Head coach Mark Mapletoft has named Ben Bamber and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White on the replacements bench for England Men’s A team’s game against All Blacks XV this Saturday (13:15 GMT kick-off).
The Sharks pair will start the game at Bath’s Recreation Ground on a strong bench which includes Leicester winger Adam Radwan and Bristol skipper Fitz Harding.
Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu misses out on the matchday squad for this fixture but will hope to be involved next Saturday when England A take on Spain in Valladolid.
Ethan Roots will lead the side this weekend following Joe Batley and his partner welcoming their second child. Batley will link up with the team on Thursday in preparation for the fixture.
Bath Rugby centre Max Ojomoh has been awarded the vice-captaincy role whilst representing his country at his club’s home stadium.
Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints) has linked up with the England A squad and start with Batley in the second-row, following on from training with Steve Borthwick’s senior men’s team this week.
Harding of Bristol Bears is set for his first representative fixture for a pathway or senior England team if utilised off the bench, with potential first England A involvements for replacements Kepu Tuipulotu, Vilikesa Sela, Ma’asi-White and Radwan.
The selection of the wider squad and matchday 23 is a cooperative approach made in consultation with head coach Mark Mapletoft and determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.
England Men’s A vs. All Blacks XV will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage starting at 13:00 GMT.
Mark Mapletoft said: “Everyone’s buy-in this week has been second-to-none, squad and staff have been adaptable and prepared excellently in our unique turnaround. Building togetherness has been key, and I believe we have achieved that.
“Our aim is to create an environment where players can learn to win and increase that window for development, and this All Blacks XV side will test our players in a high-pressure international arena.
“This fixture is a challenge for our team but in equal measure, a prime opportunity for everyone to push on for senior honours. We want them to step up and take their shot this Saturday.”
A limited number of tickets are still available to purchase for the All Blacks XV match via this link, with adult tickets starting from £25 and kids (U16) from £15. Booking fees apply.
England Men’s A matchday squad to face All Blacks XV (includes current club, community club and senior caps)
15 Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs, Vale of Lune RUFC, uncapped)
14 Noah Caluori (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby, uncapped)
13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, uncapped)
12 Max Ojomoh (vc) (Bath Rugby, Chippenham RFC, 1 cap)
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins (Leicester Tigers, Newbury RFC, 2 caps)
10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, Oxford RFC, 1 cap)
9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, uncapped)
1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, Southend RFC, uncapped)
2 Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers, Workington RFC, 7 caps)
3 Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Saracens Amateur RFC, uncapped)
4 Tom Lockett (Northampton Saints, Colchester RFC, uncapped)
5 Joe Batley (Bristol Bears, Gosport and Fareham RFC, uncapped)
6 Ethan Roots (c) (Exeter Chiefs, East Coast Bays RFC, 4 caps)
7 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, Bromyard Rugby Club, 1 cap)
8 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, Devonport Services RFC, uncapped)
Replacements
16 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby, Cwmbran RFC, uncapped)
17 Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers, Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped)
18 Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, uncapped)
19 Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks, Langworthy Reds ARLFC, uncapped)
20 Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears, Beaconsfield RFC, uncapped)
21 Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby, Old Rutlishians Rugby, uncapped)
22 Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks, Ampthill RUFC, uncapped)
23 Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers, Billingham RUFC, 2 caps)
England Men’s A confirmed 2025/26 fixtures
Saturday 8th November 2025 – England A vs. All Blacks XV – The Recreation Ground, Bath, 13:15 GMT kick-off
Saturday 15th November 2025 – Spain vs. England A – Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid, 16:00 GMT kick-off
