Rugby union news: England’s five youngest debutants in history

Countless players have worn the famous Rose of England on their chest in a Test match, but only a few possess the talent to have the opportunity thrust upon them at a young age.

From bright sparks that quickly faded to genuine legends of the game, early debuts are notoriously unreliable as indicators of future prospects, but that does not stop the excitement and awe that accompanies the introduction of a baby-faced genius.

In the end, each player has a unique story to tell and path to tread.

Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott takes a look at the nation's five youngest debutants in history.

Mathew Tait  

Much like the others on this list, utility back Mathew Tait was thrown into the deep end for his first start in an England shirt.

At only 18 years of age, “the future of English rugby” – as described by former player Mike Catt – was fast-tracked into the senior squad for the opening Six Nations game of 2005 against Wales. 

Unfortunately, his lack of experience showed and, despite a decent performance from the youngster, he did not do enough to stay in the squad and ended up being dropped straight away. 

That could have been it for Tait, but he kept going and ended his career as a Premiership stalwart, with 35 more Test caps to his name. 

Being able to forge a successful career after such a big setback at an early age is no mean feat and, although the utility back did not entirely live up to the hype, he can be proud of his career. 

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Jonny Wilkinson 

As a true household name, everyone knows who Jonny Wilkinson is. 

At the time of his debut, he was the youngest player to have worn the Rose since 1927. 

Famously a brilliant fly-half, Wilkinson’s first-ever cameo was – strangely enough – on the wing against Ireland in the 1998 Six Nations. 

In what was a perfect way to make a debut, he came on after 78 minutes of a comfortable win which secured the Triple Crown, sharing in all the glory after barely lifting a finger. 

Plenty of work would subsequently be done by the fly-half over the course of his illustrious career, with him kicking the winning drop goal in England’s victorious 2002 World Cup win. 

If we are being honest, he was always destined for big things. 

Colin Laird 

From one household name to another – or not. 

While Wilkinson was the youngest player since 1927, Laird was that man almost 100 years ago. 

Listed as a stand-off (fly-half), Laird was only 18 years and 124 days when he made his debut for England in an 11-9 victory over Wales at Twickenham.

Of course, we all remember where we were when the final whistle was blown in that absolute corker of a Five Nations game! 

The London-born player then broke another record with a try against Ireland just a month later. 

He was, by all accounts, a very good player, featuring regularly for Harlequins and playing all four England matches in the 1928 Grand Slam win. 

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Tom Curry 

Curry was the youngest England forward since 1912 when he made his Test debut against Argentina in 2017. 

The only active player on this list, Tom and his brother Ben recently made history when they became the first set of twins to play in the same team at the Six Nations. 

Just 18 years old at the time of his debut, it is amazing that such a young player was able to compete with the best in a sport as physical as rugby.

A Sale Sharks legend already, Curry is a local hero in Manchester and still has a lot of time left in his already impressive career. 

Alastair Hignell 

Debuting for England while still in his teens, Hignell was a truly remarkable athlete who also played first-class cricket. 

In fact, only eight days after his debut in Australia, he was playing for Gloucestershire against Middlesex!

A full-back in rugby union and a right-handed batsman in cricket, he is now better known for his charity and journalism work. 

As a commentator on BBC Radio, he also became one of the iconic voices behind the sport. 

Truly a jack of all trades, Hignell won a Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2008 for his work in spreading awareness around multiple sclerosis (MS). 

What a career and what a man.

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