The semi-finals have been confirmed for the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM Rugby season, following a dramatic last round to the regular campaign.
Exeter Chiefs confirmed their spot in the top four with a hard-fought victory over Saracens, to end the 15-year Mark McCall era upon an underwhelming note for the Londoners. The Chiefs take on Bath at the Rec in the semi-finals for a blockbuster West Country derby, whilst Northampton Saints host Leicester Tigers for a stellar clash between the old East Midlands rivals.
With the end of the PREM Rugby season coming in over the horizon, the attention will then turn to the first ever Nations Championship, with the Southern Series kicking off in July. England are preparing for a trip down to Johannesburg for the opening round, to take on the Springboks at the fabled Ellis Park.
Whilst the odds are stacked against Steve Borthwick’s side, this past weekend witnessed a handful of uncapped England talents put their hands up for inclusion. Here’s who stood out from Round 18 of the Gallagher PREM, in a bid to get a place on the plane for the upcoming Nations Championship.
5 ENGLAND HOPEFULS WHO IMPRESSED: PREM RUGBY ROUND 18
BEN REDSHAW (GLOUCESTER)
We kick off this five man short-list with young Gloucester flyer Ben Redshaw, who was on hand to deliver a thunderous performance against his former club. It was an emphatic win for the Cherry and Whites to close out their PREM Rugby season, with Redshaw hammering home a hat-trick of tries on Newcastle Red Bulls, who yet again end the league at the bottom of the table.
Redshaw has proven to be an invaluable asset to the Kingsholm faithful, with an England A cap against Spain showing how he is on the Test radar.
OLLY WOODBURN (EXETER CHIEFS)
Whilst there is plenty of time for 21-year-old Ben Redshaw to progress on to the England camp, the same can’t be said about experienced Exeter Chiefs outside back Olly Woodburn.
At 34-years-old Woodburn is playing some of the best rugby of his career, and was integral to Exeter’s impressive win over Saracens to secure their spot in the play-offs. Despite playing his entire career across Bath and Exeter, Woodburn is yet to make his England debut, with the versatile back-three man putting his hand up this weekend.
