RFU plans to reintroduce England 'A Team'

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NIK SIMON: A ‘team revival’ will build depth as RFU plans to reintroduce England ‘A Team’ in order to bolster depth ahead of 2027 World Cup

  • RFU planning to introduce an ‘A Team’ after its previous success to help depth
  • England secured a bronze medal at the World Cup this year, beating Argentina
  • Veterans Dan Cole and Joe Marler will not be around for the 2027 World Cup

The RFU are advancing plans to re-introduce the England ‘A team’ — formerly known as the Saxons — to help build depth for the 2027 World Cup.

Mail Sport understands Premiership clubs have been sounded out about the possibility of a prominent role for the renamed national team over the new four-year cycle.

They could provide fixtures for tier two nations in the Americas, Europe, Africa and beyond, while also bridging the gap between the Under 20s and the senior team.

The A team have played only once in eight years and this has been highlighted as a reason behind the lack of depth in the senior squad.

Former forwards coach Matt Proudfoot told Mail Sport that reserve fixtures would be the best way to strengthen their supply of props.

With multiple players set to retire, Steve Borthwick will now look to a new age of English rugby, with many young stars coming through the ranks

England’s players and staff were presented with bronze medals after the game 

Ben Youngs will retire from international rugby after England’s win over Argentina

‘I think they need A tours again,’ he said. ‘That’s crucial. The quicker we get to a point where tier one teams are touring tier two countries with their A teams will benefit both environments. You can see the development of tier two teams who have had that opportunity. Sending a team to South America, to Fiji, to Tonga, to Portugal is crucial.

‘For me, it’s how much exposure does someone like Joe Hayes get over the next four years. You only play 12 Test matches a year so you want Will Stuart playing 48 Test matches by the next World Cup. How does the second and third tighthead get the same experience?

‘There isn’t one tighthead in the world who can play 80 minutes at the intensity of last week. The Under 20s doesn’t really expose guys to the challenges of the set-piece. There has to be opportunities for those guys to go away from home where its uncomfortable and play in Mendoza, Tbilisi, Montevideo, Suva where the crowd is shouting at you.’

Veterans Dan Cole and Joe Marler will not be around for the 2027 World Cup but Proudfoot believes the next-in-line are ready to step up.

It was a hard fought win for England, with Farrell (centre) kicking four penalties versus Pumas

Ben Earl scored as England claimed a 26-23 victory against Argentina to claim the bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup 

He added: ‘If you look at props, they only really mature scrummaging wise around their 30s. Through the World Cup the props that are really able to absorb and apply pressure are the other side of 30.

‘Props have got to earn that by playing a lot of games. I think Ellis Genge and Will Stuart will be exceptional through the next World Cup cycle. Luke Cowan-Dickie will be there too. In the last seven or eight minutes of the game, when scrums are a focal point, you need that experience. Building depth is the crucial part. For the Springboks, that process started in 2018.

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