England’s urgent quest to fast-track a new generation of formidable forwards will be aided by the confirmation of another ‘A’ team fixture in the autumn, against Australia.
The RFU have announced that a national second-string side will be selected by Steve Borthwick to take on their Wallaby counterparts at The Stoop on Sunday, November 17.
The match will follow the senior England team’s clash with world champions South Africa, just across the road at Twickenham the previous day – and eight days after Borthwick’s leading men face Australia’s top team.
There has been a drive to revive the tradition of ‘A’ fixtures, which had been regarded as a useful development tool in the era when the team known as the ‘Saxons’ provided a stepping stone to Test rugby for emerging English talent.
After years of such matches being mothballed, England ‘A’ took on Portugal at Welford Road in February – storming to a 91-5 win against young, out-classed visitors. The back-up Wallabies should provide a sterner test.
After thrashing Portugal 91-5, England ‘A’ are set to face off against Australia ‘A’ in November
22-year-old Fin Baxter’s performance against Portugal for England ‘A’ helped him convince Steve Borthwick to select him for the senior squad and he excelled on the tour to New Zealand
The ‘A’ team has been revived from the ashes of the ‘Saxons’ team to help prepare young players for test rugby – Ex-England captain Dylan Hartley once followed that very pathway
That match in Leicester featured Fin Baxter in the home front row and helped to convince Borthwick that the rookie Harlequins prop was ready for a Test debut, which duly followed in New Zealand this month.
Baxter was a replacement in Dunedin and started against the All Blacks in Auckland – acquitting himself superbly in difficult circumstances.
Others who played against Portugal earned selection for the senior tour; Charlie Ewels, Joe Heyes and Harry Randall.
Before flying home from Auckland, Borthwick revealed that he will prioritise a search for massive new forwards, with a special focus on unearthing the next generation of England tighthead props.
The ‘A’ match could provide a launch pad for some of the junior front-row prospects who have helped propel England into the Under 20 World Cup Final on Friday, such as Asher Opoku-Fordjour of Sale, Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester) and Billy Sela (Bath).
For the Portugal match, Gloucester head coach George Skivington was assigned to run the England team and a management team for the Wallabies clash will be assembled by the RFU, in consultation with Premiership Rugby.
Current England assistant Richard Wigglesworth was another to have played for the ‘Saxons’
Current England and Saracens star Elliot Daly gained valuable experience with the ‘Saxons’
The union’s performance director, Conor O’Shea, said: ‘We are delighted to confirm this fixture.
‘England A is a great platform for the country’s next best players to showcase what they can do while representing the country. It gives Steve Borthwick and his staff the chance to see players outside of their club environment, and the players the opportunity to impress.
‘A fixture against an Australia A side will pit our players against really tough opposition, and work continues on to secure more playing time for the A team in the near future.’
