LIST: 5 Rugby Players Who REJECTED England Call-Ups

Eddie Jones knew from an early stage the 20-year-old was a talent worth courting. The wingers clinical finishing has been underlined by a haul of four tries in six Wales appearances, including two in the recent victory over Scotland. Jones rang Rees-Zammit in early 2020, but he told the Aussie that he was only interested in playing for Wales.

When England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot arrived at the Sale training ground to see if he wanted to pull on the famous white jersey, it was a short conversation.

“He asked me, ‘do you want to play for England?’ I said, ‘not really’.

“I told him I’d spoken to Gregor, I was playing for Scotland and that was my decision made. I didn’t want to lead them on or mess them around, I got it out there pretty soon."

In 2021, The Bath and Scotland centre turned down the chance to be part of England's shadow squad for the 2021 Six Nations - instead accepting a full call-up from Gregor Townsend. Two weeks later he made his influential debut as the Scots recorded a historic 11-6 win at Twickenham.

Following a number of standout performances at the Junior U20 championship in 2010, there were reports that the standout back-rower was a transfer target for Leicester Tigers. The RFU were reportedly involved in the bid as Hooper would have been eligible to play for England as his father is from Kent. However, he'd end up signing a new deal and has since won 105 caps for the Wallabies. If only, eh?

Moriarty, born in the rugby league hot-bed of St Helens, played alongside current England internationals Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels, plus new Wales centre Nick Tompkins, when England Under-20s lifted the World Cup back in 2014. However, despite an approach to play for the senior team, Moriarty insisted he was Welsh and has since won 44 caps for the men in red.