Before England XV take on France XV in Vannes, attention will naturally focus on the established names in the squad.
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However, several lesser-known players have earned their opportunity after impressive seasons at club level.
From emerging front-row talents to exciting backs pushing for higher honours, here is a closer look at five players you may not know much about, including what they could bring to the England setup now and in the future.
1 Nathan Jibulu
Despite missing a significant portion of the season through suspension, Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been one of the standout signings of the campaign and has developed into a genuine top-class talent.
Among Prem hookers this season, Jibulu ranked first for metres per carry, clean breaks per carry and dominant tackles per 90 minutes. Those numbers highlight the all-around impact he brings and underline his potential.
With Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie moving into the later stages of their careers, the 23-year-old is emerging as a strong contender for future international honours. He also gained valuable experience with England A earlier this season against Spain.
2 Archie van der Flier
Archie van der Flier has quietly established himself as one of the most promising young forwards in the Prem. Although he has not attracted widespread attention, he has gained valuable top-flight experience with Leicester Tigers.
With Nicky Smith set to join Sale Sharks, opportunities could open up for the young loosehead, who will also benefit from working alongside experienced recruit Mako Vunipola.
Eligible for Ireland, van der Flier appears well suited to a long-term development pathway. He is a mobile front row forward who combines strong scrummaging with impressive ability in open play.
3 Charlie Atkinson
Charlie Atkinson may be a more familiar name, but his performances for Gloucester this season have reinforced his credentials as a player to watch. After reclaiming the starting fly-half role from Ross Byrne midway through the campaign, he has made the position his own.
Comfortable at both fly-half and full-back, Atkinson played a key role in Gloucester’s strong finish to the season, helping secure Champions Cup rugby for next year.
The 24-year-old is tactically astute and already has one senior England cap, earned against the USA last year. With plenty of development still ahead of him, he remains an exciting prospect.
4 Ted Hill
Ted Hill is well known to Prem followers, though those who primarily watch international rugby may be less familiar with his qualities.
For several years, Hill has hovered on the fringes of the England setup, with many supporters arguing that his performances merit greater opportunities at Test level.
Blessed with impressive size, speed and power, the back row forward has earned only a limited number of England caps. At 27, he is older than many people realise, meaning his window to establish himself internationally is becoming increasingly important.
5 George Kloska
George Kloska has emerged as a strong candidate for international recognition following an impressive season with Bristol Bears alongside Ellis Genge.
His form was already rewarded with inclusion in the Six Nations squad as injury cover.
England’s tighthead options currently lack depth, particularly with Will Stuart unavailable. Beyond Joe Heyes, the pecking order remains uncertain, which could create an opportunity for Kloska if he is preferred to younger contenders such as Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
Kloska is known for his relentless work rate, regularly contributing at the breakdown and on support lines. He also offers strong handling skills, including quick distribution and effective offloading, making him a well-rounded option in the front row.
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Name the top 10 top-scorers in rugby history:
Scoring points at Test level is one of rugby’s toughest challenges. It takes consistency, longevity and the ability to deliver under pressure against the very best teams in the world.
From legendary fly-halves with metronomic boots to all-time greats who dominated international rugby for more than a decade, these players have piled up points on the sport’s biggest stages.
You have three minutes to name the top 10 highest points scorers in men’s international rugby union history. How many can you get?
