Does England waste talent? It’s something fans of the Red Rose have been asking themselves for decades and it’s something a number of high-profile names in the game have accused the country of doing.
Hugh Vyvyan
The Newcastle and Saracens legend, who made 245 Premiership appearances, won a deserved first England cap against Canada in the Investec Challenge match in 2004 and scored a try.
Stephen Myler
After an injury to Alex Goode he was called up to the England squad in May 2013. He made his début as a substitute for Freddie Burns in England's victory over Argentina, scoring a conversion.
Christian Wade
He made his full test debut against Argentina on 8 June on the right wing playing the whole 80 minutes. Wade was selected for the second game against Argentina the following week but withdrew from the team when he was called up to join the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He, to date, never won another cap.
Steve Hanley
Hanley was one of two Sale players to make their international debut in England’s final match of their 1999 Five Nations campaign along with Barrie-Jon Mather.Although Hanley scored a try, he also was handed-off by Craig Quinnell and suffered a broken arm as Wales won 32–31.
Mark Cornelius van Gisbergen
The New Zealand-born fullback, who played for Wasps in the Premiership, won his only England cap against Australia at Twickenham in 2005.
Chris Pennell
Worcester Warriors fan favourite fullback, Pennell was called up to the England training squad by coach Stuart Lancaster, and in May 2014 he flew out with the squad for the Barbarians’ fixtures. He made his England debut and only appearance to date during the tour, coming off the bench in the 20-15 loss to New Zealand
Anthony Allen
He made his England debut against New Zealand on 5 November 2006, partnering Newcastle Falcons' Jamie Noon in the centre. Allen received multiple stitches in his mouth halfway through that first half after being hit in the face by his New Zealand opposite number, and never played again.
Ben Skirving
Skirving travelled to South Africa to take the place of the injured Peter Buxton in the full England squad for their two-test series against the Springboks. The back-rower was not involved in the first test, but won his first England cap starting the second test on 2 June 2007
Darren Crompton
Crompton was selected for the tour of South Africa at the age of 34, nine years after his first senior England tour, as a result of his form in the Premiership. Thus, the tighthead was able to win his full England cap when he took to the field during the first Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein as a replacement for Stuart Turner on 26 May 2007.
Matt Cairns
He was called up to the full England side for their summer tour to South Africa in 2007, earning his first and only cap as a replacement during the first test against the Springboks on 26 May 2007. The hooker though fell victim to the virus that prevented many England players being considered for the second test and that was it for his international career.
Scott Benton
The scrum-half was unlucky enough to find his way to further England honours barred by Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall.












