A countdown of the 5 worst England players features two rugby league converts – but No 1 is beyond argument.
Whatever the cause, all the following players have either been a major disappointment for one reason or another, and a load of them and have made it into this list.
Scroll down to find out who mate their list of the worst England players.
MOST DISAPPOINTING ENGLAND PLAYERS:
#5. Danny Cipriani
World-class on his day, but I don’t think any England fan will argue that the mercurial fly-half winning just 16 caps during his career can only be considered a complete disaster. He was never able to replicate his club form on the international stage. So disappointing.
Danny Cipriani of Bath Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
#4. Shaun Perry
Much was made of the fact that Shaun Perry was an ex-welder when he burst into the limelight during an impressive season with Bristol, and it did make a charming rags-to-riches story. But, let’s be honest, he never really looked accomplished in the England shirt. A poor performance against South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup led to Perry being dropped from the 22 by England coach Brian Ashton. He never played again.
SHAUN PERRY(R) AND SIMON SHAW(L) OF ENGLAND TACKLING THE BALL
- Photo mandatory by-line: Tom Dulat/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 04/08/2007 - INVESTEC CHALLENGE; ENGLAND V WALES
#3. Andy Hazell
Gloucester stalwart Hazell had the unenviable task of filling the retired Neil Back’s shoes. We can assume that Robinson’s thought process was, “He’s small, he’s aggressive, he’s just like Neil Back”, but unfortunately it didn’t really work out like that. Making his international appearances exclusively through 2004-05, Hazell became known as a bit of a penalty machine.
Gloucester's Andy Hazell gets past London Irish's Brian Blaney - Photo mandatory by-line: Gareth Davies/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 04/02/2012 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - LV Anglo-Welsh Cup - London Irish v Gloucester - , Madejski Stadium, Reading, England, UK
#2. Sam Burgess
England, who fast-tracked Burgess into their World Cup squad in defiance of logic, Bath and the player himself each shoulder varying degrees of blame for arguably the greatest cross-code flop in history. We’re not saying he was an awful player, but the whole thing was a complete disaster.
Sam Burgess of England tackled by Taulupe Faletau of Wales - Photo mandatory by-line: Dean Lancaster/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 26/09/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 - POOL A Match 16 - England v Wales- Twickenham Stadium, London, England.
#1. Lesley Vainikolo
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.
Englands' Lesley Vainikolo about to push aside Wales Lee Byrne - photo mandatory by-line: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile: 0797 1270 681 - 02/02/2008 - SPORT - RUGBY - RBS 6 Nations, ENGLAND V WALES, TWICKENHAM, LONDON