A look at some uncapped players who could feature at the World Cup

With the World Cup fast approaching, we look at some of the players who are yet to earn a cap from their respective countries who could play in this years World Cup.

Maro Itoje

He may only be 20 years old but a lot of English fans are calling for Stuart Lancaster to include Maro Itoje in his World Cup squad. After making his Saracens debut last season, Itoje has been hugely impressive in his first full season for Saracens and has been promoted from the bench to starting every week. He started in Saracens Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Clermont and didn’t look out of place as he put in an impressive performance. With the number 6 jersey still very much up for grabs for England, Itoje will look to continue his fine form until the end of the season and hopefully receive the call from Lancaster.

James Lowe

Lowe is an outside bet to picked for the All Blacks after an impressive season with the Chiefs. The winger has all the attributes to be a World Class winger and has troubled defences all season. Whether Steve Hansen is going to pick him for the World Cup is another question. With Naholo and Piutau announcing that they would be leaving New Zealand after the World Cup that will only increase Lowe’s chances of a call-up. If Lowe is selected for the Rugby championship it will give him an opportunity to show Steve Hansen what he is capable of but also if he fails to impress there are plenty of other players that could be picked for the World Cup instead of the Chiefs winger.

Josh Strauss

The South African born number 8 will be qualified to play for Scotland just before the beginning of the World Cup. At 28 Strauss would be quite an old debutant but after impressing for Glasgow in the last few years, Vern Cotter may look to add him to his squad. Preparation for a World Cup is a lot of work in deciding which players to pick and a lot of coaches decline the opportunity to pick many debutants in their squad but in this case it would be difficult for Vern Cotter not to include Strauss in his squad as Scotland have struggled with the number 8 jersey in the past year with Denton and Beattie continuing to struggle  with injuries.

Cheslin Kolbe

Cheslin Kolbe has been in flying form for the Stormers this season and is one of the most dangerous players in the Super 15. Kolbe has been selected in Springboks squads in the last year but is still awaiting his first cap. With Willie Le Roux South Africa’s first choice fullback going into the World Cup, Kolbe would be a worthy replacement if Le Roux would be unlucky to fall victim to injury. Kolbe may be small in size but he is hugely talented and his pace and trickery would be a headache for most sides. Kolbe will hopefully pick up a first cap if he is selected in South Africa’s squad for the Rugby Championship