England’s dream squad if overseas stars were eligible – and it looks frightening

The controversial Rugby Football Union (RFU) policy prevents head coach Borthwick from selecting players playing outside of England, leaving him with only the Gallagher PREM to build his squad around.

Frustratingly, for many, it has left a number of players on the outside looking in, and these are players that would likely strengthen his side with a Rugby World Cup also on the horizon next year in Australia.

Borthwick has made it clear in the past that there will be no relaxation of the ruling, despite some outstanding players plying their trade in France’s top division, the Top 14.

This raises a clear question: how good would England be now if the ruling were different, and would that relieve the pressure and heavy scrutiny Borthwick has faced?

If we’re being honest here, there is no other place to start than discussing Willis. It’s actually baffling and quite simply astonishing that Willis’s excellence is not able to be shown on the international stage.

The Toulouse player has been outstanding in the Top 14, claiming the leagues Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, matching a record only previously held by Antoine Dupont.

He’s arguably in some ways become the poster boy for the players that play outside of England, and has established himself as one of the leading back-row players in France.

Willis is only 29, and as he continues to excel in France, and it comes without question that he still has a huge amount to offer on the international stage. If he were to be available for selection you would find it hard to not even include him in the starting XV.

Willis the younger brother of Jack, is another fascinating example and one of the more recent examples as well.

Before departing for Bordeaux, he was crowned the Gallagher PREM Player of the Year after moving from Saracens, and like his brother, his move to France has cost him a place in England’s wider plans.

A player who was one of the league's top performers before leaving would give Borthwick another option in one of the most competitive areas in terms of selection in the back-row.

The 68-cap prop ended his international career in 2024 after joining Toulon. England’s front-row options have moved on since Sinckler was a regular starter.

Here’s the question: would his experience still be valuable for England?

At his best, Sinckler was a useful option for his national side, and that was away from his strength in set-piece ability.

The question now is whether he would immediately reclaim a starting position; that is up for debate. Perhaps it was a wise decision to leave to play in the Top 14.

A Northampton Saints stalwart, Ribbans would still offer a great deal to Borthwick’s second-row options. Let’s not forget he was part of Borthwick plans early on before moving to France.

His experience and the sheer physicality he would bring to encounters would mean he wouldn't arrive as an unknown quantity if he ever decided to return.

Borthwick would bring back a player in Ribbans who is proven and already knows what international rugby demands. Quick to forget also that he is soon eligible to play for South Africa.

Kpoku is maybe the most intriguing. He’s developed himself in France, playing for Racing 92 and now Toulon.

He does represent the type of player that Borthwick or, in the future, England could build around. This comes as head coach Borthwick shapes his plans for what he wants his squad to look like for next year's World Cup.

Having someone like Kpoku available would be a great boost for years to come.

With his move to Toulon, Ludlam’s international career has concluded, for now, at least. He was part of the England 2023 World Cup squad before heading to the South of France.

He already has international rugby experience, with 25 caps from 2019 to 2023. His versatility could also be a big boost for Borthwick.

If he becomes eligible to play for England again, he would face stiff competition, but surely that is what he would want, and Borthwick would too.

The former Bath and Gloucester player, who has entered his second stint in the Top 14 since joining Toulon, moved to Montpellier in 2021.

He has consistently shown many of his qualities and has already been in and around the England setup.

He’s also represented both the U18s and U20s, and captained England U20s at the 2017 Junior World Cup, when he scored the winning try against South Africa in the semi-final.

As discussed with many of these players, Mercer would undoubtedly walk straight into the starting XV, and would give Borthwick genuine experience when building his squad.

Billy Vunipola (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, last played for England in the World Cup semi-final against South Africa in 2023)

Now playing for Montpellier, who lifted the EPCR Challenge Cup title last season, Vunipola is no longer the straightforward answer at number eight for England.

He’s one of the experienced campaigners Borthwick would have at his disposal if eligible.

Whether his strong ball-carrying attributes are enough to bring him back into the England squad at 33 is another question. If available, you would be silly not to involve Vunipola.

And finally, there is Tuilagi. The powerful centre is now at Bayonne, and while his best years are behind him, he's continued to play in a top league like the Top 14, showing that experience exists outside England.

He was once the first name on the team sheet not too long ago.

He definitely wouldn't be a starter nowadays, but there’s something special about imagining the option of bringing Tuilagi back into the squad, especially in midfield.

Would his experiences benefit England moving forward?

Props: Kyle Sinckler, Ellis Genge, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Joe Heyes

Hookers: Jamie George, Theo Dan, Luke Cowan-Dickie

Second-rows: Maro Itoje, David Ribbans, Junior Kpoku, Alex Coles, Ollie Chessum

Back-rows: Jack Willis, Tom Willis, Zach Mercer, Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl, Chandler Cunningham-South, Billy Vunipola

Scrum-halves: Alex Mitchell, Jack van Poortvliet, Raffi Quirke

Outside-halves: Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, George Ford

Centres: Manu Tuilagi, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Slade

Back-three: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, Freddie Steward, George Furbank