Representing your country is considered the pinnacle for many rugby players, but this lot weren’t able to do it as often as they would have liked…
1. Nick Abendanon (Two caps)
Abendanon had a brief run out for England in 2012, but that was a mere sniff of a chance in a non-capped match on South African soil where he scored a hat-trick, but that still wasn’t enough, leaving him with just a pair of caps. Despite excelling at Bath, there was to be no further England recognition and in 2014 he took up a contract with Clermont Auvergne, forgoing any international aspirations in the process.
2. Dave Walder (Four caps)
The Geordie magician steered the Falcons to cup final glory in 2001 and 2004, the Durham University graduate playing four tests for England between 2001 and 2003. The fly-half made 87 Premiership appearances during his seven seasons at Kingston Park before going on to domestic and European glory with London Wasps. A great player
3. Tom Varndell (Four caps)
An England international with four caps to his name, the wing became the Aviva Premiership’s all-time leading try scorer during the 2016/17 campaign when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate. It’s hard to believe he didn’t get more of a chance, scoring three tries in his four test caps.