10 Uncapped Players Who Should Gain International Honours in 2015

International representation is seen as the pinnacle of rugby among many players, a stage upon which many hope to feature but only a select percentage will ever make the cut.

Down the years, many stars who were perhaps deserving of caps never went on to play for their countries, either because competition was too fierce in their position or the stars just never aligned in their case.

Coming into 2015, numerous contenders are staking their claims for international honours, some considered long-term possibilities while others are knocking on their nations' doors for the first time.

1. Nathan Hughes

England selectors are scrambling to ensure Wasps star Nathan Hughes doesn't declare his international allegiance before 2016, the date upon which he'll qualify to play under the banner of the Red Rose.

It's been known for some time the No. 8 qualifies for Samoa and Fiji, his country of birth, but Hughes has given Stuart Lancaster hope after speaking highly of a potential switch in future, per the Daily Mail's Chris Foy:

"

I think Fiji want you, I think Samoa want you. But they haven’t approached me face to face. The Fiji coach did call to ask if I wanted to play in the summer but I said I couldn’t because I was getting married. My mum is Samoan-Chinese and my dad is part Samoan, part Fijian, so I am majority Samoan but I was born in Fiji and grew up there. I love both countries but it’s about taking my time to make the right decision.

I don’t want to make a decision and then regret it later. There are two options and once I qualify (for England) on residency, there will be three. I haven’t heard from England but, if they want me, I have to keep working on my game.

"

After delighting Wasps coach Dai Young in 2013-14 with his barraging exploits, however, Fiji and Samoa should be doing all within their power to tie down the former Blues prospect.

Hughes' attention may be fixed on playing for a higher power, but either of those nations would be lucky to get their hands on his talent.

At just 23 years of age and having only picked up rugby in his late teens, Hughes could be a future phenomenon.

2. Jordan Taufua

Martin Hunter/Getty Images

From one former Super Rugby experiment to one still thriving in the southern hemisphere, Jordan Taufua should be catching New Zealand's eye after rising to prominence with Crusaders.

Having only made his Super Rugby debut during the 2013 campaign, the 22-year-old has fast become a respected figure of their squad, which is no small feat given the company he keeps.

Taufua calls All Blacks legend Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Matt Todd his team-mates, and what better back-row figures to learn from in the hunt to becoming the best loose forward he can be?

With two IRB Players of the Year teaching you the ropes so early in one's career, it's no wonder Taufua already has 19 Super Rugby appearances to his name and is fast becoming a flanker of the future.

3. Gareth Anscombe

Warren Gatland undoubtedly had a rather large hand in convincing Cardiff Blues to bring Gareth Anscombe over from Super Rugby last year, and while a place in the All Blacks may be unattainable, a cap for Wales is far more realistic.

Anscombe qualifies for Gatland's team through his Cardiff-born mother, making numerous appearances for New Zealand Under-20s but now opting to try his hand at a place in the Welsh team.

With Rhys Priestland moving to Bath, a good maiden Pro12 season for Anscombe could see Dan Biggar receive added rivalry for the No. 10 jersey.

Former Chiefs utility Anscombe is a handy asset to have, capable of filling in at full-back and centre as well as fly-half, a versatile catalyst who, at his best, can be one to watch in 2015.

4. Pierre Bernard

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Philippe Saint-Andre recently introduced a raft of new names into his French squad during the autumn internationals, but one of those to go without a capped appearance was Bordeaux's Pierre Bernard.

The fly-half has been one of the reasons behind the club's rise in the past year, finishing eighth in the Top 14 last season and looking to challenge for even higher places this time around.

Only Gaetan Germain of Brive (299) scored more points than Bernard (294) in the French top flight last season, where his kicking was crucial, but so too was his injection of passing pace out of hand.

Perhaps 2015 will see the 25-year-old take that extra step and assume the No. 10 spot under Saint-Andre, who could do with assessing his options in what's a time of experimentation for Les Bleus.

5. Henry Slade

Stuart Lancaster has a mass of possibilities at fly-half emerging in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but among those yet to receive their first taste of international experience in Henry Slade.

The Exeter Chiefs talisman was called up to the England squad for their non-cap fixture against the Barbarians last year and was also in the training team for their autumn internationals.

However, Slade is as of yet to get his full honours, which could all change in 2015. George Ford, Owen Farrell, Freddie Burns and Danny Cipriani are among those offering competition for a World Cup spot, but 21-year-old Slade has massive potential.

The Chiefs maestro is the only player to have featured in every minute of the 2014-15 Aviva Premiership campaign thus far, per OptaJonny, while former England star Jeremy Guscott backed him in a recent Rugby Paper column:

"

Slade showed only in patches at outside-centre during Exeter’s 31-14 defeat at Bath why he is so highly rated, but from where I was sitting at The Rec he will be unlucky not to have a long England career.

I would have no problem dropping him into the England team at fly-half tomorrow if George Ford was injured. His skill standard is good enough for him to compete at Test level – and my only concern is that he would be told how to play rather than his natural talent being allowed to flourish.

"

Fellow starlet Ford will be a difficult rival to overcome in the search for England's new long-term No. 10, but Slade possesses a versatility the Bath man does not and is at least deserving of a shot this year.

6. Jaco Kriel

Jaco Kriel is another who came within inches of gaining his first cap in 2014 but failed to make the official mark despite being called into Heyneke Meyer's autumn Test squad.

The 25-year-old dazzled as one of the Lions' brightest assets last year, and as if the Springboks didn't already have enough promise in their back row, Kriel comes in as another alternative scrapper wiling to do the dirty work.

After the Super Rugby campaign finished, his year didn't stop there, though. The flanker played a massive role in guiding the Golden Lions to the 2014 Currie Cup final, finishing as the tournament's top try scorer (nine) despite seeing his side fall to Western Province 19-16 at the last hurdle.

The attached video shows what a threat Kriel can be with ball in hand, but an unstoppable work ethic helps him make his way around the park, mixed with great energy conservation and knowing where to expend it.

7. Sam Burgess

Given that he's only a month or so into his union tenure, Sam Burgess is still an uncertainty for England's World Cup, and one could understandably say he doesn't deserve international honours yet.

Not based what we've see as of yet, anyway. But that isn't to say a player boasting his athleticism won't make massive strides in 2015—or at least that's what many are hoping for, Lancaster perhaps one of them.

The Bath utility was recently quoted as telling BT Sport (h/t the Guardian) the transition is taking its time, with the sport even more difficult to understand than he envisioned:

"

Without wishing to sound disrespectful to anyone, the game’s a lot harder than I thought. It’s harder than it looks. [Tackling] is definitely something I have to change. It’s very hard to change a habit you’ve had for 12 to 15 years. You get taught to tackle completely differently to how you get taught here.

I am trying to change that. I think I made a few erratic tackles last week; sitting on the bench for 60 minutes, I had too much energy. It’s probably a bit of excitement more than anything, in time I will settle in and do the technical tackle.

"

Burgess has the desire to be an international, and it would be folly to say he doesn't hold the physical potential, but it's the technical holding him back at present.

Speculation suggests the former South Sydney Rabbitohs star will be fast-tracked into the England Saxons setup, with potential full honours after that.

In short terms, Lancaster needs the bruiser to grasp his responsibilities at centre. England are well looked after in the back row with Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood now the first-choice selection, but options in midfield are less assured.

8. Alex Waller

The man who won Northampton Saints their 2013-14 Aviva Premiership title thanks to a last-gasp shove over the line at Twickenham has all the potential to become a Test competitor.

For several seasons now, the Kettering native has ushered his way through Jim Mallinder's ranks and could further add to Lancaster's options in the front row.

At loosehead, he would receive considerable competition in the shapes of Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, Alex Corbisiero and current outside bet Mako Vunipola, but still just 24, Waller has time to etch out a future.

The potential England international already gained experience with the Saxons in 2014 and will now have higher credentials in sight after starring as a key component for one of the Premiership's dominating outfits.

9. Tim Nanai-Williams

As the cousin of Sonny Bill, Tim Nanai-Williams is blessed to be in the same gene pool as one of New Zealand's most beloved sport icons.

If the 25-year-old has the patience, he may well carve out his own future as an All Black, but sitting on the cusp of that achievement may not be good enough for the Chiefs utility if he doesn't see progress soon.

As such, Nanai-Williams appears to have made the decision to represent Samoa instead. Per Stuff.co.nz, the winger-cum-centre has chosen to make use of the Rio 2016 loophole and will play for Samoa's sevens team in 2014 before contending for a place in their World Cup squad.

Of his conflict, between opting for Samoa or continuing his bid for New Zealand glory, Nanai-Williams is quoted as saying:

"

About two months ago I had a real good think about it and decided I had to make sure it was the right decision. I really had to talk to a lot of people to be honest. It was a hard decision, but it's a decision I'm happy with. I'm a proud Samoan, it's where my parents are from and it will be an honour to represent not only them but the people of Samoa.

"

It's a decision many have come up against in the past, the quandary of wanting to play for the best team in the world and risk watching one's career pass by without receiving the call.

Nanai-Williams has given Samoa his candidacy and blessed with not only versatility but a genuine threat in multiple positions, he's sure to get more than a few caps under his belt this year.

10. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

Having already gained experience with Scotland under-20s and Scotland's sevens team in recent years, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is making all the right moves to climbing up his international ladder.

And after featuring more prominently for Edinburgh this season, Alan Solomons' assistant Stevie Scott is quoted by Jamie Borthwick of STV as saying Vern Cotter may well take notice:

"

[Cotter will] pick a wider squad for training and I would hope to see more Edinburgh players in that squad. There are some good young players coming through at Edinburgh with boys being given opportunities through injuries.

When we look at nine – Sam has been playing well. Ben Toolis has been playing well. He’s come in and is calling line-outs and took control of a good line-out at the weekend. They have certainly staked a good claim to be in that squad.

"

Not just a scrum-half, the video above shows Hidalgo-Clyne offering good tackle coverage on Newport Gwent Dragons youngster Hallam Amos, recovering well from an initial loss in footing.

At just 21, the Granada-born halfback could yet go on to enjoy a long international career and would do well to revive the tutelage once given to him by former club team-mate Greig Laidlaw.