The Rugby World Cup will showcase the best talent the globe has to offer but an incredible bunch of talented players have not been selected.
With that in mind, RUCK.co.uk has compiled the best of the World Cup-rejects that could make a deep run in Japan if pulled together to create a ‘World XV’ for the showpiece event.
15. Alex Goode (England): The European player of the year is possibly the most unlucky out of everyone, but has never been liked by Eddie Jones, earning his last cap in 2016 despite his consistency for Saracens.
Alex Goode named the European Player of the Year.
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) May 11, 2019
Danny Cipriani the RPA Player of the Year.
Eddie Jones: pic.twitter.com/Tfo6dsc7xH
14. Teddy Thomas (France): Despite being one of the best finishers in world rugby, Thomas seems very much out of favour with France at the moment despite scoring 10 tries in his 15 caps.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland): A quality performer, Jones has scored 10 tries in 23 Tests and will rightfully be kicking stones. Taking his place in Gregor Townsend’s World Cup squad are midfielders Peter Horne, Duncan Taylor, Chris Harris and Sam Johnson.
10 – No player has scored more tries for Scotland since the 2015 Rugby World Cup than Huw Jones (10, level with Stuart Hogg). Overlooked. pic.twitter.com/OQmwi1RQGX
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 3, 2019
12. Ben Te’o (England): The centre was the high-profile omission from England’s 31-man squad for Japan after a second breach of discipline in recent months.
11. Santiago Cordero (Argentina): The pacy Puma was one of the stars of the last World Cup but seems to have hurt his selection chances by moving overseas to play in the Gallagher Premiership.