At home XV: World-class stars who will miss the July Tests, including Springboks and All Blacks snubs
The summer internationals are now right around the corner, but there are plenty of players who will miss out on representing their countries.
Be that through playing in France, opting for a shot of Olympic glory or even just overlooked this time around, there are some truly quality players who will not be playing on the Test stage in July.
But who are the best ones? Well, Planet Rugby has compiled what we think is the best XV of absent players in the upcoming internationals.
15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Ireland and Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan has been an integral part of Andy Farrell’s side in recent seasons, but this summer, he will be plying his trade in the Olympic Sevens. Keenan has experience in the seven-a-side format, as he was a part of the Ireland Sevens side between 2017 and 2019.
Since making his Fifteens Test debut in 2020, Keenan has won 39 caps.
14 Damian Penaud (France)
Fabien Galthié has opted to bring a changed squad for their tour of Argentina, and Bordeaux ace Damian Penaud is one of several key men rested for the series.
Penaud made his debut for France in 2017, and has notched a staggering 36 tries in 53 matches for his country.
13 Joe Marchant (England)
Former Harlequins centre Joe Marchant was a mainstay in Steve Borthwick’s side during the World Cup, however he will miss out on England duty for a while as he plays for Stade Français in France.
Marchant made his England debut in 2019 against Wales and has since won a further 25 caps.
12 Owen Farrell (England)
Joining Marchant in midfield is England icon Owen Farrell. The former England skipper stepped away from international duty prior to the Six Nations, and he will once again be absent this summer as he is on his way to France to join Racing 92.
Farrell burst onto the Test stage in 2012, and has an impressive haul of 112 caps to his name. He has also captained his country on 48 occasions.
Scott Barrett: ‘I actually got told to stop picking on half-backs’
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
We’ve already had one French flyer on this list, so why not put another one down. Bordeaux youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey is another key player in Galthié’s squad who will be rested this summer.
The 21-year-old made his senior rugby debut in 2022, and was quickly whisked into France’s squad for the World Cup. He has since won 11 caps for his nation, grabbing six tries in the process.
10 Finn Russell (Scotland)
Scottish icon Finn Russell has been the heartbeat of Scotland’s squad for the best part of 10 years, however he won’t be involved this summer. The Bath fly-half is expecting his second child, and following a nasty groin injury picked up on club duty, he has also been rested.
Russell has won 80 caps for his country to date, and during the Six Nations was named co-captain.
9 Antoine Dupont (France)
The inspiration for this team slots in at nine. Antoine Dupont is arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the sport, but unfortunately for Galthié, he will be plying his trade in the seven-a-side game this summer as he seeks Olympic glory in Paris.
The Toulouse scrum-half made his Sevens debut at the Vancouver SVNS, and has helped France win both the USA and Madrid legs of the world series. He also helped his club side to lift an historic double, playing a key role in both the Top 14 and Champions Cup finals.
8 Hoskin Sotutu (New Zealand)
Blues powerhouse number eight Hoskin Sotutu could easily have been an All Black this summer, but was overlooked in Scott Robertson’s first squad. Sotutu was a major part of the Blues’ title-winning side, and was also named Super Rugby Player of the Year for his efforts.
He already has 14 caps for the All Blacks, but qualifies for both Fiji and England next year after a three-year absence from the New Zealand squad.
7 Jack Willis (England)
Toulouse flanker Jack Willis is tearing down trees in rouge et noir, but he won’t be involved in Borthwick’s side this summer as he is based across the Channel.
Following the collapse of Wasps, Willis headed to Toulouse and has reaped the rewards of it. He has become a mainstay in Toulouse’s back-row, and been a huge part of their double-winning side this season.
Willis made his England debut during the Autumn Nations Cup in 2020, and has 14 caps to his name so far. He also featured at the World Cup.
6 Elrigh Louw (South Africa)
Slotting into our number six shirt is Bulls back-rower Elrigh Louw. He missed out on selection for the Springboks wider 39-man-squad to face Ireland this summer, but he is included on the standby list in case of injuries.
The 24-year-old has had a great season with the Bulls, adding plenty of power to an already-loaded forward pack. He made his debut for the Boks in 2022, but only has two caps to his name at the time of writing.
5 Thibaud Flament (France)
French international Thibaud Flament is another man who will get some rest this summer after playing such a key role in Toulouse’s double.
The former Wasps player joined Toulouse in 2020 and has quickly cemented himself in the starting team. He has also helped them win three Top 14 titles and two Champions Cups.
4 Isaia Walker-Leawere (New Zealand)
Joining Flament in the engine room is fellow New Zealander Isaia Walker-Leawere. The Hurricanes lock was another player to be overlooked by Robertson ahead of the England series, which seems harsh considering the issues the All Blacks have in the second-row. He has donned the Māori All Blacks jersey, though, helping them beat Japan XV 36-10.
He is yet to win his first full All Blacks cap, but has represented the Māori All Blacks on 11 occasions.
3 Wilco Louw (South Africa)
Another one of the Louw clan who only made the standby list for the Springboks this summer. Tighthead Wilco Louw was omitted in favour of Bath prop Thomas du Toit but had a fine season for the Bulls as they reached the URC final.
He made his senior debut for the Boks in 2017, and has 14 caps to his name at the time of writing. Like Elrigh, he could find himself called into the squad in case of injuries.
2 Akker van der Merwe (South Africa)
Joining his Bulls teammate in the front-row is the ‘motorised warthog’ Akker van der Merwe. The former Sale Sharks hooker has been a core part of the Bulls squad which reached the URC final. However, he has not made the Springboks squad in any capacity this summer.
He made his Springboks debut in 2018, and has three caps to his name thus far.
1 Jeremy Loughman (Ireland)
Rounding off our team is Munster man Jeremy Loughman. The prop featured in both the Six Nations and the World Cup, but has been overlooked by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s tour to South Africa despite only taking two looseheads in the squad.
Since returning from the World Cup, Loughman has been a mainstay in the Munster team and helped them reach the semi-finals.
He made his Ireland debut in their World Cup warm-up match against England, and has won a further four caps since.
READ MORE: Top 14 giants burn cash in MEGA Dan Biggar fine following Springboks’ deal