RugbyRebels

Should be a nice prelude to the AIs!

Nice that it's out of London too. I wish they'd cross the Watford gap but can't grumble too much

That is **great** news. I'd venture that an AB XV may provide as great a test as the Argentina side we faced in the summer, possibly even greater, so it's a fantastic opportunity to learn things about whether some of our fringe players have the capacity to step up.

Puja

I do wish the AB players weren't posing like they're having a poo in the woods.

good news. I'd have preferred a northern venue but cannot complain too much as this is just the kind of fixture the A team should be right up for.

Should be a good challenge that. Good addition to the A squad schedule.

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 11:40 am That is **great** news. I'd venture that an AB XV may provide as great a test as the Argentina side we faced in the summer, possibly even greater, so it's a fantastic opportunity to learn things about whether some of our fringe players have the capacity to step up.

Puja

Yep. This is as close to test match level as you’re going to get from an A game and you could make a reasonable case to say this will be a harder game than some of the tests the full side will face.

Is there any info on what 'All Blacks XV' means? Why not 'NZ A'? I don't care about the label but might it be NZ 3rd or 4th team rather than 2nd?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:10 pm Is there any info on what 'All Blacks XV' means? Why not 'NZ A'? I don't care about the label but might it be NZ 3rd or 4th team rather than 2nd?

I doubt they'd fly a squad halfway around the world made up of players that they aren't interested in getting a closer look at. You'd have to imagine some will basically be travelling reserves for the main team as well.

Danno wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:27 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:10 pm Is there any info on what 'All Blacks XV' means? Why not 'NZ A'? I don't care about the label but might it be NZ 3rd or 4th team rather than 2nd?

I doubt they'd fly a squad halfway around the world made up of players that they aren't interested in getting a closer look at. You'd have to imagine some will basically be travelling reserves for the main team as well.

Are they touring or is it a one-off?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:23 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:27 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:10 pm Is there any info on what 'All Blacks XV' means? Why not 'NZ A'? I don't care about the label but might it be NZ 3rd or 4th team rather than 2nd?

I doubt they'd fly a squad halfway around the world made up of players that they aren't interested in getting a closer look at. You'd have to imagine some will basically be travelling reserves for the main team as well.

Are they touring or is it a one-off?

All I've seen is the tweet about the England A fixture

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:10 pm Is there any info on what 'All Blacks XV' means? Why not 'NZ A'? I don't care about the label but might it be NZ 3rd or 4th team rather than 2nd?

NZ don't run a side called "NZ A" - the "All Blacks XV" is their designated second string. They toured Europe last year, playing Munster and Georgia - that squad is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Black ... rent_squad

While I don't claim to be an expert, that looks to be genuinely fringe ABs - I recognise McAlister, Bower, Holland, Kirifi, Parker, Tupaea, and Love as all playing for NZ this year, and Christie, Hotham, Plummer, and Stevenson have all in the main squad the last year or two.

Puja


ETA:

Oakboy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:23 pmAre they touring or is it a one-off?

https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/art ... ty-stadium

The All Blacks XV are going to be playing the Barbarians the week before, so they'll have a game to get cohesion before playing England A. Could be a very tough game indeed!

Great info. Thanks, Puja.

Rumour has it the weekend after this NZ fixture, England A will play against Spain.

If it’s in Barcelona that might be the cheaper and easier of the two matches for me to attend!

Slater582 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 14, 2025 11:50 pm Rumour has it the weekend after this NZ fixture, England A will play against Spain.

Really does seem to be the wrong way around that. I'm not sure whether we'll learn anything about any players turning out against Spain as a standalone fixture, but it would be a tremendous warm-up and integration match to have the week before the NZ fixture.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 1:19 pm

Slater582 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 14, 2025 11:50 pm Rumour has it the weekend after this NZ fixture, England A will play against Spain.

Really does seem to be the wrong way around that. I'm not sure whether we'll learn anything about any players turning out against Spain as a standalone fixture, but it would be a tremendous warm-up and integration match to have the week before the NZ fixture.

Puja

If it's a first choice Spain team and not like the farcical game Vs Portugal A then fine. Won't be as hard as the AB XV game but opportunity to capture and develop players.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 1:19 pm

Slater582 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 14, 2025 11:50 pm Rumour has it the weekend after this NZ fixture, England A will play against Spain.

Really does seem to be the wrong way around that. I'm not sure whether we'll learn anything about any players turning out against Spain as a standalone fixture, but it would be a tremendous warm-up and integration match to have the week before the NZ fixture.

Puja

Spain are hosting Ireland 'A' same day NZ visit the Rec so perhaps scheduling was complicated.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 9:47 am If it’s in Barcelona that might be the cheaper and easier of the two matches for me to attend!

England will be playing in Valladolid. Kick off 4pm UK time.

England Men’s A coaching staff for All Blacks XV fixture

Head Coach – Mark Mapletoft (England Rugby)
Attack Coach - James Lightfoot Brown (Gloucester Rugby)
Defence Coach - Adam Powell (Saracens)
Forwards Coach - James Craig (Northampton Saints)
Scrum Coach - Matt Ferguson (Harlequins)


England Men’s A coaching staff for Spain fixture

Head Coach and Attack Coach - Mark Mapletoft (England Rugby)
Defence Coach - Adam Powell (Saracens)
Forwards Coach - James Craig (Northampton Saints)
Scrum Coach – Nathan Catt (England Rugby)

Those coaching teams don't really inspire much confidence do they.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 11, 2025 12:41 pm Those coaching teams don't really inspire much confidence do they.

Given that England have taken Borthwick, Sinfield, Harrison, from Leicester, came back to collect Wigglesworth for the full set, subsequently nicked Blackett after he did England A and England at Bath's permission, and apparently have their eyes on adding McGuigan to the collection after Sale loaned him out, I'm not sure I can blame clubs for not wanting to be generous with their coaching staff anymore.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Sat Oct 11, 2025 12:50 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 11, 2025 12:41 pm Those coaching teams don't really inspire much confidence do they.

Given that England have taken Borthwick, Sinfield, Harrison, from Leicester, came back to collect Wigglesworth for the full set, subsequently nicked Blackett after he did England A and England at Bath's permission, and apparently have their eyes on adding McGuigan to the collection after Sale loaned him out, I'm not sure I can blame clubs for not wanting to be generous with their coaching staff anymore.

Puja

very fair.

For some reason, they were never rumoured to be interested in Skivington on a more permanent basis

Mapletoft

In fairness, Mapletoft as in charge of the A squad for the win vs. Australia A and oversaw a decent performance.

As for the others, I know nothing about Lightfoot Brown, but Gloucester’s attack has been good for quite a while so if he’s the man behind it, I’m OK with him getting some exposure at this level.

A few players putting their hands up for the A squad ATM. Bamber and Joseph should be strong contenders for example.

All Blacks XV touring squad named: https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-bl ... rseas-tour

As expected, looks to be a proper A-squad with a mix of up-and-comers and fringe internationals. Should be a good test, but it's definitely beatable if we put a good side out.

Puja

Based upon form so far, it feels like the main squad will more or less pick itself.

The A squad could be interesting. Here’s what I’d go for - with other possibles in brackets:

1. Iyogun / Obano
2. Jibulu / Blake* / Tuipolotu*
3. Fasogbon / Sela (Davison / Kloska)
4. Batley / Sodeke
5. Bamber / Burrow (Tizard)
6. Kenningham / Harding (Reid)
7. Ilione / Pearson
8. Chick (c) / Fisilau (Barbeary)
9. Porter / C. Bracken (Quirke)
10. Benson / Worsley
11. Murley / Hassell-Collins
12. Ma’asi-White
13. Joseph / Beard
14. Brown-Bampoe / J. Bracken (Radwan)
15. Carpenter / Hendy

A bit harsh on Radwan but I don’t really see him making the seniors so probably makes more sense.

*Given Blake (Australia) and Tuipolotu (Wales) are eligible for other nations, it would make sense to cap one in each game.

Chick might not be a glamorous pick but given his start to the season, he’s probably the form selection at 8.

6 and 7 are ridiculously competitive. Kenningham and Ilione are probably the most obvious selections to start but Harding (who is overdue a call-up for the As), Pearson and Reid are deserve a look in.

Obano’s unlikely to be in the senior picture for some reason (I think he’s better than Rodd) but with Brantingham yet to play this season, I can’t think of any other looseheads warranting a call-up?