli Tuipulotu, Archie van der Flier, Afolabi Fasogbon, Hugh Tizard, Fitz Harding, Raffi Quirke, Charlie Atkinson, George Hendy.
Date: Friday, February 6 Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Kick-off: 19:00 BST
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Mark Mapletoft has unleashed a formidable England A lineup boasting 10 senior capped warriors for their upcoming clash against an Ireland XV at Limerick's Thomond Park this Friday. Coming off a nail-biter win in Spain last November, the English squad is buzzing with a potent mix of seasoned pros and blooming talent, all set to continue their dominance after thrashing Ireland's second string 28-12 at Ashton Gate last year.
The squad will be under the command of Ethan Roots from Exeter Chiefs, marking his second leadership outing after a previous battle against an All Blacks XV. The team's spine is strengthened with the inclusion of Cadan Murley and Jack Kenningham, freshly minted from a training stint in Girona with the senior squad, alongside heavy hitters like Archie van der Flier and Hugh Tizard.
With a total of 17 players having graduated from England's U18 or U20 pathways, this team not only showcases the rich vein of talent coursing through the national setup but also emphasizes the blend of raw energy and seasoned expertise. Players like Henry Randall and Jamie Blamire are set to bring their A-game, backed by substantial international experience.
"We have high expectations for this group. Every player has the talent to perform at their best and we're looking forward to the challenge Friday,"
Mapletoft remarked, highlighting the squad's readiness and his enthusiasm for the potent mix of skills and experience at his disposal.On the opposing front, Ireland's coach Cullie Tucker has not held back either, enlisting a robust team led by Leinster’s Max Deegan. The recent additions of Jack Aungier, Fiachna Barrett, Harry Sheridan, Fineen Wycherely, and Ethan Coughlan, alongside the newly included Ciaran Frawley from Portugal, promise a fiery contest come game day.
England A team to face Ireland XV: Joe Carpenter, Cadan Murley, Luke Northmore, Orlando Bailey, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Billy Searle, Harry Randall, Alex Dombrandt, Jack Kenningham, Ethan Roots (c), Joe Batley, Ben Bamber, George Kloska, Jamie Blamire, Tarek Haffar. Replacements: Kepueli Tuipulotu, Archie van der Flier, Afolabi Fasogbon, Hugh Tizard, Fitz Harding, Raffi Quirke, Charlie Atkinson, George Hendy.
Date: Friday, February 6 Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Kick-off: 19:00 BST