'One cap between five' - England’s five best young players from 2015 - where are they now?

Rugby News
Friday, 11 June 2021 at 22:43
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Following the disastrous World Cup campaign in 2015 and the appointment of Eddie Jones, the Telegraph's writers selected the untried or under-used young players available.
To be frank, their selection didn't turn out great with only one of the five winning a single cap.

#1. Will Fraser

They wrote: "The openside looked set for a place in England’s World Cup squad after outplaying Chris Robshaw in a Premiership match against Harlequins in September 2014 only to see his hopes dashed when he required surgery on a back injury in January. It was the latest in a series of injury setbacks by the 26 year-old is back to full fitness."
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Where he is now: The Saracens flanker was forced to retire at the age of 27 in 2017 due to a neck injury. Fraser hanging up his boots without an England cap to his name was nothing short of a travesty, but after 10 operations and a series of glorious highs and traumatic lows, he will forever be remembered as one of Saracens’ own “Class of 92”.
DID YOU KNOW? He was tipped to travel with the England senior squad for the tour of Argentina before being ruled out through an injury sustained with Saracen

#2. Dave Ewers

They wrote: "The 24-year-old Zimbabwe-born Exeter flanker was a surprise omission from England’s 50-man World Cup training squad after being shortlisted for Premiership forward of the season in May, scoring five tries in 26 appearances. A blindside specialist, he offers explosive power and bone-crunching commitment."
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Where he is now: In February 2016 he was called up to England's 2016 Six Nations squad, but he failed to make an appearance. Remains firmly out of the picture.
DID YOU KNOW? Ewers family left Zimbabwe when he was 13. His father was a teacher and working on a farm at the time.

#3. Ed Slater

They wrote: "Terrible luck with injuries – he played on with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in an uncapped fixture against the Crusaders in 2014 – but when fit the Leicester captain has the bulk and brutishness that was missing from England’s World Cup second rows."
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Where he is now: He's managed to stay fit since joining Gloucester in 2017 but has been overlooked by Jones in favour of younger or already established second-rows.
DID YOU KNOW? Born in Leicester Slater began his rugby career at Milton Keynes RUFC before moving to Australia

#4. Josh Beaumont

 They wrote: "Thanks to his father, Bill, he possesses the pedigree and requisite frame whether employed in the second row or at No 8. The Sale Shark has appeared in an uncapped fixture against the Barbarians and next step would seem a matter of time."
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Where he is now: Every time he gets the call from Jones he seems to suffer an injury, missing the 2016 Six Nations and the 2016 summer tour of Australia due to various knocks. He's simply never had a good enough run of games to force his way back into contention since.
DID YOU KNOW? Beaumont is the son of former England rugby union captain Bill Beaumont

#5. Joe Simpson

They wrote: "He may have won one cap back in 2011 but has been very much on the periphery since. There is little doubt that he is the quickest scrum-half in England, and therefore the most dangerous, but it is a question of whether his game management can stand the highest pressure."
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Where he is now: A frustrated figure at Wasps, stuck behind Dan Robson in the pecking order. He since left the Ricoh for Gloucester and has impressed thus far. However, he has never been close to a recall.
DID YOU KNOW? Simpson was born in Australia to a New Zealand mother and English father, both rugby enthusiasts. He has one younger brother called Michael.

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