"Just sad" - Danny Cipriani included on List Of Most Disappointing England Rugby Players In History

Nevertheless, despite the presence of these exceptional talents, the team has also witnessed its fair share of letdowns.

Many players were anticipated to shine but never fulfilled those expectations, while others were deemed suitable stand-ins but were denied the opportunity.

Furthermore, questions linger as to why some of these players were ever selected for the national team. Regardless of the underlying reasons, a significant number of individuals have earned a place on this list due to their substantial disappointments for various reasons.

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The 2013 British & Irish Lion is poised to sensationally quit Wasps in order to pursue a lucrative career in the NFL, having grown disillusioned with rugby union. The 27-year-old is one of the most recognised names in the domestic game, but his continued absence from the international set-up – having won just one England cap on the 2013 tour of Argentina – has left him frustrated and fed up of continuously being overlooked. What a waste.

The now pundit for ITV, BT Sport and Channel 5 speaks a very good game but his opportunities at international level were not forthcoming. He won his first full caps as a replacement in the Tests against South Africa on the summer tour in 2000 but never really established himself as the first choice, finding himself behind Graham Rowntree in the pecking order. Winning just eight caps between 2000 and 2002, he'd probably walk into Eddie Jones latest squad.

The Newcastle and Saracens legend, who made 245 Premiership appearances, won a deserved first England cap against Canada in the Investec Challenge match in 2004 and scored a try as captain. However, shockingly, this would be the only full test cap he’d ever win.

The Geordie magician steered the Falcons to cup final glory in 2001 and 2004, the Durham University graduate playing four tests for England between 2001 and 2003. The fly-half made 87 Premiership appearances during his seven seasons at Kingston Park before going on to domestic and European glory with London Wasps. A great player, so it's disappointing we didn't see more of him at Test level.

An England international with four caps to his name, the wing became the Premiership’s all-time leading try-scorer during the 2016/17 campaign when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate. Like Wade, it’s hard to believe he didn’t get more of a chance, scoring three tries in his four test caps.

Barkley won 23 caps for England between 2001 and 2008, and such was his early reputation that he featured for England before his club debut with Bath. A graceful left-footer able to play at fly-half or inside-centre, Barkley should have been a mainstay in the England midfield after the retirement of Will Greenwood and due to Jonny Wilkinson’s injury curse.

The strange thing about Barkley is that it is hard to say where it went wrong. He is not blessed with great pace, but kicked well from the tee and out of hand, is a fine distributor and hardly a defensive weakness. He remains one of the biggest mysteries of English rugby from the 2000s.

Despite the good early promise in his career, he spent most of his time in England colours being turned upside down in the set-piece and being battered backwards in contact. He only won six caps.

England's rush to include Burgess in their World Cup squad, despite concerns about his experience and ability to adapt to rugby union, ultimately resulted in a catastrophic failure. Bath, who signed him for a record fee, and Burgess himself must also share responsibility for the debacle. While he was not a bad player, the entire saga was a disaster

Foden was highlighted early on as a talented player earmarked for England. The problem that set him back initially was what position he was going to play. Sale, his first club, regarded Foden as an international class full-back, but the man himself had a burning desire to play at scrum-half. He did win 34 caps but it could have been so much more.

Andy Goode was for many years the metronomic core of Leicester Tigers’ backline, a reliable goal-kicker and an excellent tactician. However, his international career did not take off as he would have wanted with the fly-half, winning just 17 caps, and struggling to nail down a place consistently, coming in and out of the squad on a regular basis.

He was a fan’s player, born 20 years too late to justify his mercurial talent in professional rugby. Abendanon rarely featured on the England radar. Concerns about his defence, kicking and ability under the high ball all outweighed his ability to glide through defences in a broken field.

The full-back, despite being the best player in Europe, missed out on selection for the 2015 Rugby World Cup due to playing overseas, but even if he had been eligible, it is still hard to see the England management dispensing with the tenacious and reliable Mike Brown. Abendanon, then, is a player who England never trusted to reach his potential.

The Volcano’ stormed onto the scene for Gloucester, doing something ridiculous like scoring five tries on his debut against Leeds, before qualifying for England on residency grounds.

International honours followed, with Vainikolo making his England debut against Wales in 2008. However, he failed to bring his try-scoring form to the international scene and was quickly dropped from Martin Johnston’s squad after winning five caps.

Farrell played for England's rugby union and rugby league teams. He was an excellent rugby league player but failed to transition successfully into rugby union.

James Simpson-Daniel was always a fan favourite and narrowly missed out on selection for the 2003 World Cup, despite being involved in the all-conquering England team of the 2002 Autumn Internationals. Although heralded as a potential world-class wing, injury constantly blighted his career and numerous England head coaches looked to other options ahead of him. He ended his career with a pitiful 10 caps.

Morgan made his debut for England in the 2007 Six Nations against Scotland and started again against Ireland three weeks later. However, numerous injuries blighted his career and these were the only two occasions he ever played for the national team.

The Bristol prop was a solid bloke who anchored the Bristol scrum during that season where they finished 3^rd in the Premiership, in 2006-07, and was rewarded with a call-up to the England squad for their tour to South Africa.

However, Crompton was never the most mobile and since he was 34 when he made his bow in international colours, he was practically stationary by the time he put on the England shirt. It's Disappointing he didn't get a chance earlier in his career.

England had very strong depth at scrum half during the best years of Clive Woodward’s reign, with Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall being the three scrum halves named in the World Cup squad. However, Wood was called up as an injury replacement but never actually made the official squad. In his entire career he only ever played twice for England.

Versatile forward Ward joined Harlequins in 2012 from Cornish Pirates, a side he made more than 100 appearances for. It was during the 2013/14 season that Ward rose to fame with his electric form. Claiming five Man of the Match awards and becoming the pioneer of countless turnovers, he was the 2013/14 Players’ Player of the season. His efforts were rewarded by being named in Stuart Lancaster’s England squad for the 2014 tour of New Zealand, but he only played in the mid week win over the Crusaders.

The diminutive fly-half only made ten appearances for England over nine years, which was more due to the selectors’ preference for Rob Andrew. He retired after touring South Africa in 1994, partially because of a groin injury, although frustration probably played a part in his decision.

The most talented player of a generation somehow only won 16 caps. It's just sad.

Regardless of where the nickname came from, once it starts circulating throughout the media it is very hard to shake. Most rugby players embrace their nicknames, however others may wish that their teammates hadn't been so quick witted with the monickers.

We've put together the ultimate quiz of rugby nicknames, and challenge you to name the rugby player behind these 20 sobriquets. You have five minutes, and your time starts now, Good luck!