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Captain Jack van Poortvliet one of four Test players in England A side

87 days ago

Jack van Poortvliet of England during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between England and Japan at Allianz Stadium on November 24, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet will captain the England A side that will take on Ireland A on Sunday at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium – which is broadcast live on RugbyPass TV.

The 16-cap international will be joined by his Leicester team-mate Ollie Hassell-Collins and the Northampton Saints duo of Tom Pearson and Curtis Langdon as the senior internationals in the starting XV. Hooker Langdon will also serve as vice-captain.

Nine members of the matchday squad that will run out in Bristol featured in England A’s last outing against Australia A in November at Twickenham Stoop, with the hosts winning 38-17.

Head coach this weekend Lee Blackett emphasised the opportunity that is there for the players this Sunday, as four members of the side that were victorious over Australia A have gone on to represent Steve Borthwick’s senior side, with Tom Willis and Joe Heyes facing Scotland on Saturday at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

Fixture

Rugby Union Hybrid Friendlies

England A

28 - 12

Full-time

Ireland A

All Stats and Data

Despite starting twice for England in their Autumn Nations Series campaign, the return of Alex Mitchell in the No.9 jersey this Guinness Six Nations has seen Van Poortvliet shunted out of contention.

However, with a British and Irish Lions tour later this year, Van Poortvliet and his team-mates on Sunday will be aware that there will be openings in Borthwick’s squad for their tour of Argentina in July.

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 the 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.”

England A XV (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)

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Comments

2 Comments

fl 87 days ago

Does this mean Hassell-Collins won’t be eligible for Wales for 3 years? If so, that’s a ridiculous rule that needs changing.

Looks like a decent lineup, although i’m feeling a bit anxious about England’s stocks at lock, as Borthwick only seems to have faith in Itoje, Chessum, and Martin atm. I’d have liked to see Arthur Clark and Joe Owen either in the full England squad, or the A starting XV, and am not fully convinced by Tizard and Lockett.

JD 87 days ago

Raises the question of what the A game is for, surely you want the next players out of the stables in the lineup? Second row a key example really, why not give Coles some minutes if he is next in line and coming back from injury? I get giving youngsters exposure to a degree.

Surprised more guys weren’t released from the main squad. Roebuck as an example hasn’t played any rugby since 19 January due to his main squad involvement. I’m sure Sale fans will thank SB for taking Ford and Roebuck, not releasing them for PRC games or the A games, then sending them back having not played any competitive games for 2 months.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 7 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 7 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍