England wonderkid dubbed 'special talent' by Sir Ian McGeechan is now exiled and capless

Writing his list in 2020, McGeechan had this to say about playmaker.

He wrote in the Telegraph: "Probably the closest of the English players on this list to an international call-up. Simmonds has quietly become an excellent fly-half with consistently good decision making and plays well under pressure.

"His kicking is incredibly accurate – there was a stage before Christmas when he was 26/26 in all competitions – and he has a great coaching group around him, with Rob Baxter and Ali Hepher, who I know well and really rate from our Northampton days."

However, now aged 26, and with a move to Pau agreed this summer it seems very unlikely at this stag that Simmonds will ever win a cap.

According to Midi Olympique, he comes to replace Zack Henry, leaving for the Stade Français. Former England and Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson has also signed contract extension with Pau.

Having captained Exeter to a Premiership and Champions Cup double a few years ago, there's probably an argument to suggest he's one of the best players to never win a cap.

That double triumph was rewarded on an even higher scale when Joe Simmonds was given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

McGeechan said: "I know his father well, so I have followed Cameron's career fairly closely. I like what I see. Tall, rangy, more of a centre than a 10."

McGeechan said: "Jacobson is an all-rounder who captained the Junior All Blacks to victory at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2017 - a powerful ball-carrier and support player with a real presence on the field."

McGeechan said: "Another one off the Leinster independent schools production line (Blackrock College) and one of the standout No 8s in this season's Champions Cup."

McGeechan said: "“I have watched a lot of him. He never looks flustered on the ball, which is the hallmark of a great player and he has been in and around the England squad without yet being capped.”

McGeechan said: "You cannot put a price on outright pace. Rees-Zammit has it in abundance, and, combined with his finishing ability, you begin to understand why the hype surrounding him has been so intense. Definitely a possible Lion."