Below, we have rounded up five familiar faces that we are certain you will be surprised to learn are still playing.
And to be honest, they're all more likely to. get a call-up from Eddie Jones than Sam Simmonds if recent call-ups are anything to go by.
1. Jonny Wilkinson
England's legendary World Cup-winning fly-half
has been back on the rugby pitch lately - helping Danny Cipriani get his kicking up to scratch ahead of his next move. Wilkinson, who still kicks goals three of four times a week, has reportedly enjoyed it so much that he could be playing for Lions legends XV in Bermuda later this year.
2. Ben Foden (England)
The former England fullback often turns out for hometown club Chester RFC alongside his brother Tom during the off-season of Major league Rugby, where he plays for New York. Foden suited up for the England National Side for 34 appearances after he got his first cap during the 2009 Six Nations tournament and he recorded 29 starts in those 34 matches. He also got called up to the national side for the 2011 World Cup where he scored two tries.
In October 2019, Foden was a contestant in as a member of the group, Try Star, alongside Levi Davis and . They were eliminated in the semi-final, finishing in fifth place
3. Tom Varndell (England)
Still the Premiership’s record try-scorer with 92 from 180 appearances, primarily from spells at Leicester and Wasps – two of the most successful clubs in the modern era – the 34-year-old had looked to have played his last game after departing Yorkshire Carnegie. However, he's still going with Bury St Edmunds RUFC.
DID YOU KNOW? In November 2004, in only his second appearance with the Tigers senior side, Varndell recorded the fastest hat-trick of tries in Premiership history, doing so in a 13-minute span against Worcester.
4. Andy Goode
The former England fly-half still takes to the pitch when needed, most recently taking to the pitch last November in a charity match to raise money for PC Andrew Harper who was a policeman who was killed on duty. With a slightly more ‘average’ physique than most backs, Goode championed the amateur era of rugby his professional career.
5. Mike Tindall (England)
England legend and World Cup winner Mike Tindall plays a selection of matches for Minchinhampton, the club close to his home. The centre played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was a member of the England squad which won the 2003 World Cup. Tindall also played in eleven
Six Nations Championship competitions from 2000 to 2011.
DID YOU KNOW? Tindall is married to
Zara Phillips, the daughter of
Anne, Princess Royal, and the eldest granddaughter of
Queen Elizabeth II