Courtney Lawes, the former England captain set to embark on a new chapter in France, is calling upon the Rugby Football Union to reconsider its contentious policy barring overseas-based players from national team representation.
He is set to join a cohort of England internationals including Owen Farrell, Lewis Ludlam, Kyle Sinckler, Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, Jack Nowell, and David Ribbans in the realm of French club rugby for the upcoming season.
Each of these players has chosen to step away from their Test careers in favor of a move to France. However, according to RFU regulations, players must be under contract with Premiership clubs to be eligible for selection to represent England.
"I think they could change the rules. I think they probably should because players go to France and become better and then you’re losing that talent from the English game," said Lawes.
"We would definitely lose some players from the Premiership, but it wouldn’t be as many as they (the RFU and Premiership Rugby) think. The main thing is you want England to go well.
"If your best players are playing abroad then you’re only hurting yourself.
"We’ve seen some of our players become better abroad. You’re wasting their talent if you’re not picking them."
Every England player ranked from best to worst on their 2024 Six Nations performance
In the opening rounds of the Six Nations, Borthwick's revamped lineup struggled on the attack, tallying a mere six tries.
However, a remarkable turnaround unfolded as England surged, bagging seven tries against formidable opponents Ireland and France, both ranked second and fourth in the world.
These victories against top-ranked nations highlight substantial progress for the English side.
Below, the squad is meticulously ranked from top-tier performers to those falling short. Among the standout talents, Ben Earl emerges as the epitome of excellence.
| vs Italy | vs Wales | vs Scotland | vs Ireland | vs France | Average rating | |
| Ben Earl | 7 | 8 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 8 | 7.8 |
| George Martin | / | / | 7 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 7.666666667 |
| Ollie Lawrence | / | / | 5.5 | 9 | 8 | 7.5 |
| Marcus Smith | / | / | / | 8 | 6.5 | 7.25 |
| Tommy Freeman | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 7 | 8 | 7.1 |
| Alex Mitchell | 6.5 | 7 | / | 7.5 | 7 | 7 |
| Ellis Genge | / | 7 | 5.5 | 7 | 8 | 6.875 |
| Immanuel Feyi-Waboso | 6 | / | 6.5 | 8 | / | 6.833333333 |
| Jamie George | 6 | 7.5 | 6 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.8 |
| vs Italy | vs Wales | vs Scotland | vs Ireland | vs France | Average rating | |
| Ollie Chessum | 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 8.5 | 8 | 6.8 |
| Chandler Cunningham-South | 7 | 7 | 5 | 8 | / | 6.75 |
| George Furbank | / | / | 5.5 | 8 | / | 6.75 |
| George Ford | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 7 | 8 | 6.7 |
| Maro Itoje | 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.7 |
| Sam Underhill | 5.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.6 |
| Freddie Steward | 5.5 | 7.5 | / | / | / | 6.5 |
| Dan Cole | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7.5 | 7 | 6.3 |
| Fraser Dingwall | 5.5 | 7 | / | / | / | 6.25 |
| Ethan Roots | 7.5 | 6.5 | 5 | / | 6 | 6.25 |
| Alex Coles | 6 | 6.5 | / | / | / | 6.25 |
Maro Itoje of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
| vs Italy | vs Wales | vs Scotland | vs Ireland | vs France | Average rating | |
| Henry Slade | 6.5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| Danny Care | 5.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 7.5 | 6 | 6.1 |
| Beno Obano | 6 | / | / | / | / | 6 |
| Elliot Daly | 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| Alex Dombrandt | / | / | / | 6 | 5.5 | 5.75 |
| Joe Marler | 5.5 | 6 | 4 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Theo Dan | 5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Manu Tuilagi | / | / | / | / | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Fin Smith | 5 | / | 5.5 | / | / | 5.25 |
| Will Stuart | 5 | 5.5 | 4 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.2 |
| Ben Spencer | / | / | 5 | / | / | 5 |
