Christian Wade back in the England squad, four suggested call-ups
Rugby NewsSunday, 03 November 2024 at 18:40
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England's recent clash with the All Blacks was intense, with fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
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Despite a commendable effort, the squad fell short – but the silver lining is the opportunity to inject fresh talent into the mix.
Here’s a look at four players who could add a fresh spark to Steve Borthwick's lineup. With a blend of youth, agility, and experience, these players could be game-changers for England.
Guy Pepper: The Bath Dynamo
Club: Bath
Position: Back-row
Age: 21
Position: Back-row
Age: 21
Guy Pepper is emerging as one of Bath’s most promising young back-rowers, known for his relentless work rate and tactical intelligence on the pitch. At 21, he’s already shown maturity beyond his years, becoming a regular feature in Bath’s squad this season.
His physicality, combined with his ability to read the game, makes him a standout candidate for the England back row. Pepper’s defensive chops would make him a valuable asset in Borthwick’s defensive schemes, while his ball-carrying skills could add depth in England’s attacking options.
England A player Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons) tries to gather the ball during the International rugby match between England A and Portugal at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on February 25th- PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
Christian Wade: Gloucester’s X-Factor
Club: Gloucester
Position: Wing
Age: 32
Position: Wing
Age: 32
Christian Wade’s recent return to rugby union has fans buzzing. The electric winger made a name for himself in the Premiership before making a move to the NFL. Now back on English soil and playing for Gloucester, Wade hasn’t missed a beat.
Known for his dazzling footwork and blistering pace, Wade could provide England with the clinical edge they need on the wing. At 32, his experience and sheer ability to break through defensive lines could give England’s backline an instant upgrade. Wade’s presence would add an X-factor that Borthwick’s squad could leverage against top-tier opponents.
Josh Hodge: Exeter Chiefs’ Rising Star
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Position: Fullback/Wing
Age: 24
Position: Fullback/Wing
Age: 24
Josh Hodge is a player who’s quickly making waves at Exeter Chiefs. With his versatility in the back three and an eye for counter-attacking opportunities, Hodge could be a valuable addition to the England squad.
The 24-year-old has a knack for spotting gaps and breaking through them, while his accurate boot and game awareness make him a dependable option at fullback. England could benefit from his reliability under the high ball and his ability to turn defence into attack. Hodge’s speed and agility would give England’s backline a dynamic boost.
Afolabi Fasogbon: Gloucester’s Physical Presence
Club: Gloucester
Position: Prop
Age:
Position: Prop
Age:
Afolabi Fasogbon has been quietly turning heads with his powerful performances at Gloucester. At 22, the prop brings a raw physicality that England’s pack could use to dominate up front. Known for his solid scrummaging and mobility around the park, Fasogbon adds the kind of heft and athleticism that England’s front row could lean on.
With the All Blacks match highlighting areas for improvement in England’s set-piece, Fasogbon’s power and stability could reinforce England’s scrum, giving them an edge in the physical battles that define Test matches.
“Brutally targeted” – Five players who flopped in the opening round of the Autumn Nations Series
Here’s a look at five players who’ll want to leave their performances behind after the All Blacks defeated England and Scotland routed Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series opener.
Ellis Genge (England)
Guardian 5/10: "Back from calf injury and gassed by Tele’a for first try. Embraced the blitz defence but beaten by Jordan too easily as well."
Telegraph 5/10: "Brutally targeted by the All Blacks for their opening tries by Tele’a and Jordan. Rule of thumb: don’t leave your prop exposed against All Black outside backs."
Ben Spencer (England)
Guardian 5/10: "First start at 32 and looked nervous, caught out at one ruck on his own 22 and charged down. Settled thereafter but not the statement showing he’d have liked."
Tommy Freeman (England)
Guardian 5/10: "Handling a bit shaky under the high ball early on but that improved. Not much of chance to show what he can do with the ball."
Telegraph 5/10: "A disappointing showing. His high-ball work is usually his calling card but was very poor here, helping New Zealand to dominate the early aerial exchanges."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Not a great deal to say for a player who had a lot to deal with in Mark Tele’a and failed to really stamp his mark on the game."
Samuela Tawake (FIji)
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Conceded an early scrum penalty which eventually resulted in Scotland’s first try of the match. Had a tough time at scrum time, which was part of Fiji’s undoing in an ill-disciplined affair."
Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
Rugby Pass 3/10: "One of the All Blacks best this year finally had on off day. An ankle tap on Maro Itoje helped save a bad situation in the first half.
"Took a massive shot from Cunningham-South and spilt the ball, the All Blacks conceded a penalty from the scrum. Dropped the pass with an open line ahead on what was probably a forward pass from Sititi, but nonetheless a possible try scoring moment. Pinged right on half-time for side maul entry. Off at 41."
Telegraph 5/10: "Received a thunderous welcome from Cunningham-South in the first half and spilled a Sititi pass which did ask too much of him. Limped off a minute into the second half.
Planet Rugby 5/10: "New Zealand had their lineout wobbles, while Vaa’i struggled to put it about physically. The lock also dropped a ball which he should have held with the tryline in his sight. "
Can you name the top 100 mens capped rugby players of all-time?!
Rugby is a sport of grit, skill, and resilience, and it’s the players who endure season after season, test after test, who embody these qualities best. Today, we’re counting down the top 100 men’s capped players in rugby history – athletes whose dedication to their teams has etched their names into the record books.
From powerhouse props to fleet-footed wings, these players have amassed an astonishing number of caps, representing their countries time and again on the world’s biggest stage. Whether they’ve thrilled fans with dazzling runs, anchored the scrum, or inspired with steadfast leadership, each has contributed to the legacy of rugby in unforgettable ways.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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