Five uncapped England players who could break into the 2027 Rugby World Cup squad

From explosive backs to dynamic forwards, here are five rising stars who might earn their first England caps this spring.

Tigers back-rower Emeka Ilione recently signed a new deal with Leicester, and there’s growing belief that an England call-up might not be far away.

The Mansfield-born forward is balancing professional rugby with medical studies, a feat made even more impressive considering he was sidelined just days after being invited to a three-day England training camp in October. That setback ended any hope of featuring in the Quilter Nations Series.

Despite this, Steve Borthwick has been full of praise for Ilione, particularly highlighting his world-class jackalling. If he can stay fit and continue his trajectory, an England debut feels like a matter of time.

At just 19, Saracens winger Noah Caluori has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young talents in English rugby.

Standing 6'4" and weighing 100kg, he brings a rare mix of athleticism and aerial dominance, making him a genuine threat in the back three. His breakthrough performance against Sale Sharks put him firmly on the radar, earning him a fast-tracked place in England training camps.

He hasn’t been capped yet, but the message is clear: England rate him highly. With his physical profile and skillset tailor-made for Test rugby—especially the aerial battle—it feels like only a matter of time before he pulls on the white shirt.

Harry Thacker’s inclusion might be the longest shot on this list, but it still feels necessary to mention him.

The Leicester hooker has hovered around England selection for years, consistently performing at club level without ever quite breaking into the national side.

With Theo Dan struggling for form, there could be an opening at hooker—but it’s a brutally competitive position, and someone like Jamie Blamire could easily take advantage first.

Still, even at 31, Thacker remains in the conversation. His consistency keeps him in the frame if circumstances fall his way.

Bristol lock Joe Batley made a solid impression for England A against the All Blacks XV, even crossing for a try, and his inclusion at 29 suggests the door to senior honours isn’t closed.

The second-row pecking order is stacked—Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, George Martin, Alex Coles, Nick Isiekwe—but as always, injuries and form can change everything. Batley’s versatility is a major asset too, with the ability to slot into the back row if needed.

He’s not a favourite for selection, but he’s definitely within reach if the stars align.

Sale’s 22-year-old centre Rekeiti Ma’asi-White earned a place in England’s training camp before the summer fixtures and has since featured in both England A matches this autumn, against the All Blacks XV and Spain.

Usually deployed at inside centre—a position where England currently lack depth—Ma’asi-White has risen rapidly over the past year.

If he continues on this upward path, he could well make the No. 12 shirt his own in the future.

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!