2003 World Cup winner’s son among five England hopefuls who impressed this weekend

Among them was the son of a 2003 World Cup winner, alongside several others pushing hard to force Steve Borthwick’s hand ahead of selection for England in February.

Much has been said about England’s options in the centres, and for a while Rekeiti Ma’asi-White had slipped slightly out of the conversation following an injury-hit spell. But in Sale’s win over the Sharks, the young midfielder emphatically re-entered the frame.

Ma’asi-White showcased his trademark sharp running, slicing through the defence with an incisive line to score the opening try and give Sale a narrow 5–3 half-time lead in a scrappy contest. It was a reminder of the quality that previously earned him recognition at international level.

Already capped by England A and invited into senior training camps under Steve Borthwick, Ma’asi-White now has the opportunity to build momentum. If he can sustain this level of performance, a full England call-up may not be far away.

England’s back-row depth is formidable, but Jack Kenningham continues to make a compelling case for inclusion. Previously involved in England camps and a standout for England A earlier this year, the Harlequins flanker produced a commanding display in his side’s emphatic victory over the Stormers.

Kenningham was outstanding throughout, opening the scoring with a deserved try before maintaining his influence across the full 80 minutes. His energy, breakdown work and ball-carrying underpinned Quins’ dominance, earning him the man-of-the-match award.

Performances like this suggest that the ambition of playing for England is well within reach.

Charlie Bracken delivered a statement performance in Saracens’ impressive win over Toulouse, even outshining the world’s most celebrated scrum-half, Antoine Dupont. Introduced from the bench, Bracken brought composure, control and intelligence to close out a huge result.

The son of World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, Charlie has long been viewed as a prospect, having represented England at U20 level and featured at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Now, his club performances are beginning to match that early promise.

Having been called into a senior England training camp in June 2025, Bracken’s display against elite opposition will only strengthen his case. It was a mature, assured performance that suggested he belongs on the biggest stage.

If current form counts for anything, Billy Searle must be forcing his way into England conversations. Fly-half is one of the most competitive positions in the country, but Searle’s display against Bayonne was impossible to ignore.

He set up the first two tries against Bayonne with near-identical long passes before turning provider into finisher, racing away for a second-half hat-trick. Playing with clarity, confidence and a growing swagger, Searle orchestrated the match with authority.

England’s depth at ten is formidable, but performances of this calibre make it increasingly difficult to overlook him. Should this run continue, Steve Borthwick will have serious food for thought.

It was no surprise to see Adam Radwan on the scoresheet again – in fact, he crossed twice. The winger has been in electric form, tormenting defenders with his pace and footwork, and causing all manner of problems down the flank.

Already capped by England and a hat-trick scorer on his debut, Radwan knows what it takes at international level. Yet fierce competition on the wing has limited his opportunities in recent seasons. This latest display, full of menace and cutting edge, was another reminder of what he offers.

The only concern is the injury he picked up, which looked worrying in the moment. If it proves minor, Radwan will continue to bang on the door for Six Nations selection.