5 Players Not in Six Nations Squads Who Could Still Go to World Cup

The 2015 Rugby World Cup is now less than six months away, and most international coaches will have in mind which players they plan on taking to England later this year.

The Six Nations proved to be of huge benefit to some European stars in solidifying their squad futures, but some of those who missed out on their place in the tournament may yet feature at the World Cup.

A testing few months lie ahead for the omitted players who are looking to either reignite or establish their international presences, but some have a realistic chance.

For the most part, players injured in the buildup to the Six Nations have been left out of the running, even if they looked nailed on for a place in the competition beforehand.

Read on for a selection of players who weren't in action for their countries over the past two months but have the potential to stake their claim before the World Cup makes its arrival.

1. Maxime Medard

A select bunch of France internationals have fallen victim to Philippe Saint-Andre's never-ending rotation policy more than others, and Maxime Medard is arguably the manager's most tormented victim.

Since Saint-Andre's takeover at the helm in 2012, the Toulouse speedster has found himself frequently yo-yoing in and out of international prominence. Having missed the 2015 Six Nations, he's scheduled for a resurgence.

Yoann Huget finished as Toulouse's top-try scorer in the European Rugby Champions Cup this season, but Medard was only just behind with two of his own and remains a viable threat among the Top 14 hierarchy.

Depending on the immediate futures of Teddy Thomas and Noa Nakaitaci, Medard may well be able to convince Les Bleus he's deserving of a recall.

2. Joe Launchbury

Despite the fact it was only a neck injury back in October that kept the second-row starlet from Six Nations contention, Joe Launchbury is in a race against time to realise his 2015 Rugby World Cup dream.

At the time of his injury blow last year, the 23-year-old was enjoying a steady rise through England's ranks, showing the kind of leadership at Wasps that was likely to make him part of a first-choice lock partnership alongside Courtney Lawes.

However, the absence of both those players has shown Stuart Lancaster just what depth he boasts at second row. Dave Attwood, Geoff Parling and Graham Kitchener are particularly unfortunate to be only contenders at this stage.

A scheduled return to action in April gives Launchbury barely any time to announce his return to the national team, but he spoke hopefully to ESPN Scrum's Tom Hamilton this week regarding his shot at a comeback:

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It's been the most frustrating injury I've had. You're effectively waiting for the nerve to switch itself back on again. I've lost quite a bit of strength in my arm but I've been working hard in the gym, I've been trying to tease it along but nerves do their own thing.

I've been fortunate to have some good physios around me who have taken care of me. They've given me some good guidance and it's in the crunch time of the injury now, I'm getting back to training and I've been running for a few weeks and I'm starting to feel really good.

The Rugby World Cup has kept me going. I should have a chance to work my way into the training squad and there I'll have a chance to put a marker down in the camp. Hopefully my neck will be perfect so I'll be able to train hard and force my way in.

"

Launchbury adds that his neck concern is something that's dragged on for the past couple of years, but only in October did resolving the problem with surgery become his best option.

With that being the case and considering his staggering rise all the same, there's a chance we may even see a new-and-improved Launchbury, playing without burden for the first time in several seasons.

3. Andrew Trimble

Andrew Trimble is another player whose place in the Six Nations looked to be assured before injury saw his plans take a turn for the worse. As a result, he also has a difficult time ahead in reclaiming his spot in the Ireland squad.

On the back of their Six Nations triumph, there may not be many areas in his side that Joe Schmidt sees as a damning weakness. However, without any of his wingers managing to score a single try during the tournament, those out wide may be among the most scrutinised.

Granted, the burgeoning centre partnership of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne is partly to blame for that limited stretching of width, but it's something Trimble could look to capitalise upon.

It's also a sign of just how much Ulster and the IRFU believe in the 30-year-old that Trimble signed a new two-year commitment earlier in March, per Sky Sports, despite a toe injury ending his season in February.

After being elected 2014 IRUPA Players' Player of the Year and rediscovering his finest form earlier this season, Trimble will need to hit the ground running upon making his return, but he has all the ability needed to reinvigorate Ireland's options.

4. Josh Navidi

Not every position under Warren Gatland's command is replete with world-class options, but it was a signal of Wales' back-row strength that Josh Navidi was omitted from the Six Nations squad.

The Cardiff Blues bruiser made his international debut in 2013 and has enjoyed an upward trajectory since then, growing to become an integral member of his club squad and now seeking bigger prospects.

Last month, Rugby World's Russ Petty investigated which European No. 8s were showing the best form this season, ranking Navidi as the top tackler, not to mention he concedes fewer turnovers and penalties than most of his peers.

The versatile back-rower can offer cover at flanker, and while many would argue his chances of superseding Taulupe Faletau or Sam Warburton are slim-to-none, his option from the bench could be extremely helpful.

Depending on how the rest of the Blues' season pans out, Navidi may be capable of piggy-backing on their success and establishing himself as an international candidate once again.

5. Steffon Armitage

One of the most talked-about subjects in the England camp building up to the Six Nations was the involvement—or lack thereof—of foreign-based players, namely Steffon Armitage.

Despite winning the 2014 European Player of the Year award and continuing his stellar form at Toulon, the 29-year-old missed out on a place in Lancaster's squad, having last featured for England in 2010.

There is a chance that five-year exodus could come to its end, but Armitage's hopes are assuredly hampered by the potential jail sentence he faces for a drunken bust-up in December, per ESPN Scrum.

Armitage has four tries in Europe this season and offers Lancaster alternatives at No. 8 and at flanker, but RFU rules state overseas-based players may only be called up in exceptional circumstances.

Without a doubt, Armitage is exceptional, but the combination of his geographical predicament and legal concerns make his call-up far from a done deal.