Seven potential debutants for England this Autumn

Thursday, 20 October 2022 at 11:41

byRugby Rucker

Eddie Jones has named his England squad to contest the Autumn Nations Series this November.

The 36-player squad will meet on Monday for a five-day training camp in Jersey. They will then return to the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park, ahead of their first game against Argentina on Sunday 6 November.

There are six uncapped players named in the squad who could potentially make their debut this November.

After their Argentina opener, England host Japan on Saturday 12 November (KO 3.15pm) before taking on New Zealand (Saturday 19 November - KO 5.30pm) and lastly world champions South Africa (Saturday 26 November - KO 5.30pm).

England fixture list:

v Argentina – Sunday, November 6
v Japan – Saturday, November 12
v New Zealand – Sat, November 19
v South Africa – Sat, November 26

Potential Debutants for England’s men’s team this November

#1. Hugh Tizard (Saracens)

Age: 22
Position: Lock

A hugely talented second rower, he made his England age-grade debut in the U19 international against Wales in 2019. He made his Quins debut against Saracens in October 2019.

Hugh Tizard of Saracens after the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Saracens and Gloucester Rugby at Stonex Stadium on 24 September. Photo: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK

An England U20s representative, Tizard made his Premiership debut for Harlequins against Northampton Saints in November 2020 and his Champions Cup debut a few weeks later against Munster.

Tizard left Twickenham Stoop to join Saracens in the summer of 2022.

DID YOU KNOW? A Liverpool fan, he also enjoys playing golf. No Country for Old Men is his favourite film and spaghetti bolognaise his go-to meal.

#2. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)

Age: 23
Position: Lock/Flanker

Coles – who is capable of playing in the second or back row – has earned international recognition, featuring for England Under-16s, Under-18s, and Under-19s before starring throughout the Under-20s’ 2019 season as he represented the Red Rose in both the Six Nations and World Rugby Under-20 Championship.

Alex Coles of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on 11 June. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

During the 2021/22 season, Coles took on the captain’s armband for the first time – leading the side against London Irish and Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

A successful campaign (in which Saints qualified for the Premiership play-offs) ended with Coles making 29 appearances and being named Breakthrough Player of the Season at the Club’s annual awards ceremony.

#3. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)

Age: 23
Position: Winger

A combative runner who represented England U18s and England U20s, Murley has enjoyed a steady rise in the pecking order at the Club since the 2018/19 season where he scored three tries in 12 appearances.

He followed that up with seven tries in 20 games in 2019/20 and three tries in 14 appearances in 2020/21 including a start in the Premiership Final win over Exeter.

Try Celebrations for Cadan Murley of Harlequins as he goes over for a try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins at Sandy Park on 25th September 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#4. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)

Age: 27
Position: Lock

Born in Somerset West in South Africa, his development saw him named Western Province’s young forward of the year in 2016 as well as being included in the Stormers Super Rugby squad that year.

He went onto join Northampton Saints in 2017 and his progress at Franklin’s Gardens saw the English-qualified second row receive a first senior call-up to a training squad in October 2020.

Northampton Saints player David Ribbans during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs on the fourth weekend of the Return to Rugby campaign as rugby continues after COVID 19 lockdown at Franklins Gardens Stadium on 04 Sep. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK/Gallagher

#5. George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons)

Age: 29
Position: Hooker

The 2020-21 campaign saw McGuigan becoming a mainstay of the side, scoring seven tries in his 19 appearances, but it got even better the year after with an incredible 18 tries in 27 games during 2021-22.

The hooker earned a spot in the Premiership Dream Team for his efforts, and was part of the England training squad ahead of their summer programme.

Gallagher Premiership Rugby player of the month for March is Newcastle Falcons, George McGuigan who poses with his Gallagher Player of the Month Trophy. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Gallagher

DID YOU KNOW? The forward has represented Ireland U18 and U20 before taking on England Saxons

#6. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester)

Age: 30
Position: Prop

The Georgian-born prop is a strong scrummager and mobile around the pitch. He made 14 appearances in his first season at the club in 2017, followed by 13 in his second, and recently signed a new contract to extend his stay at Gloucester.

Last season Val boasted a 94% tackle success rate for the Cherry & Whites, and won 10 turnovers

Val Rapava-Ruskin of Gloucester Rugby before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Saracens and Gloucester Rugby at Stonex Stadium on 24 September. Photo: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK

DID YOU KNOW? His first club was Blackheath