What you need to know about England A v Australia A

England A takes on Australia A Sunday 17 November at Twickenham stoop

Name Changes

England A was previously known as England B, Emerging England and most recently England Saxons. 

England's second team was known as England B until 1992, when it was renamed as England A. In 2000, as part of its long-term strategic plan, the RFU re-examined the role of the 'second team' and decided that a change of name was desirable. Several names were considered – e.g. England Aces and England Bloods – before the name England Saxons was chosen from a short-list of possibles. The change of name took effect from mid-May 2006, just before the start of that year's Churchill Cup. They reverted to England A in May 2021.

Australia A was officially formed in 2001 as part of the 2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, Australia A played host to the British & Irish Lions in a mid-week game.

In 2024 Australia A have played against Bristol Bears to a 10 all draw. This will be England A's first match of 2024.