England A Triumphs Over Australia A, Murley Scores Twice

Harlequins wing Cadan Murley scored two tries, contributing to England A’s comfortable victory over Australia A at Twickenham Stoop, a match where England A delivered a strong second-half performance. This brings Murley’s total for England A this year to five tries. The final score was England A 38, with tries from Heyes, Murley (2), Langdon, Fisilau, and Muir, alongside two conversions each from Atkinson and Shillcock. Australia A scored 17 points, including tries from Reimer and Van Nek, conversions from Lynagh and McLaughlin-Phillips, and a penalty from Lynagh, having led 10-5 at halftime. Mark Mapletoft’s England A team initiated the scoring with a try from Leicester Tigers prop Joe Heyes. However, the Australian visitors swiftly countered, with flanker Luke Reimer scoring following a powerful maul. England A exerted sustained pressure towards the close of the first half but were prevented from adding to their initial try by Australia A’s effective defence. Australia A maintained their lead at halftime, primarily due to five points contributed by fly-half Tom Lynagh. The reintroduction of ‘A’ team fixtures, after an eight-year hiatus, occurred with a 91-5 win against Portugal in February. These matches are intended to help bridge the gap between Premiership and Test rugby. This particular fixture showcased a blend of emerging talent, featuring members of England’s recent Under-20 World Cup-winning squad, alongside senior international players aiming to make an impression on head coach Steve Borthwick before his team’s final autumn international match against Japan next Sunday. England A captain Fraser Dingwall, who earned his first senior cap against Italy in this year’s Six Nations, commented to Premier Sports: “This week was about getting a group together in a short period of time, getting them to enjoy the week, build some connections and come away with the win.” He further added, regarding the England senior team: “It [the England senior team] is always something I am striving towards, I had a little taste in the Six Nations this year and I am desperate to get back there.” Murley, who previously scored a hat-trick against Portugal, executed a precise finish in the corner early in the second half. This try marked a turning point as England’s attack began to cohere, following a well-placed offload from his club team-mate, Oscar Beard. Subsequently, replacement hooker Curtis Langdon scored, giving the host team control after a decisive connection between Henry Pollock and Gabriel Ibitoye created a clear break. Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock, aged 19, was named player of the match for his dynamic performance. Another powerful carry by Pollock directly led to a straightforward try for Greg Fisilau. Pollock stated: “I am at my best when I am enjoying my rugby.” He added: “We are the second-string team and I think a lot of the boys put their hands up.” Although Rhys van Nek’s try offered Australia a glimmer of hope for a comeback, Will Muir of Bath intercepted a looping pass and ran clear, with Murley then completing the scoring for England A. A subsequent fixture is scheduled for February, when England A will face Ireland A at Ashton Gate in Bristol. The England A squad included: Carpenter; Murley, Beard, Dingwall (captain), Ibitoye; Atkinson, Porter; Opoku-Fordjour, Oghre, Heyes, Tizard, Clark, Pearson, Pollock, T Willis. Replacements were: Langdon, Iyogun, Fasogbon, Tuima, Fisilau, McParland, Shillcock, Muir. The Australia A squad comprised: Campbell; Toole, Walton, Stewart, Lancaster; Lynagh, Lonergan (captain); Hoopert, Nasser, De Lutiis, Smith, Canham, Hooper, Reimer, Brial. Replacements were: Lonergan, Lambert, Van Nek, Blyth, Scott, Fines-Leleiwasa, McLaughlin-Phillips, Sapsford. The match referee was Eoghan Cross.