5 England internationals who are 'one cap wonders' from Wade to Itoje's cousin

Playing for the national team is regarded as one of the highest honours in rugby; even a solitary cap can be the pinnacle of a players career, just ask Joe Simmonds who is still patiently waiting for his long overdue call up.

Gaining a call up to their national team is the pinnacle of rugby players careers.

And while some go on to have long and storied international tenures, others are cast from the national side no sooner than they arrived.

And RUCK is looking at five England players who can be labelled as 'one cap wonders'.

He made his full test debut against Argentina on 8 June on the right wing playing the whole 80 minutes. Wade was selected for the second game against Argentina the following week but withdrew from the team when he was called up to join the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. Wade has since swapped sports to American Football due to his continued exile from the England fold.

The Newcastle and Saracens legend, who made 245 Premiership appearances, won a deserved first England cap against Canada in the Investec Challenge match in 2004 and scored a try.

Hanley was one of two Sale players to make their international debut in England’s final match of their 1999 Five Nations campaign along with Barrie-Jon Mather. Although Hanley scored a try, he also was handed-off by Craig Quinnell and suffered a broken arm as Wales won 32–31 at Wembley.

He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle Falcons' Jamie Noon in the centre. Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, and never played again.

You would hope that Thorley, who is the cousin of Maro Itoje, wouldn't be on this list for long. However, after making his long-awaited debut against Italy last October he lost his place to Jonathan Joseph before being dropped completely. His poor form with Gloucester also suggests he won't be getting a recall anytime soon.