Four uncapped England players Steve Borthwick should call up this summer
Rugby NewsWednesday, 19 March 2025 at 20:09
As Steve Borthwick looks to build depth in England’s squad ahead of the next World Cup cycle, a summer series presents the perfect opportunity to blood fresh talent.
With several experienced names likely heading on the Lions tour, these four uncapped players deserve a shot to make their mark in the white jersey.
England will face the United States in Washington on 19 July on the final stop of their summer tour.
The fixture will take place at 20,000-capacity Audi Field with Steve Borthwick's side currently ranked nine places higher in the world than the hosts.
England are already booked in for a two-Test series against Argentina, playing matches in La Plata on 5 July and San Juan on 12 July.
They have won all nine previous meetings with the United States, most recently prevailing 43-29 in 2021.
FOUR UNCAPPED PLAYERS:
Gabriel Ibitoye – Harlequins (Wing)
A lethal finisher with footwork to rival the best, Gabriel Ibitoye has been electric since returning to Harlequins after stints in France and Israel. The 26-year-old brings a unique blend of pace, power, and unpredictability that England’s backline has sorely missed.
Ibitoye’s ability to create something out of nothing makes him a nightmare for defenders, and his defensive work has also improved significantly. If Borthwick wants a dynamic threat out wide, Ibitoye is ready to answer the call.
Max Ojomoh – Bath (Centre)
A classy operator in the midfield, Max Ojomoh has been knocking on the England door for a while. With smooth distribution, intelligent running lines, and a solid defensive presence, the Bath centre offers a well-rounded skillset.
Ojomoh’s ability to play at inside centre or shift to 13 gives Borthwick tactical flexibility, and his understanding of space makes him a creative link between the forwards and backs. With Ollie Lawrence a regular now, pairing him with Ojomoh could add another dimension to England’s attack.
Oscar Beard – Harlequins (Centre/Wing)
Versatility is gold at international level, and Oscar Beard offers just that. Capable of slotting in at centre or on the wing, the 22-year-old has been a standout performer for Harlequins this season. His physicality in defence, coupled with his pace and power in attack, make him an exciting option for England. Beard’s ability to cover multiple positions could be invaluable, especially with Borthwick’s focus on adaptability.
Afolabi Fasogbon – Gloucester (Prop)
At just 20 years old, Afolabi Fasogbon is already making waves as one of the most promising front-row prospects in English rugby.
The powerful loosehead, who has been a standout for London Irish before their collapse, possesses impressive scrummaging technique and a growing presence in the loose. Fasogbon’s physicality and work rate around the park show he’s ready for the step up. With England looking to build for the future, giving the youngster a taste of international rugby now could pay dividends down the line.
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2025 British & Irish Lions Squad: Bookies’ Predictions for the Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their early odds on who will make the squad.
While a lot can change between now and the final selection, these odds give a strong indication of who the bookies believe will be donning the famous red jersey next summer.
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) - 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- Fin Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
- Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland) - 8/11
SCRUM-HALVES (3)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
- Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
- Ben White (Scotland) - 11/10
PROP (3)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
- Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
- Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
- Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
HOOKER (3)
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
- Jamie George (England) - 8/15
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
LOCK (5)
- Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
- Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
- George Martin (England) - 11/10
BACK-ROW (6)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
- Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
- Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
- Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
- Ben Curry (England) - 6/4
Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
From the early days of professionalism to the modern era, England has seen a host of legendary captains wearing the armband.
Whether it's the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let's see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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