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Next season's 'England abroad XV' will be worryingly good
This match-day squad made up of England rugby talent playing abroad – as of next season – showcases the significant talent drain from the Gallagher Premiership in recent times.
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Brimming with seasoned internationals and promising talents yet to earn their Test stripes, it demonstrates just how much English player power is heading abroad; and makes for an eye-watering-ly strong 23.
1. Hayden Thompson-Stringer
The former England U20s and Saracens loosehead is currently at Australian Super Rugby Pacific side the Waratahs.
2. Jack Singleton
With just four caps, Singleton has had limited opportunities to establish himself within the England setup but has shown potential when called upon. He’s currently on loan with Toulon although RugbyPass understands he could well be returning to the Premiership next season.
3. Kyle Sinckler
Sinckler had been a crucial member of the England team for the best part of a decade, contributing significantly in both the scrum and open play, amassing 68 caps. However, mediocre form has seen him slip down the pecking order. He’ll be at Toulon next season.
4. Dave Ribbans
Had eleven caps to his name before deciding to up sticks for Toulon. The 6’7, 116kg second row was just getting going at Test level with England but opted for a lucrative French deal instead of staying put at Northampton.
5. Courtney Lawes
With over 100 Test caps, Lawes has been a seemingly eternal presence in England’s forward pack over the years and has even been tipped to star again for the British & Irish Lions next season. He’s headed to Brive next season after over a 16 years at Franklin’s Gardens.
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6. Jack Willis
Despite a promising start, injuries and a move to Toulouse have limited Willis to just 14 England caps. He decided to stay with the French giants even though it’s ended his Test career for now.
7. Sam Simmonds
With 16 caps, Simmonds had impressed with his pace and power from the back of the scrum for a struggling Montpellier. Although normally a No.8, we’ve moved him to 7 to accommodate the next player on the list.
8. Billy Vunipola
A key figure in the England back row down through the year, Vunipola has over 75 caps, known for his ball-carrying ability and physicality. He’s leaving Saracens for Montpellier at the end of the season.
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9. Jack Maunder
The former Exeter Chiefs halfback is playing his rugby at crisis-hit Melbourne Rebels, who are reportedly struggling to stay afloat.
10. Owen Farrell
Undoubtedly the biggest transfer of the season, Farrell has 112 caps for England and although he’s signed for Stuart Lancaster’s Racing 92, he’s said he hasn’t given up on making an England return.
11. Henry Arundell
One of England’s most exciting talents, Arundell has earned 10 caps, showing his electrifying pace and scoring ability with a few cameos at the Rugby World Cup. Moved to Racing 92 at the start of this season but is very much seen as a future prospect for England in the Test arena.
12. Piers Francis
Francis has appeared in nine Tests for England, offering versatility in the midfield but has struggled to secure a regular starting position before falling out of Test selection. Not playing at the brilliantly named Kurita Water Gush Akishima in Japan.
13. Manu Tuilagi
When not injured, Tuilagi has been a powerful force in England’s midfield for well over a decade. He’s signed for Bayonne after spending his entire career to date in the Gallagher Premiership. He’s probably played his last Test for England.
14. Joe Marchant
Marchant is playing for Stade Francais after an on-again, off-again ‘situationship’ with England came to an end last year. He’s just 27, so has plenty of time to return should he want another crack.
15. Jack Nowell
With 46 caps, Nowell has been a versatile and hard-working player for England before deciding to head to France. Has been bedevilled by injuries and hasn’t played to much for his new club as a result.
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16. Sean McNulty
Although he came up in the Irish system, McNulty was born in London and English qualified. He currently plays for the Miami Sharks MLR franchise.
17. Mako Vunipola
Vunipola announced his retirement from Test rugby earlier this year and there are rumours that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season. There are also rumours linking him with a move to France.
18. Will Collier
With just 2 caps, Collier has had limited exposure at the international level. He’ll be at Castres next season.
19. Alex Moon
Moon is also uncapped but was in the England mix until he signed for Bayonne.
20. Lewis Ludlam
Unlucky not to make the starting 15, Ludlam has proven to be a resilient and energetic flanker for England. With 25 caps he looked to be on the verge of a lengthy career before agreeing to join Toulon.
21. Willi Heinz
Although an elder statesman at 37, Heinz is currently on the books with Crusaders back in the country of his birth.
22. Zack Henry
Henry has been enjoying life at Pau since leaving Leicester Tigers.
22. Matt Gallagher
Gallagher has yet to feature for England, still looking for his first cap at the international level. He’s leaving Bath for Benetton at the end of the season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments