England reveals 'A-Team' coaching panel

NEWS: England Under-20 coach Mark Mapletoft will take charge of the England ‘A’ squad against Australia ‘A’ during the year-end season.

The England ‘A’ side return to face Australia ‘A’ at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday, November 17.

In what is the first of two scheduled fixtures for the team this season, Ireland ‘A’ await England ‘A’ at Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday, February 23.

After guiding the U20 team to a ‘double’ Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship victory in 2024, Mapletoft is entrusted with the opportunity to head-up the programme in November as the England pathway strengthens its alignment across age groups.

The former Men ‘A’ and senior men’s international boasts a distinguished playing career at clubs such as Gloucester, Harlequins and London Irish, making his move into coaching alongside Nigel Redman in the RFU pathway in his first spell back in 2007.

Mapletoft then spent a decade at Harlequins before returning to England, firstly as U18 assistant coach, and then as U20 head coach as of May 2023.

Mapletoft will be accompanied by former England and British & Irish Lions international and current U20 Men assistant coach, Andy Titterrell, as the team’s designated forwards coach.

Additionally, the duo will be bolstered by the inclusion of pathway scrum coach Nathan Catt and key U20 Strength & Conditioning, Medical and Operational staff for the game.

Lee Blackett of Bath and Exeter Chiefs’ Haydn Thomas join the coaching ticket as attack and defence coaches, respectively.

Blackett had previous coaching stints at Rotherham Titans, Wasps and Scarlets before joining the Somerset side in 2023, whilst Chiefs’ senior coach Thomas played a crucial role in the England U20’s recent silverware as defensive coordinator.

The exciting coaching team was chosen by the RFU in consultation with Premiership Rugby, with the selection of the match day 23 determined by senior men’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, and RFU Executive Director of Performance Rugby, Conor O’Shea.

The England ‘A’ side provides a platform for players transitioning from the Premiership and pathway at U20 level to the senior men’s team, with the reintroduction of the side coming earlier on in 2024 with a 91-5 victory over Portugal after an eight-year absence.

Wider squad information regarding the upcoming fixtures will be communicated in due course.

Upon confirmation of his appointment, Mark Mapletoft commented: “It’s an honour to be asked to take on this role with England ‘A’ in November, I’m very proud and also grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility to preside over a very intriguing fixture.

“It’s important that the coaches and I maintain our work alongside Conor [O’Shea] and Steve [Borthwick] to ensure continued development for the best young players in our system. We want to demonstrate that we have a clear, linear progression for talent from age-grade to the pinnacle of English rugby.

“Just as with the other pathway and senior sides, we demand players embrace the opportunity and adapt to the England Rugby environment with new coaches and players. We can’t wait to get started.”

Conor O’Shea added: “We are excited to see Mark and Andy continue their pathway work with this team, with Lee and Haydn completing an outstanding coaching team. The ‘A’ team is and always will be a great development opportunity for coaches and players alike, and there will be a different group of coaches in place from the clubs for our ‘A’ game in February against Ireland when Mark and Andy are with the U20 Men during the Six Nations.

“The upcoming games offer a platform for emerging players in the English game and show a commitment to an ambitious, unified and winning England.

“Any fixture between England and Australia is special and we anticipate this game at The Stoop in November will be no different, both and on and off the pitch, as we look to inspire the next generation of England Rugby supporters.”