England winger makes surprise return after expressing desire to play for Wales
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England A squad announced for Ireland clash – with one player eyeing a shock switch to Wales
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
England A have named a 25-man squad ahead of their showdown with Ireland A at Ashton Gate on Sunday, February 23 (13:00 GMT).
After a dominant 38-17 victory over Australia A last November, the second-string England side will be looking to build momentum, with a mix of experienced names and rising stars included in the squad.
Senior stars add firepower
Four players in the squad have already earned senior England caps, including Leicester Tigers duo Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack van Poortvliet, as well as Northampton Saints’ Curtis Langdon and Tom Pearson.
A dozen players in the squad have already represented England A in their 2024 fixtures against Portugal or Australia A, while 21 of the 25 players boast caps at age-grade level in the England Rugby Men's Pathway.
New boss at the helm
Bath Rugby's Lee Blackett has been named head coach for the fixture, stepping up from his previous role. He'll be joined by Exeter Chiefs’ Haydn Thomas (defence coach), Red Roses’ Louis Deacon (forwards coach), and Northampton Saints’ Matt Ferguson (scrum coach).
Blackett was clearly relishing the challenge, saying:
"It's an honour to be a part of this team once again, even more so having now been trusted to lead it. The talent we have at our disposal is a real indication of the strength of the Premiership right now."
Hassell-Collins eyes Wales switch?
One of the biggest talking points is Leicester Tigers winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, who has made it clear that if England don't come calling soon, he's open to switching allegiance to Wales.
Despite earning two caps in the 2023 Six Nations, Hassell-Collins has been left out in the cold by Steve Borthwick. With Welsh ancestry on his side, he'll be eligible for Warren Gatland's squad by 2026 – and the Wales boss has already hinted he'd welcome him with open arms.
Speaking about his future, Hassell-Collins admitted:
"I have seen Gatland's interview. I've got two caps for England, and obviously I'm English. But if I don't see anything in the next few years, then it's definitely something I would consider."
England A squad to face Ireland A
Forwards
- Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby)
- Phil Brantingham (Saracens)
- Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs)
- Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
- Luke Green (Northampton Saints)
- Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints)
- Jack Kenningham (Harlequins)
- George Kloska (Bristol Bears)
- Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
- Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints)
- Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears)
- Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
- Hugh Tizard (Saracens)
Backs
- Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
- Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby)
- Will Butt (Bath Rugby)
- Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
- Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
- Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
- George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
- Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
- Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby)
- Will Porter (Harlequins)
- Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
- Joseph Woodward (Leicester Tigers)
England A coaching staff for Ireland A fixture
- Lee Blackett – Head Coach and Attack Coach
- Haydn Thomas – Defence Coach
- Louis Deacon – Forwards Coach
Six England stars who could switch nations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup
Under the revised rules, players can represent a new nation if they've gone three years without a Test cap and have a qualifying birthright through a parent or grandparent.
While some players have hinted at potential switches, others are already positioning themselves for a move. Here are six England stars who could pull on a different jersey in 2027.
Ollie Hassell-Collins – From the Rose to the Dragon?
Ollie Hassell-Collins has made it clear—if England don't come calling soon, he's open to switching to Wales.
The Leicester Tigers winger, capped twice by England in the 2023 Six Nations, has been frozen out under Steve Borthwick. But with Welsh ancestry on his side, he'll qualify for Warren Gatland's squad in early 2026.
Gatland himself has already hinted he'd welcome Hassell-Collins into the Welsh camp, and the speedster hasn't ruled it out either.
“I have seen Gatland's interview. I've got two caps for England, and obviously I'm English. But if I don't see anything in the next few years then it's definitely something that I would consider.”
With Wales on the hunt for attacking firepower, a switch to the valleys could be on the cards.
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