England winger could receive recall 11 years after his only cap for his country

According to RUCK sources, England head coach Steve Borthwick has been impressed by Wade’s performances following his return to the Premiership with Gloucester.

Borthwick was in attendance at Ashton Gate when George Barton’s late penalty secured a thrilling victory for Gloucester over Bristol. Wade stole the show, scoring a hat-trick that helped his side build an 18-point lead with just 17 minutes to play. Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas and Gareth Anscombe also crossed the line to add to their total.

After the game, Wade downplayed the potential England call-up, telling the Express, "I didn't know Steve was there. It’s good for the younger guys and those in the team to show what they can do, but my focus is on Gloucester."

He added, "If England opportunities come up, it’s an added bonus. I’ve had my fair share of focusing on that in the past, and when things don’t go your way, it can take a mental toll."

Wade earned his first and only England cap in 2013 during a tour of Argentina. That same year, he narrowly missed out on a second cap after being called up to the British & Irish Lions squad by Warren Gatland for their successful tour of Australia.

Later in 2013, Wade was set to face Argentina in the Autumn Internationals but was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury, ending what could have been a breakout year for the winger.

Following his time in international exile, Wade made a bold move to try his hand at American football, joining the NFL. After his NFL venture, he returned to rugby, joining Racing 92 before his current stint with Gloucester, where he now finds himself back in England’s rugby spotlight.

Many high-profile players continue to polarize opinions in the rugby world—one player might be considered overrated by some but highly regarded by others, leading to endless debates.

Here is RUCK Editor Steve Smith's attempt at ranking the top 10 most overrated players in the world right now.

10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.

9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.

8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England's key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.

7. Sam Cane (New Zealand) – As captain of the All Blacks, Cane faces high expectations. Some fans feel his leadership and performances haven't lived up to the level of his predecessors, like Richie McCaw, making him a target for criticism.

6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) - Including Kolisi on a list of overrated players can be controversial due to his significant achievements and leadership. However, some critics argue that Kolisi's global prominence, particularly after leading South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup victory, has overshadowed his on-field performances, which they claim are not always as impactful as his leadership role. Detractors might suggest that his leadership and symbolic importance sometimes eclipse his actual playing ability when compared to other top-tier flankers.

5. Marcus Smith (England) – A highly talented and creative fly-half, Marcus Smith has been heralded as the future of English rugby. However, some feel the hype around him has outpaced his actual impact on the international stage, particularly in tight, high-pressure matches, where consistency has been an issue.

4. Owen Farrell (England) – One of England’s most polarising figures, Farrell’s leadership and kicking ability are unquestionable, but his sometimes abrasive playing style, along with a lack of creativity in attack, has led some to question whether he’s overhyped, especially when he was England’s primary playmaker.

3. Finn Russell (Scotland) – Known for his flair and creativity, Russell is sometimes seen as overrated due to his high-risk, high-reward style of play. While he can produce magical moments, his inconsistency and decision-making under pressure are often questioned.

2. Faf de Klerk (South Africa) – Known for his high-energy style and defensive work, de Klerk is a polarising figure. While he’s a key player for South Africa, critics argue that his decision-making, particularly in attack, and reliance on kicking can make him overrated compared to the top scrum-halves in the world.

1. Romain Ntamack (France) – Despite his brilliant displays for France, Ntamack has faced criticism for not always living up to the high expectations, especially when compared to other top international fly-halves. Some feel his performances lack consistency in critical moments.