Get ready for a blockbuster showdown as Steve Borthwick gears up for his inaugural summer tour as England boss, set to clash with the mighty All Blacks in 2024.
It's been a decade since England's last visit to New Zealand, a challenging 2014 series under Stuart Lancaster resulting in a 3-0 defeat.
The memories of the 2008 tour aren't any sweeter, with England tasting defeat in both Tests against the All Blacks. However, a glimmer of triumph emerged in 2003, as they secured a thrilling 15-13 victory over New Zealand just before the Rugby World Cup.
In this highly anticipated tour, Borthwick's squad will face a formidable challenge with only two tests against the All Blacks, following a clash with Japan in Tokyo.
Brace yourselves for an action-packed rugby spectacle as England seeks redemption on the Kiw
Below, we look at four uncapped players set to be called up by England boss Steve Borthwick.
#1. Alfie Barbeary (Bath)
One of the most exciting young talents in the English game, Barbeary has been involved in a succession of England squads over the past few years and has made a name for himself in European competition and the Gallagher Premiership.
He marked his senior debut for Wasps with a try just three weeks after turning 18 and has continued his fine scoring form ever since, crossing the whitewash 10 times in 26 league outings since 2019.
In Europe, the Number 8 has produced several player-of-the-match performances, including a superb display against 2021 Heineken Champions Cup winners Toulouse, and has a 1:1 try ratio.
Alfie Barbeary of Bath Rugby celebrates after winning during the Investec Champions Cup Match between Bath Rugby and Racing 92 at the Recreation Ground on 7 January 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
Pepper joined Newcastle Falcons’ senior academy in the summer of 2021, having come through the junior academy.
Born in Harrogate, Guy has been a regular in the England age-grade teams. The traditional openside flanker has been mentored by England legend Richard Hill and starred in the 2020 Academy Under-18s League campaign.
He made his first A-Team appearance against Sale Jets in April 2021, and is studying at Durham University.
Pepper enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022-23, bursting onto the first-team scene after impressing on his debut away at Northampton in October 2022, starting the following weekend when the Falcons won at Gloucester.
Pepper scored three tries in seven games before a season-ending foot injury cut short his campaign, but his ability by that stage was plain to see.
Guy Pepper of Newcastle Falcons during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Newcastle Falcons at the Recreation Ground on 14 October 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
Exeter Chiefs confirmed the signing of highly rated, Lancaster-born Josh Hodge from Newcastle Falcons in June 2020.
A full-back from South Cumbria who represented Sedbergh School, i was promoted to the Falcons' senior academy squad in the summer of 2018.
He played for England Under-18s as well as Falcons' junior academy prior to his promotion and progressing to England Under-19s.
He made a try-scoring debut for the Falcons in their Championship win against Leeds Carnegie and later went on to become the top scorer in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina, kicking 24 goals from 24 and scoring two tries.
As well as being a more than capable rugby player, Hodge has previously been on the books of Preston North End's football academy and is a talented decathlete, finishing fifth in the Under-19s national championships in 2017.
Alongside participating in 10 athletic events, Hodge was asked to train with the Great Britain U21 Development squad in double trap clay pigeon shooting at the age of just 15.
In 2020 he was called up as an apprentice player by England head coach Eddie Jones for the Guinness Six Nations training squad – a happening he describes as a current career highlight.
Hodge made his top-flight debut for the Chiefs at the tail end of the 2019/20 season, featuring in a famous away-day victory against Bristol Bears.
Conversion by England A player Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs) during the International rugby match between England A and Portugal at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on February 25th- PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#4. Rus Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
When your uncle has 65 caps for Fiji, your elder sister is an England international and your cousin has played at a Rugby World Cup, there’s a good chance you were always going to end up in rugby. That impressive family tree belongs to Rusi Tuima.
The nephew of Akapusi Qera, brother of Lagi Tuima and cousin of Joe Cokanasiga, there was always a bit of predestiny about the young Exeter Chiefs back rower.
Born in Suva, Fiji he moved to England with his family when he was four and quickly began to make waves in the rugby world. A product of both the Ivybridge AASE programme and Exeter College, Tuima shone at U18 and U20 level and is quietly forging a name for himself here at Chiefs.
Having been blooded to senior rugby, both with Exeter Braves and on dual-registration with National League side, Plymouth Albion, the powerhouse forward made his Chiefs debut in a Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against Bath at Sandy Park in 2019.
Since then, he made his full Premiership debut coming off the bench against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena in January 2021 and he has earned his way into Rob Baxter's selection plans after some strong on-field showings.
Gallagher Man of the Match Rusi Tuima of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears at Sandy Park, Exeter on 5th Nov 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
