RUCK examines the least impressive individuals who have donned the iconic Red Rose shirt, even encompassing a few newly capped talents.
It must be acknowledged that donning the England jersey demands a considerable level of skill.
However, these players, whether due to various circumstances, didn’t manage to deliver the performances they aspired to while wearing the distinguished white kit.
This team was inspired and partly taken from Mike Cooper’s origional blog on RuckedOver.
Fullback: Mark Van Gisbergen
Yes, he has a cap – only a fleeting one, as a late replacement for Mark Cueto against Australia in 2005 – but he does boast a 100% winning ratio in international colours, so you can’t knock that. His main strengths were dropping the high ball under limited pressure and getting gassed on the outside.
Winger: Ollie Hassell-Collins
The debut-making rookie was picked in the opening round matches of the 2023 Six Nations but failed to make an impression and a knee knock set him back further. Hassell-Collins then failed to make Borthwick’s World Cup training squad.
Centre: Joel Tomkins
Tomkins began his League career with Wigan in 2005 and outside of a short stint with the Widnes Vikings in 2007, played with the Warriors until moving to Saracens in 2011. While Tomkins initially struggled to adapt to union, but his form during the beginning of the 2013/14 season saw him earn an England cap against Australia in November 2013. Although he went on to make two further international appearances, he looked completely out of his depth and returned to league soon after.