Three All Blacks stars could make shock England debuts NEXT MONTH

Rugby News
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Three Newcastle Red Bulls players with All Blacks connections could be in contention for England selection ahead of November's internationals.
Hoskins Sotutu, Max Hicks and Pouri Rakete-Stones have all represented New Zealand sides, with Sotutu winning 14 senior Test caps.
All three have potential routes to England eligibility, although clearance for November has not been confirmed.
And while Sotutu is the biggest name, Hicks has arguably been Newcastle's best recruit so far this season.

1. Hoskins Sotutu

The former All Blacks number eight won 14 caps between 2020 and 2022.
Sotutu helped the Blues win Super Rugby Pacific in 2024 before joining Newcastle this summer.
The 28-year-old qualifies for England through his mother and has completed the three-year stand-down period required for a potential international switch.
He made his first Newcastle start against Leicester Tigers, helping create a try for Obi Ene with a powerful break.
Sotutu would still need World Rugby approval before representing England.

2. Max Hicks

Arguably the pick of Newcastle's summer signings.
The former Māori All Blacks forward has impressed in the opening rounds of the Gallagher PREM, making 79 carrying metres, beating three defenders and completing 16 tackles across his first two appearances.
Newcastle boss Dan McFarland believes there is more to come.
"He has good speed and is a good ball carrier and we haven't seen the best of him by any stretch of the imagination," he told RugbyPass.
The 26-year-old previously played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and can operate at lock or blindside flanker.
Hicks has never won a senior New Zealand cap. His England eligibility still needs confirming.

3. Pouri Rakete-Stones

The former Hurricanes prop has already made his England ambitions clear.
Rakete-Stones, who represented both the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, qualifies through his English grandparents.
"I'm definitely aiming to play for that England team," he previously told RugbyPass.
The 28-year-old can play on either side of the scrum and has featured in Newcastle's opening two league fixtures.
He has made 15 tackles and carried for 25 metres.
Rakete-Stones also represented New Zealand Under-20s, winning the Junior World Championship in 2015.

Other New Zealand players who switched to England

Brad Shields: Represented New Zealand Under-20s and trained with the All Blacks before winning eight England caps between 2018 and 2019.
Shontayne Hape: Played rugby league for New Zealand before switching codes with Bath. Won 13 England caps.
Denny Solomona: Auckland-born winger who represented Samoa in rugby league before qualifying for England. Scored on his Test debut against Argentina in 2017.
Dylan Hartley: Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, before moving to England as a teenager. Went on to captain England and win 97 caps.
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