England: Six players who could make their Test debuts in 2026 including ‘inevitable’ call-up and ‘all-round package’
Noah Caluori (left) and Benhard Janse van Rensburg (middle) could be set to make their Test debuts for England in 2026
With 2026 right around the corner, Planet Rugby has selected six players who could make their Test debuts for England next year.
Steve Borthwick’s side come into the new year in fantastic touch, following a run of 11 straight victories and just one loss across the whole of 2025, but will be hoping to turn form into silverware in the shape of the Six Nations and Nations Championship.
2025 also showed Borthwick is willing to blood in some fresh faces, rewarding PREM form in the process. Across the year, England handed out debuts to the likes of Henry Pollock, Guy Pepper, Luke Northmore and Max Ojomoh, among others, and could very easily do the same again in 2026 with one eye on building depth for the 2027 World Cup.
But who are the leading contenders to win their maiden Test caps come 2026? Well, here’s our take on just that.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg
After the RFU pushed for him to become eligible for selection, Benhard Janse van Rensburg is primed for an England debut in 2026. The classy centre hit the ground running in the PREM following his switch to London Irish in 2021, but after his move to Bristol Bears in 2022 he’s quickly become one of the best centres in the league.
The South African-native, who was initially tied to the Springboks due to an appearance for the U20s in his youth, seems to be the all-round package in midfield, and would certainly suit the new attack under Lee Blackett. His deft playmaking skills make him a pivotal link-player within the Bristol attack, but yet he also brings that strike option and punch in the contact that Borthwick is after from his midfielders.
He does operate in a slightly different role to a lot of other centres, in that he often floats between 12 and 13 or even between 13 and wing, but that freedom brings the best out of him, and could be a nifty trick for England as well.
Noah Caluori
It almost feels inevitable that Noah Caluori will make his Test debut for England at some point in 2026, after a breathtaking start to life as a senior professional. The Saracens man has simply taken the PREM by storm in his maiden professional campaign with the London club, announcing himself with arguably one of the greatest solo performances of the modern era against Sale Sharks.
Caluori’s work in the air has quickly become a key part of Saracens’ attack this season, and that is a skill that will effortlessly transfer over to this England system too, given the direction of their attack this autumn. Around that, too, he has serious pace to burn and his eye for a gap makes him a serious threat on the counter-attack as well. Crucially, though, he is oozing confidence right across his game, and that is a really valuable asset in a young player and one that could help him make that step up.
Around that, he is also already a member of the senior squad, cracking the initial three-day training camp ahead of last month’s Autumn Nations Series before later leapfrogging Adam Radwan into the main squad. He also impressed on England A duty last month, too, and that is something that would have pleased Borthwick no end.
Hugh Tizard
2026 could finally be the year Hugh Tizard breaks into the England senior squad, after a number of England A appearances in recent years.
While England do have some very good options at lock already, with skipper Maro Itoje the first name on the teamsheet and the likes of Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles and Charlie Ewels in the mix as well as a number of injury absentees, Tizard’s selection in the A squad shows he is very much in contention for a senior bow in 2026, and would offer something different to the rest of the locks.
Tizzard’s rangy running makes him a real threat ball-in-hand, but he backs that up with top-notch game reading to identify when and where space will open up. One of his biggest strengths is that he is also a really strong support line runner, and often finds himself on the end of an offload to keep play alive. That skill in particular could add a nice dynamic to England’s play, particularly in the latter stages of Tests when things open up.
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He faces strong competition for a spot, but could certainly make the step up.
Greg Fisilau
The Exeter Chiefs man has flirted with the senior squad over the past two seasons, but 2026 could see him get that long-awaited senior cap. Fisilau might not be the biggest player in the PREM, but he is arguably one of the most physical back-rowers in the competition and would certainly fit the system Borthwick wants to play.
With Tom Willis now out of the picture, Fisilau would offer that same sort of ball-carrying threat. He currently sits third in the PREM for gainline carries (35) and fifth for overall carries (69), stats which have been mirrored across the past two seasons as well. England are also mixing up their selections at number eight, with Ben Earl and Chandler Cunningham-South both getting game-time there in the autumn, so there is potential for a new face to enter the mix.
Fisilau is another with England A appearances to his name, notably shining in their win against Ireland last year too, and that again shows he is in contention for a senior call-up.
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Fitz Harding
While the England flanker options are arguably among the best in the world, Fitz Harding is consistently impressing for Bristol and could very easily make the jump to Test level.
The Bears captain has enjoyed a stellar few years at Ashton Gate, quickly establishing himself as one of the best back-rowers in the PREM as a result. He has all the hallmarks of a true Test back-rower, impressing both in defence and attack.
Crucially, too, he can be deployed right across the back-row, which makes him an ideal option to come into the squad. England’s back-row is changing, with Borthwick’s selections very dependent on the opposition, but his ability to cover all three positions – and cover them well – could see him drafted in.
Like many on this list, he has been involved with England A in the past, so is knocking on the door of selection.
Afolabi Fasogbon
With Will Stuart out of the picture, it seems Afolabi Fasogbon could be handed his Test debut after previous involvement with the wider squad.
The Gloucester tighthead is still very much developing at senior level – as many young front-rowers are – but he’s already among the leading props in the league and will only get better with Test involvement.
His scrummaging – which continues to get better – will be the key thing that gets him into the squad, but he also brings a nice attacking dynamic to the party; and that desire to get his hands on the ball fits in with the way front-rowers have to play at Test level now.
Fasogbon has also toured with the senior squad and featured for England A, so it does feel like a matter of time to get that first cap.
