England face a tough block in November’s leg of the Nations Championship, with Australia, Japan and the All Blacks pencilled in across the month, but it could also be a time for Steve Borthwick to call up some fresh faces.
A number of up-and-coming stars or even freshly-arrived English-qualified players have made a strong start to the domestic season, which could tempt the England boss into drafting them straight into his senior Test squad next month.
Importantly, this could also be a good time to stress-test some options ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year, but which ones are higher up on the list? Here is our take on some of the leading uncapped options heading into next month’s Tests.
George Barton
Has to be in the conversation now, surely? The Gloucester full-back is in the form of his life right now, which comes at a very good time to get right into the England picture.
George Barton’s ability to step in as that extra linking player in back-field is exactly what England want out of their full-back within Lee Blackett’s attack, but he is also really stepping things up on the carrying front with some properly powerful charges. He is also automatic off the kicking tee, which is always a good thing at Test level.
England do have decent options in his position, but his form is pushing him right into the picture.
Nathan Jibulu
England are starting to look for their next cab off the rank at hooker, with veteran Jamie George coming to the end of his Test career, so could this be the time to bring Nathan Jibulu into the fold?
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The Sale hooker has been one of the standout performers in the league this season, boasting two man of the match gongs for his troubles. Both of those displays inspired Sale to victories as well, and that should certainly count for something.
Crucially, he seems to have that blend of nuts-and-bolts work at the set-piece, particularly in the lineout, and sheer power around the park that you need from a Test-level hooker.
At 23, he is also the right sort of age profile to make him a long-term part of the squad, which is exactly what England need to be doing at hooker right now. It does seem to make sense, and will be one to watch ahead of the squad announcement.
Max Hicks
Quite a big left-field shout here, considering he is only in his first season in the PREM, but Max Hicks could be a wonderful addition to the England group.
The New Zealand-born back-rower, who qualifies through ancestry, has been very impressive for Newcastle Red Bulls in his maiden season at the club, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in the PREM along the way.
Borthwick has changed tack at blindside in recent times, looking for a big-bopper to fill that void, and Hicks is exactly that. His height makes him a quality lineout option, but he also has strong fundamentals around the park and is equally effective on both sides of the ball.
England are not short on back-row talent, even with the injury concerns in that department right now, but Hicks would certainly be a good addition to the squad.
Archie van der Flier
There is a gap in the England loosehead charts heading into the Nations Championship with Bevan Rodd out of action, which could open the door for Archie van der Flier to come into the senior squad.
The Leicester prop is certainly on Borthwick’s radar, being called into senior camp ahead of the July tour and previously featuring for England A, and he could be catching his attention again this season.
Van der Flier also seems to be maturing more and more as the games go on, something which has no doubt been sped up by his time within the England set-ups, and that is an impressive skill for a young prop to have. Around that, the 24-year-old is showing strong scrummaging in a big Leicester pack and gets around the park well, something Borthwick likes from his front-rowers.
James Pater
He has been handed an opportunity with the Saints this year following the departure of George Furbank and has taken it with both hands after a string of impressive performances.
He just looks every inch the ready-made replacement for the England international, almost a carbon copy, if you will, combining that playmaking skillset with a desire to carry through space; and that’s exactly what Borthwick wants from his full-backs.
Pater is such an exciting talent and bringing him into the senior squad for the Nations Championship would only fast-track his development.
Arthur Green
England could be on the lookout for a big ball-carrying number eight ahead of the Nations Championship, and Arthur Green could certainly be that option. The Bath forward has been in red-hot form for his side in recent weeks, which is made even more noteworthy considering Bath’s tepid form in that time.
Green is not quite a throwback number eight, with his ability to burst through the line and motor up the pitch, but he does have that proper dog in him when it comes to the nitty-gritty. That is a skill not often seen in young players, and England could really nurture him into a top talent.
Olamide Sodeke
Another position England could look to future-proof is lock, and Olamide Sodeke could be the player to do that. The 21-year-old Saracens forward is still really raw, but he has sky-high potential and that would only become a reality if he was involved with the England squad in some way.
His size alone is a big tick in his box, but it’s also what he does with it that should catch the attention of the England boss. He really chucks himself about in the tight to great effect, on either side of the ball, and he would also give England another avenue at the lineout as well.