Gloucester winger Christian Wade could be in line for a sensational England recall, 11 years after earning his only cap for the Red Rose.
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According to RUCK sources, England head coach Steve Borthwick has been impressed by Wade’s performances following his return to the Premiership with Gloucester.
Borthwick was in attendance at Ashton Gate when George Barton’s late penalty secured a thrilling victory for Gloucester over Bristol. Wade stole the show, scoring a hat-trick that helped his side build an 18-point lead with just 17 minutes to play. Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas and Gareth Anscombe also crossed the line to add to their total.
Wade’s Focus on Club Rugby
After the game, Wade downplayed the potential England call-up, telling the Express, “I didn’t know Steve was there. It’s good for the younger guys and those in the team to show what they can do, but my focus is on Gloucester.”
He added, “If England opportunities come up, it’s an added bonus. I’ve had my fair share of focusing on that in the past, and when things don’t go your way, it can take a mental toll.”
A Decade Away from the International Stage
Wade earned his first and only England cap in 2013 during a tour of Argentina. That same year, he narrowly missed out on a second cap after being called up to the British & Irish Lions squad by Warren Gatland for their successful tour of Australia.
Later in 2013, Wade was set to face Argentina in the Autumn Internationals but was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury, ending what could have been a breakout year for the winger.
NFL Stint and Return to Rugby
Following his time in international exile, Wade made a bold move to try his hand at American football, joining the NFL. After his NFL venture, he returned to rugby, joining Racing 92 before his current stint with Gloucester, where he now finds himself back in England’s rugby spotlight.
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10 Most Overrated Players in Rugby Ranked
Many high-profile players continue to polarize opinions in the rugby world—one player might be considered overrated by some but highly regarded by others, leading to endless debates.
Here is RUCK Editor Steve Smith’s attempt at ranking the top 10 most overrated players in the world right now.
10 Most Overrated Players in Rugby Ranked
10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.
9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.
8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England’s key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.
