With the 2024 Six Nations coming in over the horizon, numerous of aspiring England talents are stepping up their game in the hope of making a long awaited test debut. England head coach Steve Borthwick will be naming his squad tomorrow, on Wednesday 17th January, and last weekend’s Champions and Challenge Cup matches were the last opportunity for the ‘bolters’ to put their hands up for selection.
One of a rugby player’s most important career matches, the international call-up could take place sooner rather than later for this squad of talented youngsters. We have compiled an Ultimate XV of uncapped England candidates, who are have been striving to make the 2024 Six Nations squad and achieve their test match debuts. We have looked across the Premiership, and pieced together a side of the top young talents that are on the cusp of a break-through.
Here is RUCK’s Ultimate XV, of uncapped England players that could make their debut in the 2024 Six Nations.
OUTSIDE BACKS
15. Joe Carpenter (Sale Sharks)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
Two Sale Sharks stars kick off our back-three, beginning with Joe Carpenter, who is amongst England’s top young full-backs. The 22-year-old has had a rocket-charged push into the starting Sale XV, with the 2022/23 Premiership season being his defying break-out campaign. Carpenter’s Sharks career progressed with intermittent loans to Leeds Tykes, where he gained valuable first XV experience against hard-hitting opposition.
Coming in on the right wing is exciting young Exeter Chiefs talent Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who has looked to have closed the door on any potential return to Wales. The Cardiff born wing has long been on Warren Gatland’s radar, yet having swapped the Blues for Wasps in 2022, nailed his colours to a future England call-up. Feyi-Waboso found a new home at Sandy Park after the financial collapse of Wasps, and recently attended a pre-competition camp in line with his England hopes for the upcoming Six Nations.
On the left wing we have gone for Tom Roebuck, who could well be on his way to running out for either nation that lies North or South of Hadrian’s Wall. Per the latest reports, the Sale man has garnered the interest from Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, along with Sharks teammates Arron Reed and Gus Warr. The flying wing is eligible to don the tartan due to his heritage, which has increased the pressure on Borthwick to pick Roebuck for England duties, and utilise his talents in the upcoming Six Nations.
CENTRES
13. Will Joseph (Harlequins)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Moving onto the centres, and we have opted for the partnership of Harlequins and Gloucester midfielders Will Joseph and Seb Atkison. Beginning with Joseph, the former London Irishman has been breaking new ground at the Stoop this season, and has been a more than capable replacement for the departing Joe Marchant. Joseph has steadily made the 13 jersey his own in the famous quarters, with playmaking expertise coupled with an astute awareness for try scoring opportunities. Joseph’s best run out so far came against Sale Sharks, as he scored a brace against the then Premiership leaders.
Seb Atkinson is an exciting young talent who has established himself amongst the senior starting XV of the Cherry and Whites. The 21-year-old plays with a confidence of a far more experienced veteran, and is not afraid to try new things, to lift the roof off the Kingsholm shed end. After breaking onto the Premiership scene at Worcester Warriors in 2020, Atkinson was promptly snapped up by Gloucester, when the Worcestershire side entered financial administration. He has been a proven asset ever since, and enjoys going toe-to-toe with the top centres in England. Atkinson starred in Gloucester’s narrow loss to Exeter Chiefs, as he matched Henry Slade in the centre channel, and got over for a try at Sandy Park.
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