Ex-Maori All Black Max Hicks named in 30-man England A squad to face Argentina XV

New Zealand-born forward Max Hicks, a former Maori All Black and Highlanders player, has been named in a 30-man England A training squad for Friday’s match against Argentina XV at The Rec in Bath on 6 November, kick-off 19:45.

Hicks, who joined Newcastle Red Bulls from Perpignan during the summer, qualifies for England through his Cornish mother and has quickly established himself in the Red Bulls pack during his first Gallagher Premiership campaign. The hybrid flanker/lock is one of six players called into Mark Mapletoft’s A set-up for the first time, alongside Lucas Friday, Alex O’Driscoll, James Pater, Will Knight and Will Trenholm.

Bristol Bears back-row Fitz Harding will captain the side for a second time, having led England A to a 29-25 victory over Spain last year.

Mapletoft has also drawn on eight senior England internationals: Jamie Blamire, Charlie Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Joe Carpenter, George Kloska, Luke Northmore, Max Ojomoh and Ethan Roots. Blamire is the most experienced of the group with seven Test caps, while Exeter Chiefs back-row Roots has four. Caluori, Kloska, Northmore and Ojomoh have two caps each, with Atkinson and Carpenter capped once.

Current England U20 players Pater and Knight have also been selected, and recent age-grade graduates Caluori and Friday continue their progression through the national pathway. In total, 19 members of the squad have previously represented England at U18 or U20 level.

England A training squad

Forwards: Ben Bamber, Joe Batley, Jamie Blamire, Afolabi Fasogbon, Fitz Harding (c), Max Hicks, Will Hobson, Nathan Jibulu, Jack Kenningham, George Kloska, Tom Lockett, Alex O’Driscoll, Sam Riley, Ethan Roots, Will Trenholm, Archie van der Flier.

Backs: Charlie Atkinson, Orlando Bailey, Noah Caluori, Joe Carpenter, Tobias Elliott, Caolan Englefield, Lucas Friday, George Hendy, Will Knight, Luke Northmore, Max Ojomoh, James Pater, Billy Searle, Will Wand.