"Former Sevens Star" Three Uncapped England Wildcards for 2023 Rugby World Cup

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is fast approaching, and there are just a just a few international test matches left for these three England wildcards to impress Steve Borthwick.

In a series of Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Steve Borthwick’s side take on Wales twice, alternating between Cardiff and Twickenham. England then head back to Dublin to take on 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam Winners Ireland, before Fiji provide one last speedbump on the road to France.

Squad depth will be key for Borthwick during the Summer, and he will look to call up some fringe players for last-chance run outs before the World Cup. Here are three more players hoping to make a last minute impact, and secure a late spot for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

The Bristol Bears star certainly knows where the try-line is as he has scored 10 tries throughout the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season. This sets Thacker apart as the highest scoring hooker in the league, and he could well be a solid choice to add squad depth in the number two jersey.

Thacker also leads the scoring charts for any forward in the Gallagher Premiership this season, with Leicester Tigers hooker Julien Montoya the second highest with eight tries. The skilful, high-octane hooker Thacker is a definitive fan favourite for the Bears, and has been providing stand-out appearances in the Premiership, since his debut for Leicester Tigers in 2013. Joing Bristol following the West Country clubs return to the top flight in 2018, Thacker has gone from strength to strength ever since.

It is a shock to see Thacker overlooked for an England call-up for so long, yet the 29-year-old has previously received international recognition at age group level. In 2014, Thacker made five appearances and scored four tries for the England U20s side, yet was unable to press on for a full England call-up.

A powerful line runner with deceptive pace, Thacker combines physical ability with impressive passing, and the wherewithal to make the correct decision in attack. Included in the Guardian's Team of the Year for the 2018/19 Premiership season, Thacker is fully deserving of an England cap, and the upcoming Summer could see him make his long awaited run out in an England shirt.

A name that has been in the England discussion this season, London Irish back-rower Tom Pearson is an exciting young talent and certainly one for the future. But could a late call-up into the England squad be on the cards for the 23-year-old? Well, it has been reported that London Irish Head Coach Declan Kidney was in discussion with England Head Coach Steve Borthwick, yet nothing has been definitively set in stone just now.

“What we did was, Steve called over, we had a good chat, we went through all the players that qualify for England. It would be wrong to be picking out one over the other, so it was just a good open chat. And he explained where he is, and we explained where we were, and it was just sharing where everything is really." Declan Kidney said.

“We compared notes. And we are pretty similar notes as to what Tom is working on, Tom is very aware of those himself. And he’s like all young players, or like all players really, all players have work-ons, so he’s already on those cases. And we agreed with that when we discussed it.”

An untimely injury to an England flanker would open up an opportunity for the young Exiles star, and Borthwick may want to test the back-rowers' international ability in during one of the World Cup Warm Up fixtures. Pearson has previously been on the fringes with England during the Eddie Jones era, but never made it onto the pitch, when he was part of the wider training group for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations. Borthwick may soon be looking at Pearson as a candidate to bolster the back-row for England's easier Pool stage matches, and when the competition begins to take it's toll on the starters.

An exciting part of the exhilarating Harlequins back-line, Nick David has put his hand up for England contention this season with edge-of-your-seat performances in the famous quarters. David lights up the stoop when he gets the ball, and adds an exciting dynamic edge to the Harlequins attack.

When Quins Attack Coach Nic Evans was part of the England coaching staff, fans were hoping to see the likes of Nick David, Cadan Murley and Louis Lynagh wear the rose before too long. However, none such fortune materialised for the young Quins flyers, with Murley getting the closest as he made Borthwick's wider training group for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

A versatile back-three player, David is comfortable playing on the wing or at fullback, which could prove valuable as England's pace-setters may need a well-earned break in the latter moments of a match. The 24-year-old has previously played age-group rugby for England, shining throughout the U16s, U18s and U19s. He arrived at the Twickenham Stoop in 2021, after making his breakthrough at Worcester Warriors.

With rapid pace, and the ability to set off the afterburners, it is no wonder that the Quins star is a former Premiership Sevens player with the Warriors. David could certainly add an extra level of dynamism to the England squad, as the fullback is a proven ball carrier; his 1096m made in the Premiership is the second highest out of all the players across the league, with just Exeter Chiefs Olly Woodburn ahead of him.