New Caps in 2026

[Scrumhead]

I saw an article on Rugby Pass picking out the next 5 players to be capped by the All Blacks and thought it was worth discussing what that might look like for us.

My list would be:

Afo Fasogbon Stuart and AOF’s injuries create an obvious gap at Tighthead. Heyes will need understudies and, having been in the touring party in Argentina, Davison and Fasogbon look to be the most likely candidates. Davison is already capped, but it seems likely one of Fasogbon or Sela will be in the mix to pick up some game time in the 6N. From a form POV, Sela probably edges it. However, I’m going for Fasogbon given the time he’s already had in camp.

Nathan Jibulu After LCD and George, there’s a significant drop off. Dan seems to have retained his place as 3rd choice, but I can see Jibulu and Tuipolotu making an increasingly strong case for inclusion. I’ve gone for Jibulu on the basis that he’s getting more regular game time to push for selection.

Ben Bamber We lack big beasts and Bamber could provide important bulk and work rate. I wasn’t a particular fan until recently, but he’s converted me with his performances this season. It looks like something has really clicked and I’d regard him as a very, very interesting prospect.

Emeka Ilione But for a badly timed injury, it might have already happened. The back row battle is unbelievably tough but if he can pick up where he left off pre-injury, I think he’s a serious contender who Borthwick clearly rates.

Noah Caluori I’m still a bit hesitant about the speed of the hype train, but with Freeman looking great at 13 and Roebuck struggling for fitness, there could be an opening for a winger who excels in the air. He’s obviously very much on the radar, so I think a cap is a matter of time.

Honourable mentions: Vilakesi Sela, Kepu Tuipolotu, Charlie Bracken, Greg Fisilau, Emmanuel Iyogun

[FKAS]

I think hooker is a good shout for a fresh cap. Jibulu would be the obvious candidate but I also wouldn't be surprised to see him in the squad but not the 23 and have LCD/George mop up the caps.

Fasogbon, yep feels very likely. Could be an incredible impact sub as well.

If Ilione can get back fit again then yeah he has a chance but Fisilau also must be in with a shout. If Borthwick wants an all action 8 with a big work rate then Fisilau is growing into that role and has been in England A sides. The only thing you might say is he lacks the size of an international 8 as he isn't he biggest but now TWillis is unavailable none of our guys are. Given that we like five backrows in every 23 there's definite opportunity.

Ben Bamber might make the squad but I can see him playing unless there's injuries. Chessum is back fit, Itoje is returning, CCS is a favourite for the 19 shirt given his versatility and there's also Coles and Arthur Clarke.

Borthwick has built out the depth of squad to the point where whilst we can see players doing well enough to maybe make the squad it's quite tough to see many making the squad unless there's multiple injuries in one position. Not sure Calouri will make an appearance; OHC, Radwan, Murley, Arundell etc all available. Calouri is useful to have in squad as opposition, don't think he's ready to make the step up just yet.

[Danno]

If we have an injury at lock and Chessum remains perpetually borked I wouldn't be surprised to see Jr Kpoku get a go in the autumn, but he'll probably get a training squad call up at least

I was hoping Blamire would kick on, because the guys other than George and LCD are a bit too young/raw, but it doesn't seem like it's ever going to happen (and we've suffered enough from LCD's darts and farts to put another set piece flake there)

Fisilau is looking like a bit of an inevitability with the way he's playing, could be booting Earl out by the end of the season.

My biggest worry is SH if Mitchell goes down. Spencer isn't good enough and the rest are either constantly in rehab or too raw, albeit coming along well. (Archie mainly), although Will Porter might get a nod

[Scrumhead]

Kpoku won’t be an option unless he signs for a Premiership club next summer. He was very was very vocal about his ambitions at one point, but things have quietened down a bit on that front and he’s not as obviously ‘on the radar’. The challenge for him is that he is another mobile, athletic lock which is nice to have but not really solving a problem. Bamber brings something a bit different.

Fisilau definitely has a good shout but the comment that ‘could be booting Earl out by the end of the season’ is a spectacularly wild take. He looks very good at club and England A level, but we don’t even know if he can translate that to full tests, so the prospect of him leapfrogging one of Borthwick’s favourites who has been consistently good/very good feels extremely unlikely to me. Pollock might do that. Fisilau … I doubt it.

Agreed on Scrum Half. MacParland had a great game vs. Bath but has also had some stinkers this season. The potential is there, but I think he’s a year or two off. Charlie Bracken looks like the more consistent ‘up and coming’ option who has also had the benefit of making some training squads. Even with my Quins quartered specs, Porter is nowhere near IMO.

[fivepointer]

Good list with even those with honourable mentions look highly promising to me. I'm a big Fisilau fan but back row is so competitive that he might have to bide his time.
I do think hooker needs attention and its surely here that a new player will be introduced. Jibulu might just be the one as Tuipolotu doesnt seem to be getting much game time at Bath.

[FKAS]

Fisilau definitely has a good shout but the comment that ‘could be booting Earl out by the end of the season’ is a spectacularly wild take. He looks very good at club and England A level, but we don’t even know if he can translate that to full tests, so the prospect of him leapfrogging one of Borthwick’s favourites who has been consistently good/very good feels extremely unlikely to me. Pollock might do that. Fisilau … I doubt it.

We like to have five in a match day squad and it's pretty attritional.

Underhill, Curry, Curry, Pepper, Earl and Pollock will be the ones primarily battling it out for those five spots but it's fairly easy to see a couple picking up injuries and then an opportunity arises.

[Oakboy]

Fascinating thread.

Fisilau just might have something extra in his psyche. It may appeal to SB that he seems so good to play with, bringing about raised levels of performance around him. That happens in different ways of course. Tom Willis does it by smashing holes in defences. Fisilau just does the right thing at the right time for the team.

Unless there are injuries, I doubt he will get a chance. However, if he does, I would not be surprised if he stays in because the performance level of the back row goes up a notch with him as part of it.

[Scrumhead]

Fisilau definitely has a good shout but the comment that ‘could be booting Earl out by the end of the season’ is a spectacularly wild take. He looks very good at club and England A level, but we don’t even know if he can translate that to full tests, so the prospect of him leapfrogging one of Borthwick’s favourites who has been consistently good/very good feels extremely unlikely to me. Pollock might do that. Fisilau … I doubt it.

We like to have five in a match day squad and it's pretty attritional.

Underhill, Curry, Curry, Pepper, Earl and Pollock will be the ones primarily battling it out for those five spots but it's fairly easy to see a couple picking up injuries and then an opportunity arises.

Sure, I agree. Hence why I think there’s a good shout of Ilione or Fisilau getting a shot in 2026. However, there’s a big difference between picking up a cap or two and ‘booting Earl out’ which is the comment I responded to.

[Puja]

Fascinating thread.

Fisilau just might have something extra in his psyche. It may appeal to SB that he seems so good to play with, bringing about raised levels of performance around him. That happens in different ways of course. Tom Willis does it by smashing holes in defences. Fisilau just does the right thing at the right time for the team.

Unless there are injuries, I doubt he will get a chance. However, if he does, I would not be surprised if he stays in because the performance level of the back row goes up a notch with him as part of it.

Impressive enthusiasm - I've been pleased by Fisilau's improvement this season as well, but I'm not sure I'm quite at that level of paean for him yet. He is looking very good though and I can definitely see him making the 6N squad, although it'll take an injury to Pollock or Earl to get him into the XXIII. I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Kpoku won’t be an option unless he signs for a Premiership club next summer. He was very was very vocal about his ambitions at one point, but things have quietened down a bit on that front and he’s not as obviously ‘on the radar’. The challenge for him is that he is another mobile, athletic lock which is nice to have but not really solving a problem. Bamber brings something a bit different.

Kpoku is heavily rumoured to be returning to the Prem next season as he's not in favour at Racing and Sale are after him. I think he'll stand a decent chance of a cap, given how little cover we have there. Bamber has only recently started demonstrating why there was such a hype about him, to my mind, so I'd like to see that form prolonged before talking about him as a realistic international option, but he's in the same position of Kpoku of "could easily get a cap with a couple of injuries given our current lack".

Puja

[FKAS]

Fisilau definitely has a good shout but the comment that ‘could be booting Earl out by the end of the season’ is a spectacularly wild take. He looks very good at club and England A level, but we don’t even know if he can translate that to full tests, so the prospect of him leapfrogging one of Borthwick’s favourites who has been consistently good/very good feels extremely unlikely to me. Pollock might do that. Fisilau … I doubt it.

We like to have five in a match day squad and it's pretty attritional.

Underhill, Curry, Curry, Pepper, Earl and Pollock will be the ones primarily battling it out for those five spots but it's fairly easy to see a couple picking up injuries and then an opportunity arises.

Sure, I agree. Hence why I think there’s a good shout of Ilione or Fisilau getting a shot in 2026. However, there’s a big difference between picking up a cap or two and ‘booting Earl out’ which is the comment I responded to.

Very fair.

As Puja says I think Earl is sometimes underrated. Like you and Puja I can't see him missing out unless it's injury or suspension.

[Captainhaircut]

Sotutu and BJVR?

[Scrumhead]

I was waiting for this comment …

[Oakboy]

I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Puja

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

[francoisfou]

I would’ve thought that Gabriel Oghre’s name would be mentioned as with what I’ve read and seen (albeit not that much), he’s impressed.

[Scrumhead]

I like Oghre a lot and he probably should have been involved over Dan before now.

The only reason he’s not been mentioned here is because he’s already been capped (once!).

I think Jibulu is more suited to test rugby though. Not quite as dynamic as Oghre but much better set piece and defensive work.

[FKAS]

I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Puja

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

I believe that was the idea.

[francoisfou]

The only reason he’s not been mentioned here is because he’s already been capped (once!).

Didn’t know that ! (against the US in July)

[Oakboy]

I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Puja

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

I believe that was the idea.

Quite but when do they get tested over 80 or for 60 etc. etc.? IF the system is the best way to proceed how will it be juggled? Or, is there a better system? And, more pertinent to the thread title, will Fisilau (or someone else) be better at the system or be so effective as to cause it to change? 'A big 6 might' was just one thought.

[Puja]

I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Puja

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

I wiĺl note that Pollock did indeed bring tremendous energy and take things up a notch in terms of intensity, but not all of that energy was always directed smartly or usefully. A key example was his unnecessary shoulder-check on ALB as Roebuck scored against NZ - enthusiastic "helping" that so easily could've seen the try chalked off.

He's terrific value as a sub to raise the energy, but I'd be concerned about starting him in a big game cause he's so young and so cocky and nowhere near as canny as he thinks he is - he'll be incredible in a few years time, but he does still have a lot of learning still to do and it'll only come with age and experience.

Puja

[Danno]

Ehh I was drunk and thought I was Neil Fissler, get off my case Scrumhead

[Danno]

I think we very much do undervalue Earl around here - he's not an international quality 7, but he is a superb 8.

Puja

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

I wiĺl note that Pollock did indeed bring tremendous energy and take things up a notch in terms of intensity, but not all of that energy was always directed smartly or usefully. A key example was his unnecessary shoulder-check on ALB as Roebuck scored against NZ - enthusiastic "helping" that so easily could've seen the try chalked off.

He's terrific value as a sub to raise the energy, but I'd be concerned about starting him in a big game cause he's so young and so cocky and nowhere near as canny as he thinks he is - he'll be incredible in a few years time, but he does still have a lot of learning still to do and it'll only come with age and experience.

Puja

That trip on the way to the line while he was looking at the crowd/screen and only barely finished the score springs to mind as well. Plenty of learning to come, but he's doing preeeetty well overall. As you sort of hint, or at least as I interpreted it, he might need to be taken down a peg for a bit to improve his overall game and to play for the team a bit more, over the personal glory.

I'd be interested to see Raggs' ruck marks on him, I don't notice him much around there

[Puja]

Maybe??? I still rate him as an adequate 8 rather than 'superb'. SB may be starting to agree with you, though, based on the AIs. In the first couple of games he brought Earl off for Pollock. Later, he brought Pepper off and left Earl on. It's all opinion and only SB's counts. Until T Curry and Pollock start games it's arguable in any direction. My take was that Curry and Pollock took things up a notch every time they came on - again, it's arguable whether one or both made the difference.

Having said that, I still have reservations about 6:2 and two back rowers on the bench. Will the strategy last or is it just a short-term fashion? I suppose one factor limiting Earl and Underhill's status is the line-out. Pepper, Curry and Pollock can provide an option. A 28 year-old Lawes would demand the 6 shirt and change everything perhaps. Is Pepper that man or will SB continue the search?

I wiĺl note that Pollock did indeed bring tremendous energy and take things up a notch in terms of intensity, but not all of that energy was always directed smartly or usefully. A key example was his unnecessary shoulder-check on ALB as Roebuck scored against NZ - enthusiastic "helping" that so easily could've seen the try chalked off.

He's terrific value as a sub to raise the energy, but I'd be concerned about starting him in a big game cause he's so young and so cocky and nowhere near as canny as he thinks he is - he'll be incredible in a few years time, but he does still have a lot of learning still to do and it'll only come with age and experience.

Puja

That trip on the way to the line while he was looking at the crowd/screen and only barely finished the score springs to mind as well. Plenty of learning to come, but he's doing preeeetty well overall. As you sort of hint, or at least as I interpreted it, he might need to be taken down a peg for a bit to improve his overall game and to play for the team a bit more, over the personal glory.

I'd be interested to see Raggs' ruck marks on him, I don't notice him much around there

He's generally pretty active at rucks and tends to put his all into them from what I saw on my m-b-ms, but again it oscillates between superb and clumsily overenthused. He will too often throw himself into a lost cause of a jackal or a drive to turnover, when the smart thing to do would be disengage/not even enter and join the defence to make an impact the next phase instead. But then he does come up with turnovers that few others would, so it's swings and roundabouts. He is good at listening to the ref about when to leave it, which is a talent.

More of the same really - a couple of years of experience and growing up and he will be one of the best players in the world. Probably doesn't even need the taking down the peg or two - just needs that experience of having had more than 30 starts (his current total across Saints (incl Prem Cup), Bedford, and England A) and the nous of knowing the right thing to do at the right time.

Puja

[Danno]

*like*

[Oakboy]

I think SB is managing Pollock's progress well, so far. According to everything I have read and heard, the lad's perceived cockiness does not restrict his eagerness to learn and improve.