Ranking Steve Borthwick's 10 England debutants from worst to best
18/04/2024 22:44
England head coach Steve Borthwick has only handed 10 players their international debut since taking the role in December 2022.
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A number of his early debutants struggled, but a number of new stars impressed for the men in white during the 2024 Six Nations.
Below we’re going to rank his debutants from worst to best. Number 10 on the list is Leicester Tigers winger Ollie Hassell-Collins.
The Leicester Tigers winger, who was given his debut by Borthwick in 2023 and went onto win two caps, has already expressed his willingness to swap nations and represent Wales in 2026.
Despite earning two caps for England during last year’s Six Nations, the 25-year-old hasn’t been included in Steve Borthwick’s squad since then. Notably, he was absent from England A’s recent triumph over Portugal.
Ahead of this year’s Six Nations, Gatland had mentioned Hassell-Collins several times, especially during the discussion surrounding another dual-qualified winger, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
"I have seen Gatland's interview," Hassell-Collins told the Telegraph.
"I've got two caps for England, and obviously I'm English. But if I don't see anything in the next few years then it's definitely something that I would consider.
"I would qualify [for Wales] the year of the World Cup – that is, if he still wants me. Wales is still part of who I am.”
England debutants ranked from worst to best
10. Ollie Hassell-Collins
9. Tom Willis
8. Jack Walker
7. Tom Pearson
6. Fraser Dingwall
5. Finn Smith
4. Theo Dan
3. Ethan Roots
2. Chandler Cunningham-South
1. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
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#50. Mike Tindall (England)
#49. Scott Quinnell (Wales)
#48. Matt Dawson (England)
#47. Will Carling (England)
#46. Scott Hastings (Scotland)
#45. Jonny May (England)
#44. Finlay Calder (Scotland)
#43. Maro Itoje (England)
#42. Rob Howley (Wales)
#41. Adam Jones (Wales)
#40. Peter Winterbottom (England)
#39. Andy Irvine (Scotland)
#38. David Sole (Scotland)
#37. Scott Gibbs (Wales)
#36. Lewis Moody (England)
#35. Chris Paterson (Scotland
#34. Mervyn Davies (Wales)
#33. Rory Underwood (England)
#31. Fran Cotton (England)
#30. George North (Wales)
#29. Will Greenwood (England)
#28. Tom Smith (Scotland)
#27. Phil Vickery (England)
#26. Graham Price (Wales)
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