"New Zealand Bound" - 5 England Hopefuls Who Impressed In the Final Round of the Premiership

The 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership regular season is in the books, with the top four confirmed ahead of the incoming play-off stages. Northampton Saints end the season at the top of the Premiership table by the narrowest of margins, after a final round defeat to league runners-up Bath.

Sale Sharks pulled out all the stops for their final round trip to North London, as Alex Sanderson's men secured a 20-10 away victory against Saracens. This milestone win saw the Sharks staple their name to a third-place finish, with Saracens clinging on to the fourth play-off spot, just two points to the good of narrowly eclipsed Bristol Bears.

The Premiership play-offs have been confirmed, with Northampton and Bath awarded the luxury of a home semi-final. The Saints are set for a run-in with fourth placed Saracens, in what could well be the final curtain for the likes of Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers in the iconic red and black. Bath Rugby host Sale Sharks at the Rec, with the visitors eager to return to the Premiership Final and go one better than their runners-up outing from 12 months ago.

Amidst all of the focus on the Premiership clubs, there has been an underlying backdrop of international contention for the upcoming England Summer tour. England head to Japan and New Zealand across June and July, with head coach Steve Borthwick assessing his impressive bolters to take on the Brave Blossoms and All Blacks.

Borthwick had plenty of contenders from the final round of the Gallagher Premiership's regular season to scout, and we've picked out the top five performers who could well be on the plane this Summer. Here are the top five England hopefuls, who impressed in last weekend's Premiership Rugby final round of action.

1. WILL MUIR - BATH RUGBY

The first of a few back-three players who put their hands up for England contention this past weekend, Will Muir led the way for Bath in their crucial win over Northampton Saints. This all-important victory saw the men in blue, black and white secure a home semi-final, which has certainly excited the Rec Ground faithful. It is reported that a strong contingent of Bath fans have already bought their tickets for the Premiership Final, and have looked past the incoming challenge of a semi-final battle with Sale Sharks.

Will Muir made his way over for two tries against the Saints, in an impressive attacking display. The 28-year-old has been on the fringes for his England test debut in recent months, as he was called up for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations squad earlier this year. The former England Sevens star ran rampant against the table-topping Saints, with his first try seeing him stroll through a gap on the Northampton 22m, after a well timed Finn Russell assist split the defence.

Muir's second half score was equally as impressive, as he demonstrated his full stride along the left wing after receiving the ball on the Northampton 10m line. Muir broke away with a full head of steam, and handed a strong fend to Tom Litchfield which sent the centre to the deck. The wing cascaded down the turf, before wrapping up the solo score with a nice dive over the whitewash. The Bath man has been patiently waiting for his England debut in the 15-a-side version of the sport, and his hard work could well pay off when Borthwick names his squad for the upcoming Summer tests.

2. ALFIE BARBEARY - BATH RUGBY

We stick with Bath for the second name on our list, as back-row bruiser Alfie Barbeary left his Northampton opponents the same blue, black and white as his Bath team strip. A relentless ball-carrier, Barbeary has been a name that England fans across the country have been calling for a run-out in the red rose. The 23-year-old's fanbase is not limited to Somerset, and it's anticipated that England fans will grow accustomed to the name following a test debut in either Japan or New Zealand.

Barbeary was in fine form once again, as Bath despatched the Saints in the final round of the regular Gallagher Premiership season. The back-row exploded off the bench and fired himself into a driving maul, Barbeary then broke away from the trundling pack and powered through Rory Hutchinson's tackle attempt to score. Equally impressive in attack as he was defensively, Barbeary held up a late Northampton Saints surge for the try-line, as he won a turnover to halt any Northampton hopes of a consolation try.

The man is certainly amongst the future of England's back-row, after making his England A debut against Portugal. Barbeary now has his sights set on an international introduction this Summer and Borthwick could well hand the number eight his maiden test cap, as the head coach gets set to name his Summer squad on June 10th.

3. GABRIEL IBITOYE - BRISTOL BEARS

Steadily progressing up the pecking order, Gabriel Ibitoye has emerged as Pat Lam's go-to flyer for Bristol this season. The former Harlequin has enjoyed a club career throughout France, with club stints at Agen and Montpellier before he arrived in Bristol in 2022. Ibitoye has so far been off the radar for Steve Borthwick's wingers, yet the 26-year-old has had a solid season in the 2023/24 Premiership, with his final Bears outing once again showcasing his talents.

Ibitoye scored his 10th try of the season (in all competitions) last weekend, as he showcased his impressive pace and agility against his former Quins. One of the brightest sparks of an 11-try thriller, Ibitoye was quickest to react to a loose pass, as Chandler Cunningham-South spilt the ball for the home side. Ibitoye did not hesitate as he scooped up the ball, and raced away at a blistering rate of knots, with the likes of Premiership speedsters Marcus Smith and Tyrone Green a noticeable stride away from the wing.

Untouched on his way through to the try-line, Ibitoye's unadulterated speed was on full display for this 24th minute score at the Stoop. It was not just this breakaway try that garnered Borthwick's attention this past weekend, as Ibitoye would routinely ask questions of the Harlequins defenders, with his dominant leg drives requiring at least two tacklers to bring the wing to the deck. Certainly one to keep an eye on as Borthwick pens down his decisions, Ibitoye could well be an outside shout for an England debut this coming Summer.

Also, an honorary nod to Max Malins is in order, as the Bristol wing reminded Borthwick as to what he let go following the Rugby World Cup.

4. JACK VAN POORTVLIET - LEICESTER TIGERS

If we cast our minds back to 12 months ago, Leicester Tigers scrum half Jack van Poortvliet had the England nine jersey at his fingertips. Heading into the Rugby World Cup, England had a Summer of warm-up fixtures to get through, in order to iron out the creases of their 36-man squad. Van Portvliet was the heavily favoured halfback to lead Borthwick's men in France, but suffered a horror ankle injury against Wales which curtailed his hopes for the tournament.

The Borthwick butterfly effect then opened up the door to Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who was happy to oblige for the Rugby World Cup squad. However, Mitchell did more than just make up the numbers, and impressed to such an extent he has since established himself as the front-runner for the England scrum half spot. Jump back to the present day, and Van Poortvliet is back tearing up trees for Leicester. The Tigers man has his sights set on his East Midlands rival, and the goal of regaining the England nine shirt for the tour of Japan and New Zealand.

Van Poortvliet certainly put his front foot forward for this case, and impressed all onlookers with his final round try against Exeter Chiefs. JVP helped end the Chiefs' hopes for a late play-offs push, with his 26th minute score helping Leicester towards a solid first half points tally. Van Poortvliet spied a gap in the Chiefs defence from the back of a ruck, and scurried through unscathed ahead of a race to the try-line. A tricky piece of footwork through the last defender off his trail, as he capped off a stunning effort which has only helped his chances for an England re-calling.

An honourable mention is also in order for Van Poortvliet's Leicester teammate Ollie Hassle-Collins. The formidable wing has not seen England action since his brief run in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, yet has been putting his hand up for an international comeback since swapping London Irish for Leicester ahead of the 2023/24 season. OHC scored a scorcher of a try to open up Leicester's account against Exeter, as he battled his way through an assortment of Chiefs defenders, in a try that showcased his power along the touchline.

5. TOM ROEBUCK - SALE SHARKS

The fifth name on our shortlist of impressive England hopefuls, Tom Roebuck could finally get the long awaited test match debut this Summer under Borthwick's guidance. The Sale Sharks wing was unfortunate to miss out on a debut during the 2024 Six Nations, despite being named amongst the wider training squad following a stunning 2022/23 campaign.

The 23-year-old is one of the most exciting young talents in the Premiership, and could well be on his way to the Far East for England's test against Japan. With 12 tries to his name this season, Roebuck has built on his form that took Sale to the Premiership Final last season, with his latest score being a crucial one against last year's Premiership victors Saracens.

In an act of bittersweet vengeance from the previous season's finale, Roebuck cut through the Sarries defence with a swift turn of pace, and darted off the right wing to leave Ben Earl in his dust. Sale could well meet Saracens in this season's Premiership Final, and Roebuck would be eager to repeat this impressive try-scoring feat and make it an unlucky 13th try for the North Londoners.

Despite Borthwick not awarding Roebuck his Six Nations debut in the most recent campaign, the door remains open for the wing to make his maiden test appearence against either Japan or the All Blacks this coming June and July. The future looks bright for the equally adapted left or right winger, who offers an exciting brand of attacking versatility, should the likes of Elliot Daly and Tommy Freeman being to fatigue this Summer.