Blackett: Argentina the goal for these A players

LEE Blackett has told his England A players to put themselves in the shop window for the senior tour to Argentina this summer when they take on Ireland at Ashton Gate today.

- By PAUL REES

England are likely to provide a sizeable contingent to the Lions in Australia leaving gaps for the trip to South America. It was the same eight years ago when Tom Curry and Sam Underhill made their debuts in Argentina.

“Coaching the A side is a great challenge,” said Blackett, Bath’s attack coach. “How cohesive can we make make a team in a week? I had the experience of being the attack coach against Australia A in November and it was good to know then I would be the head coach this week.

“It is something to relish and you learn from players who come from different clubs as well as the coaches. It is our job to make sure that our messaging is simple and that means only going after a couple of things rather than trying to do too much.

“You have to prioritise what will put the players in the best position to put their hands up for the senior side. It is about giving them the chance to put themselves in the frame for the back end of the Six Nations or the Argentina tour when I am sure there will be several English guys away with the Lions.”

England head coach Steve Borthwick, who picked the 23, places great store on the A team as a stepping stone between the club game and the national side.