Three England players Steve Borthwick should call-up after this weekend
12/08/2024 12:40 PM
The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup got off to a thrilling start this weekend, with several England hopefuls making a huge impact for their clubs.
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From electrifying attacking displays to gritty forward dominance, these players are pushing their cases for future international selection.
Here's how Alex Mitchell, Val Rapava-Ruskin, and Tom Willis stole the show.
Alex Mitchell – Back with a Bang
Northampton Saints kickstarted their Investec Champions Cup journey with a dominant 38-8 victory over Castres Olympique. The match was headlined by a Player of the Match performance from Juarno Augustus, who bagged two tries despite confirming his departure at the season's end.
Returning from injury, Mitchell was nothing short of electric. The scrum-half's vision and sharp decision-making were on full display as he orchestrated attacks and teed up Curtis Langdon for a crucial try. A performance like this will keep his England ambitions burning bright.
Val Rapava-Ruskin – A Rock for Gloucester
In a game dictated by torrential rain and swirling winds, Gloucester Rugby dug deep to edge out Edinburgh 15-10 in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Tries from Seb Blake and Albert Tuisue sealed the win in challenging conditions.
Enter Val Rapava-Ruskin, who put in a monstrous shift. The loosehead prop dominated the scrum, smashed tackles, and was relentless at the breakdown. His contributions were pivotal to the Cherry and Whites grinding out the win in the storm.
Tom Willis – Sarries' Powerhouse
Saracens made light work of the conditions at the StoneX Stadium to secure a commanding 27-5 win over the Vodacom Bulls in the Investec Champions Cup. With the weather putting a damper on attacking flair, it was all about the pack, and Willis stood tall.
The back-rower was immense, securing two critical turnovers in quick succession and demonstrating his power with a pick-and-go try. Later, he popped up out wide to dot down in the corner, showcasing his versatility. Named Player of the Match, Willis continues to press his case for an England recall.
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The highest-paid rugby players in the world for 2024
RUCK.co.uk breaks down the top 10 highest-paid rugby players in 2024. Figures are based on reports from trusted sources and databases. Note that the amounts mentioned are pre-tax and exclude sponsorship deals, which in some cases double their earnings.
10. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster & Ireland) – £550,000
The Ireland star tighthead prop has been widely regarded as the best in his position for over five years. At 32, Furlong remains an automatic first-choice player for both Leinster and Ireland when fit.
Benefiting from Ireland's exceptional player management system, Furlong is reported to be the highest-paid Irish player in 2024. Should he maintain fitness, he'll likely play a pivotal role at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
9. Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears) – £620,000
Remarkably, Luatua is thought to earn more than any All Black currently playing, despite being from his native New Zealand. The Samoa international is reportedly pocketing £620,000 annually for his services as a flanker at Bristol Bears.
8. Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – £630,000
The Springbok fly-half took a pay cut when leaving Montpellier, where he reportedly earned over £1 million per year. However, he still commands an impressive salary at Welford Road.
7. Antoine Dupont (Toulouse) – £700,000
The French superstar is not only the talisman for Les Bleus but also one of the sport's most marketable figures. Dupont's brilliance on the pitch is matched by his ability to attract lucrative deals off it.
6. Dan Biggar (Toulon) – £800,000
The Welsh fly-half upped his pay when he swapped Northampton Saints for Toulon. Now playing in France, Biggar's experience and leadership continue to earn him top dollar.
5. Siya Kolisi (Lions) – £800,000
South Africa's World Cup-winning captain joined the Lions in 2024, making him one of the highest-paid players in the sport. Kolisi's reported £800,000 salary reflects his immense value on and off the field.
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens) – £850,000
Though Racing 92 reportedly courted him in the past with a £1 million offer, Itoje remains loyal to Saracens, where he's still one of the sport's highest-paid players.
3. Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – £900,000
The Springbok scrum-half's move to Japan has proven to be highly lucrative. De Klerk's deal with Yokohama Canon Eagles not only showcases the growing financial power of Japanese rugby but also cements his status as one of the game's elite earners.
2. Finn Russell (Bath) – £1 million
The Scottish maestro's move to Bath came with a substantial pay rise, making him the highest-earning player in the Premiership. Russell's creative flair justifies his place on this list.
1. Owen Farrell (Racing 92) – £1.2 million
Set to leave Saracens after this season, Farrell has signed a blockbuster deal with Racing 92. The move, confirmed earlier this year, will reportedly see him pocket £1.2 million annually – the highest salary in rugby for 2024.
Can you name every nation to compete at a Rugby World Cup?
25 different teams have made the World Cup finals at least once – but how many of them can you name?
We've given you FIVE minutes to see, with the number of appearances each nation has made given as a clue.
Note: this list and the total number of appearances is up to and including the 2018 World Cup – but not any of the national teams that have qualified for the 2023 tournament, which includes Chile.
The score from the geography whiz in the RUCK office to beat is 23/25. Getting 100% is achievable if you really put your mind to it.
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