Even though contemporary international rugby coaches frequently focus entirely on four-year World Cup windows, Rassie Erasmus has recently shown the global game that making a late entry into the international arena is highly achievable.
In his triumphant 2019 Springboks squad, players like Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, RG Snyman, and Kwagga Smith had not played a single Test match by 2018. Similarly, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, and Manie Libbok made their international debuts only in 2022, just a year before hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2023.
Back in 2015, Nehe Milner-Skudder earned his first cap for the All Blacks mere weeks prior to starting and crossing the try line in their 34-17 World Cup final triumph against Australia. Likewise, Herschel Jantjies, who came off the bench as South Africa’s scrum-half in the 2019 final, had only debuted at the international level a few months earlier. While not a path to replicate, Jean-Marc Doussain actually played his first match for France during the 2011 World Cup final.
Although team chemistry and seasoned experience are vital in international rugby, these examples demonstrate that players can successfully cement their positions on the big stage at any point during a World Cup cycle.
Amid a challenging season, this reality should offer substantial encouragement to England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, proving that a rapid turnaround is entirely possible. Furthermore, he has access to the talent needed to steer the team back in the right direction. Below are five uncapped prospects he might call upon this season:
Fixture
Nations Championship
England
Australia
1. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
Were it not for a severe knee laceration sustained by Northampton’s McParland during the first quarter of the Gallagher Premiership final, he likely would have earned a cap by now and been excluded from this list.
Instead, the 21-year-old was sidelined from Borthwick’s selection, but the race for England’s number nine shirt remains wide open. McParland’s club teammate Alex Mitchell has suffered another hamstring setback, while backup options Jack van Poortvliet and Ben Spencer have not yet fully secured their ownership of the starting or bench roles.
If he delivers another campaign of the same quality, McParland will undoubtedly be a strong candidate to travel to Australia in 2027.
2. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
Judging by the squads named for the Six Nations and Nations Championship, Borthwick appears highly keen to integrate Fisilau into the national team, though he is struggling to find the right opening.
The loose forward enjoyed an outstanding campaign last term, yet calling him up would require dropping an established star from England’s highly-rated back-row. With names like Ben Earl, Henry Pollock, Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill (once fit), and Courtney Lawes already vying for positions, the squad is highly competitive, and introducing Fisilau would make selection choices even more complex.
Nevertheless, his breakthrough moment will surely arrive.
3. Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath)
Surprise omissions are common in major tournament squads, and it is quite possible that veteran hookers like Jamie George (who turns 36 next year) or Luke Cowan-Dickie (who will be 34) might miss out on the final selection.
Conversely, Borthwick appears fully committed to utilizing this veteran duo for the tournament, leaving minimal game time for a third hooker. While Theo Dan currently fills that reserve role, another year of senior-level development for the highly rated Tuipulotu, who is approaching his 21st birthday, could see him break into the national setup.
Should George and Cowan-Dickie remain the primary choices for Australia, Tuipulotu could rapidly force his way into contention if he maintains his current upward curve.
4. Billy Sela (Bath)
When Will Stuart was sidelined with an Achilles tendon issue last year, it seemed inevitable that Sela, his Bath teammate, would secure his international debut. Ultimately, however, selection went to Joe Heyes, Trevor Davison, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, and George Kloska ahead of him.
Nonetheless, like Fisilau, the 21-year-old was integrated into the training groups for both the Six Nations and Nations Championship. Borthwick is evidently preparing him for international rugby; the only question is whether his chance will arrive before the next World Cup or afterwards.
5. Hoskins Sotutu (Newcastle Red Bulls)
A wild card in this selection, and a unique case in English rugby—there is widespread curiosity regarding the path ahead for this 14-cap former All Black, who qualifies for England.
What is confirmed is that the talented eighthman is transferring from the Blues to the Newcastle Red Bulls. Whether Borthwick intends to select him remains unclear, but he represents a proven international-caliber option at the back of the scrum—something England sorely lack following Tom Willis’ move to the Top 14 and Alex Dombrandt’s knee ligament injury.
Honourable mentions: With such intense competition in the loose trio, Jack Kenningham, Emeka Ilione, and Alfie Barbeary face a massive task to displace the incumbents. Similarly, Northampton’s George Hendy has shown form worthy of a test debut on the wing, but he would need to surpass an extensive list of contenders to secure a spot.
