#3. Billy Vunipola
A summer switch to Montpellier is set to end his international career with England. However, with Australia set to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Vunipola could return to international rugby with the Wallabies.
Players are eligible to represent the nations of their birth after a three-year stand-down period, and Vunipola, who was born in Sydney, fits this criteria.
Having already earned 75 caps for England since his debut in 2013, Vunipola has been a key figure in England’s recent World Cup campaigns, including the 2019 final and the third-place finish in the 2023 tournament in France.
Vunipola’s last appearance for England was during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, meaning he would be eligible to play for the Wallabies in 2026, when he will be 34 years old. Despite concerns about his age, Vunipola’s upcoming move to France could provide him with the opportunity to rejuvenate his career.
The trend of players finding success in their later years after moving to France for reduced schedules and warmer climates is well-documented, with examples such as England’s Jonny Wilkinson, who went on to win multiple European Cups with Toulon.