Jack van Poortvliet reminded everyone exactly what England have been missing with a breathtaking solo effort that has fans dreaming of what’s to come.
The Leicester Tigers scrum-half, who missed the Rugby World Cup due to injury, looks back to his best—and then some.
It all started with a rock-solid scrum, Solomone Kata crashing over the gainline, but then JVP took matters into his own hands. Spotting a gap, he sprinted through, chipped over the covering defence, and regathered to score. It’s the kind of magic that makes you wonder if this could be an early contender for for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2025. If he keeps this form up, Warren Gatland might have no choice but to take him along.
Try of the Year.
Fans lose their minds
Social media erupted after the try, with one fan saying:
"Similar to the try for England A, JVP looks in incredible form at the moment!"
"Similar to the try for England A, JVP looks in incredible form at the moment!"
Another added:
"What a try JVP!!! Get in."
"What a try JVP!!! Get in."
A third called it simply:
"Stunning."
"Stunning."
Who is Jack van Poortvliet?
Born on May 15, 2001, in Norfolk, van Poortvliet came through Leicester’s academy before making his senior debut in 2019. He captained England U20s and earned his first senior cap against Australia in 2022. Known for his quick delivery, tactical awareness, and ability to read the game, he’s quickly become one of England’s most exciting young talents.
2025 Lions bolter?
With performances like this, JVP could be a belter
EDITORS PICKS:
- Four England Players Make Official 2025 Six Nations Team Of The Tournament
- Statement: George McGuigan has left Gloucester by mutual consent
- “Change likely” – Steve Borthwick’s England exit date as head boss confirmed
- Five players who flopped during the 2025 Six Nations
15 England Stars Make Our Lions Squad for Australia Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour just around the corner, speculation is ramping up about who will get the nod for the three-Test series against Australia.
Andy Farrell will announce his squad live from the O2 Arena in London on May 8th, 2025, and we’ve taken a stab at selecting the best possible 36-man squad for the tour.
OUR 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Here’s a breakdown of who makes the cut, with 15 England stars included in our strongest lineup.
Props
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England) – The 'Baby Rhino' brings his trademark aggression and scrummaging power.
Pierre Schoemann (Scotland)
Kyle Sinckler (England) – A veteran of the 2021 tour, Sinckler’s experience will be vital.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England) – The powerful tighthead earns his spot after a consistent season.
Hookers
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – The standout Irish hooker is almost a certainty.
Dewi Lake (Wales)
Jamie George (England) – Lions experience and leadership make him a vital inclusion.
Locks
Maro Itoje (England) – One of the first names on the team sheet.
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – The young enforcer could be a game-changer.
Ollie Chessum (England) – A rising star, providing dynamism and lineout excellence.
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
George Martin (England) – Physicality and work rate give him the edge.
Back Row
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – World-class breakdown presence.
Ben Curry (England) – Edges into contention with his relentless tackling and breakdown work.
Tom Curry (England) – A Lions veteran whose pedigree speaks for itself.
Caelan Doris (Ireland) – A guaranteed starter.
Ben Earl (England) – One of the most explosive players in the Premiership this season.
Jack Willis (England) – His form for Toulouse has been outstanding.
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (England) – Slick distribution and speed make him a real threat.
Ben White (Scotland)
Out-halves
Finn Russell (Scotland) – The magician with the golden touch.
Fin Smith (England) – England’s rising star earns his place.
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – Future Irish fly-half maestro.
Centres
Bundee Aki (Ireland) – A wrecking ball in midfield.
Huw Jones (Scotland)
Owen Farrell (England) – His experience and leadership could prove invaluable.
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Back Three
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A try-scoring machine.
Tommy Freeman (England) – Versatility and pace make him an asset.
James Lowe (Ireland)
Darcy Graham (Scotland) – Electric feet and finishing ability.
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – Provides utility value and composure.
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – Almost certain to be the starting fullback.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – The young speedster could light up the tour.
Why These England Stars Make the Cut
After reviewing the squad, 15 England players make the squad, not just eight as initially suggested. Here’s a closer look at those making the journey to Australia:
- Ellis Genge – Loosehead prop with aggression and power.
- Kyle Sinckler – Experienced tighthead who thrives on the big stage.
- Will Stuart – Strong scrummager who adds depth at tighthead.
- Jamie George – Experienced hooker with Lions pedigree.
- Maro Itoje – An automatic selection with his world-class performances.
- Ollie Chessum – Dynamic and athletic, perfect for the Lions.
- George Martin – Physical and uncompromising in defence.
- Ben Curry – Relentless tackler and breakdown specialist.
- Tom Curry – Established Lions veteran with proven class.
- Ben Earl – Explosive ball carrier and Premiership standout.
- Alex Mitchell – Offers tempo and flair at scrum-half.
- Fin Smith – The young playmaker has shown composure beyond his years.
- Owen Farrell – His leadership and ability to control a game are unmatched.
- Tommy Freeman – A versatile back three option with pace and power.
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – The electric winger who has lit up the Premiership.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro British & Irish Lions rugby players
Rugby history runs deep, and the British & Irish Lions have produced some of the most iconic players to ever grace the pitch. But can you spot a Lions legend from a lineup?
Test your knowledge with this quiz! For each question, we’ll give you three possible answers—only one is correct.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this retro challenge? Let’s find out!
EDITORS PICKS:
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- 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
Loading
