Latest news with #EnglandXV
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Seb Atkinson credits England call-up to 'freedom' at Gloucester
Seb Atkinson believes the 'freedom' he has been given by Gloucester's coaches this season has been key to his first senior England call-up. Atkinson has had a brilliant season for the Cherry & Whites and was one of 14 uncapped players in a recent training squad assembled by Steve Borthwick ahead of this summer's tour of Argentina and USA. The centre's stock has been rising for a while, having made his senior debut for Worcester in 2021, and he hopes to crown it with an international debut this summer. "You never expect a call-up, but I'm really proud," he said. 'Credit to the team and the coaching staff at Gloucester for what they've done this year. "They've given us the freedom and the exposure for me to play the way that I feel I play best, so cheers to them and hopefully I can keep moving forwards. "We had some dark times last year where people were frustrated, we weren't performing the way that we felt that we could, but credit to the coaches. "They gave us the opportunity to express ourselves and play freely. With the squad that we've got we've really taken that into our own hands this year and played some enjoyable rugby." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 The Bromsgrove native has taken the freedom and run with it, ranking top in carries, tackles, passes, and post-contact metres and second in total metres, line break assists, and try assists among Premiership centres this campaign. He also broke Beauden Barrett's 'bronco' test world record earlier this season, clocking in at four minutes and eight seconds. "I guess I can verify it," the centre said. "We did one during the Six Nations training block. I wasn't expecting that time at all. "Our training had been pushing us to a level where I was able to achieve that, but I still surprised myself by a good 20 seconds or so." The coming tour to the Americas, which is preceded by a clash with a France XV on June 21, could be Atkinson's springboard into a long and impressive international career if he transfers his domestic performance into an England shirt. Steve Borthwick knows how important these tours can be and has identified Argentina as an opportunity for players to put their hand up. "The example you'd use would be 2017,' he said. 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement they bring is really, really impressive." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Gloucester's Afolabi Fasogbon aiming for England debut
The powerhouse Gloucester prop, 20, has been a regular feature in the Cherry & Whites pack across the campaign and is among four players nominated for the Breakthrough Player of the Season prize at The Rugby Awards. Fasogbon was among 14 uncapped players named in a 33-man England training squad before the final round of regular season domestic fixtures and hopes to make the step up to international level over the course of a busy summer. An England XV will take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21 before two Tests in Argentina and one against USA in Washington DC. 'Touring Argentina would be a dream come true,' Fasogbon said. 'It would be a stepping stone in my journey and it would mean the world to me. 'I have heard a lot about the step up from Premiership to Test matches, which is insane, and I want to get a feel of Test match rugby. I want to throw myself in the deep end and see how I do. 'I loved my first time in camp. It was great to be around some idols and familiar faces. 'It's my first season in the Prem and it has been really cool. 'We've had some new stuff in attack thanks to James Lightfoot Brown, who has been unreal. Some of the stuff he's introducing, boys from other teams have complimented that.' Fasogbon gained headlines in October when he 'waved off' Ellis Genge during Gloucester's clash with Bristol Bears and he could now be set to benefit from Genge's British & Irish Lions call-up, with vacancies available in the front row. The Surrey-born starlet is part of a new generation of props hoping to seize that opportunity, with Asher Opoku-Fordjour – who joined Fasogbon in the England Under-20s squad who became world champions last summer – also part of the recent training camp. The pair were alongside by Henry Pollock in the all-conquering age-group squad and the flanker's progression to the Lions squad has not taken Fasogbon by surprise – as well as giving him something to aim for. 'It was a special group to be part of,' he said. 'You can see some of the boys have gone on to do unreal things – Asher has been capped at senior level, Pollock is heading on to the Lions. It was no surprise we won with the work everyone put in and how we all pushed each other to be better. 'Pollock has the world at his feet, it (Lions selection) is absolutely no surprise. He works hard and he has a good personality for it, I hope he goes well. He's funny, he's interesting, and I get on well with him. I think he's class.' England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
South Wales Argus
26-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Rekeiti Ma'asi-White sets his sights on England debut
The 22-year-old centre, known for his intensely physical playing style, has been touted as a possible replacement for the injured Ollie Lawrence after his brilliant form for Sale Sharks of late. Ma'asi-White has scored three tries in as many Premiership matches and received recognition for his fine form with a place in a 33-man training squad who gathered at Pennyhill Park this week. "Alex Sanderson and Byron McGuigan were pushing me to reach these camps and hopefully put my hand up," Ma'asi-White said. 'I think I've definitely put my hand up, but ultimately it's up to Steve Borthwick. "I have only ever focused on what I can control, and just keep progressing, get the head down and graft." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 Ma'asi-White made his professional debut for Wasps in 2022 and was quickly snapped up by Sale after the Coventry side's demise. He has impressed his coaches with his incredible raw power and was pleased to see a familiar face in the form of former Sharks star McGuigan, among England's coaching staff in the two-day camp, to help him settle in during his maiden international experience. "Having Byron here has helped,' he said. 'It's nice to see some faces that you know. It gives you a bit of confidence especially within the coaching staff. "I'm super stoked for Byron to get this role and I'm sure he'll do a great job, too.' Ma'asi-White was among 14 uncapped players who were named in the training squad and hopes he will be able to advance his case in the Premiership play-offs with Sale Sharks. Having been beaten finalists two years ago and departed at the semi-final stage last year, Sharks are bidding to go one better this time around but need to beat Exeter on the final day to make sure of their spot in the top four. 'There's obviously a bit of nerves and pressure around because we've got to get the five points to secure our place in the play-offs but we'll be all guns firing,' he said. 'It'll be tough going away to Sandy Park, but we've just got to make sure we're not desperate for the five points and play our game plan.' With a wide array of midfield options available to Steve Borthwick ahead of the Argentina and America tour, Ma'asi-White's last opportunity to secure his spot on tour will be when an England XV take on a France XV at Allianz Stadium on June 21. Borthwick said: "We know France will have some players unavailable for selection, as we will. "We also know the depth they have in their country and in their squad. We spoke prior to the Six Nations as some of our clubs had had tough games against French opponents, so they went in with a lot of confidence against us. 'It is an important step for us and we are looking forward to playing in front of our own fans at Allianz Stadium." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
Leader Live
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Cunningham-South winning fitness battle ahead of big summer
The Harlequins starlet may only be 22 but his 16 caps made him one of the more experienced players in the 33-man training squad who gathered at Pennyhill Park in the week. Cunningham-South was there to continue his rehabilitation from a calf injury and he is excited about what the young group can do in the tour of Argentina and the USA. "Where we can go next as a team is exciting," he said. "We've got a lot of young boys coming through, which is excellent, and I'm just excited to be a part of it, to be honest. "There's lots of new competition, given all the new lads around, and everyone wants to play, so it'll be good. "I'm just continuing my rehab and hopefully it keeps progressing so I'm ready for the summer. It's getting better, and I ran on Monday, so I'm there." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 Cunningham-South has become an increasingly prominent part of Steve Borthwick's plans, with his ability to cover second row and back row proving invaluable. He scored twice against Australia last autumn and repeated the trick against Wales in Round 5 of the Six Nations earlier this year. Though Cunningham-South's place on the summer tour may therefore seem inevitable, he could arrive having not played any rugby for two months if he misses Harlequins' final game of the Premiership season against Bristol Bears. The England XV v France XV game at Allianz Stadium on June 21 would therefore become crucial for Cunningham-South's readiness to face a top-class Argentina side. England last faced Los Pumas away from home in 2017, a tour that proved crucial to the development of the likes of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, with Cunningham-South hoping to follow in their footsteps this time around. Borthwick said: 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. 'I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement these young players bring is really, really impressive." England XV face France XV at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 21 June at 3:15pm. Tickets from £25, please visit
Powys County Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Cunningham-South winning fitness battle ahead of big summer
Chandler Cunningham-South believes he is winning his fitness battle as he bids to play a prominent part in England's busy summer schedule. The Harlequins starlet may only be 22 but his 16 caps made him one of the more experienced players in the 33-man training squad who gathered at Pennyhill Park in the week. Cunningham-South was there to continue his rehabilitation from a calf injury and he is excited about what the young group can do in the tour of Argentina and the USA. "Where we can go next as a team is exciting," he said. "We've got a lot of young boys coming through, which is excellent, and I'm just excited to be a part of it, to be honest. "There's lots of new competition, given all the new lads around, and everyone wants to play, so it'll be good. "I'm just continuing my rehab and hopefully it keeps progressing so I'm ready for the summer. It's getting better, and I ran on Monday, so I'm there." Join us at @allianz_stad as England XV take on France XV 👊 Get your tickets now 👇 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 23, 2025 Cunningham-South has become an increasingly prominent part of Steve Borthwick's plans, with his ability to cover second row and back row proving invaluable. He scored twice against Australia last autumn and repeated the trick against Wales in Round 5 of the Six Nations earlier this year. Though Cunningham-South's place on the summer tour may therefore seem inevitable, he could arrive having not played any rugby for two months if he misses Harlequins' final game of the Premiership season against Bristol Bears. The England XV v France XV game at Allianz Stadium on June 21 would therefore become crucial for Cunningham-South's readiness to face a top-class Argentina side. England last faced Los Pumas away from home in 2017, a tour that proved crucial to the development of the likes of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, with Cunningham-South hoping to follow in their footsteps this time around. Borthwick said: 'Players emerged in that series against Argentina and really staked their claim two years out from the World Cup and became really important, influential players for England at the 2019 World Cup. "I have no doubt there will be players who emerge and stake their claim this summer, and say 'I want to be part of that team in 2027'. 'I'm looking forward to that. The enthusiasm, the energy and the excitement these young players bring is really, really impressive."
