6. Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
It has been a mixed bag for Gloucester Rugby and Charlie Atkinson this season, as the Cherry and Whites had an underwhelming ninth-placed Premiership run, yet reached the final of two additional competitions. Atkinson has been an influential player for the Cherry and Whites this term, with the fly-half leading from the front in the wake of Adam Hastings. Despite not featuring in either of the finals, Atkinson helped guide Gloucester to the Premiership Rugby Cup title, and played a part in getting them over the line and into the EPCR Challenge Cup Final.
Despite being just 22-years-old, Atkinson is a classy outfit that plays with an exuberant confidence of a battle tested veteran. The young halfback has a bright future ahead of him, and is an exciting reminder that England’s fly half depth charts go beyond George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. Having said that, the standard of positional competition Atkinson faces is significant should he want to make a test match debut this Summer. However, Borthwick could well roll the dice with Atkinson, and look to his England A coach George Skivington for the best way to utilise his Gloucester talisman.
7. Luke Northmore (Harlequins)
The seventh name rounding off the list of uncapped players, Luke Northmore has received a call-up to the England squad after a stellar season with Harlequins. The versatile centre is adaptable to both the inside and outside channels, and has crossed over for five tries in the famous quarters this campaign. Quins will be looking to further utilise Northmore next season, following the departure of Andre Esterhuizen to EPCR Challenge Cup winners the Sharks.
Harlequins could well have a new England international on their hands when next season comes around, should Borthwick give the 27-year-old the opportunity for a run out in Japan or New Zealand. Northmore also possesses the ability to play on the wing, in a style not too dissimilar to recent England call up and Harlequins teammate Oscar Beard. Northmore’s pace is up to the standard of the league’s top flyers, and he could well be a valuable multi-tool player to take the 23 shirt against the All Blacks, for a replacement appearence at either centre or out-wide on the wings.