Opinion: Five players that have to be involved in England A against New Zealand and Spain

It has been over a year and a half since England A’s last outing, a 91-5 thrashing of a second string Portugal side. But with their return scheduled for this weekend against an All Blacks XV in Bath and a trip to Spain the week after, who is next in line?

1.Nathan Jibulu

How on earth did Harlequins let this man go? Signing for Sale this season to be the understudy to Luke Cowan-Dickie was a really smart move for the young hooker. His tenacious ball carrying and fancy footwork have earned him over 80 post contact metres so far this season, which has put him up there with the league’s best. 

A menace in the loose ☄️

An impressive performance from @SaleSharksRugby's Nathan Jibulu last night 👏 pic.twitter.com/pIvwkgMbVY

— PREM Rugby (@premrugby) October 11, 2025

The England u20’s international has also been a menace without the ball, with five dominant tackles and an 88% completion rate in bringing down opponents as well. Complementing that with four tries across six games, he’s got a strike rate that most wingers would be proud of.

2.Ethan Roots

The flanker has been instrumental in Exeter Chiefs return to a bit of form this season, helping bring back the famed power game that the Cornwall based side is known for. He has carried the ball 43 times this year and found himself making just over 110 metres. After moving to the UK from New Zealand after COVID, the sizeable back rower is equally adept at either six or seven, but could find himself on the blindside due to England’s never ending stocks of opensides.

He’s not known for breaking tackles, but the sheer size of the man means that he is hard to put down, and with the A side a stepping stone to the first team, Steve Borthwick will be watching.

3.Will Joseph

Another talent that has somehow slipped the Harlequins net and he has become accustomed to scoring worldies at Gloucester after signing this season. Brother of former England international Jonathon Joseph, the outside centre looks a carbon copy of his brother with his electrifying footwork.

He earned try of the week after a stunner against Northampton in round 2 of the Prem, and in the very same game, made a wonderful break inside his own half to assist another try. With 4 tries to his name and over 190 post-contact metres, he’s proved invaluable to a struggling Gloucester side.

Two words for this guy. Box office.

4. Adam Radwan

I would be very surprised if this man is not the fastest winger in the Prem, maybe even the world, I mean who else can say they have run 100 metres in 10.72 seconds? 

He has amassed over 145 post contact metres and scored four tries with the help of this very speed. His dazzling footwork may not have been associated with the Leicester Tigers game a few years ago, but he has proved us all wrong, averaging over 3 defenders beaten per game. The 27 year old scored a hat-trick on his England debut four years ago against Canada, it’s a bit of a mystery why he has rarely been called back into action.

Whatever the reason England are quite literally suffering from success with their wingers these last few years.

5.Noah Calouri

Another winger to finish off the list, and very few have burst onto the scene like Calouri. The 19 year old Saracens winger scored a stunner off the bench against Newcastle in Round 1 of the Prem and has recently been included (since released) in Borthwicks Quilter Nations series squad.

Scoring five tries in one game against Bristol is almost unheard of, but that isn’t really what has caught most people’s eye. The sheer athletic ability this guy has is incredible; in another life, he is easily a long jumper or a high jumper. His rugby IQ is also really impressive, winning four turnovers and 16 defenders beaten across five games for Saracens and one for Ampthill.

Noah Calouri on his @premrugby debut 🤯

The England U20 Men’s star announcing his arrival in style!#PremRugbypic.twitter.com/1L3EHyYLri

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 26, 2025

I understand he has only played well for the start of this season whereas others on and off the list have played well for longer. But he is in so much good form, get him involved.