Steve Borthwick has handed former Māori All Blacks forward Max Hicks his first senior England call-up, raising the remarkable possibility of him facing New Zealand later this month.
The Newcastle Red Bulls star is one of six players brought into England's updated 36-man squad ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Japan.
Borthwick has been forced into a major squad reshuffle following England's 45-22 victory over Australia, with several players unavailable through injury.
Six players called into England squad
The six additions are:
- Max Hicks (Newcastle Red Bulls)
- Jack Kenningham (Harlequins)
- Archie McParland (Northampton Saints)
- Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby)
- Noah Caluori (Saracens)
- Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Five of the six featured in England A's 59-24 victory over Argentina XV on Friday, while McParland returns following a calf injury.
But Hicks has arguably the most interesting story of the lot.
From Māori All Blacks to England
The 27-year-old was born in Auckland and previously played Super Rugby for the Highlanders.
He represented the Māori All Blacks in 2022 but qualifies for England through his Cornish mother.
His journey has also taken him through French rugby with Perpignan before joining Newcastle Red Bulls this summer.
The 6ft 6in forward has wasted little time making an impression in the PREM.
His performances earned him an England A opportunity against Argentina XV last Friday, when he came off the bench at The Rec.
Three days later, he's training with the senior squad.
Quite the turnaround.
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Hicks can operate at lock or in the back row, giving Borthwick another option following injuries to Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry.
Chessum could return for the All Blacks clash, but Curry has been ruled out for the remainder of the autumn.
England face Japan on Saturday before welcoming New Zealand to Twickenham on 21 November.
A Test debut is far from guaranteed, but Hicks now has the chance to face the country of his birth in an England shirt.
Four years after representing the Māori All Blacks, he could be lining up against New Zealand's senior side.
Rugby has a funny way of coming full circle.
