Six Nations Unselected XV As We Highlight The Biggest Names Not Involved This Year

We’re picking our Six Nations unselected XV to show you some of the biggest names not involved in this year’s competition.

With some massive stars not involved in the Guinness Six Nations this year, you could make a formidable side just from those not playing.

Whether through injury, ineligibility due to playing overseas, or just the coaches picking other options, these 15 won’t be appearing in the Six Nations in 2025.

Six Nations Unselected XV

Backs

15 George Furbank (England):

England fullback Furbank missed out on selection after suffering a broken arm in December. The Northampton man has been a mainstay in Steve Borthwick’s side over the past year, and he may make a surprise return before the end of the tournament.

14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England):

Another injured England star, Feyi-Waboso dislocated his shoulder and is expected to be out for the Six Nations. However, having opted not to have surgery, he too could be back for the final weeks if all goes to plan.

13 Gael Fickou (France):

A massive loss for France, veteran centre Gael Fickou fractured his thumb at the start of the year. He would be one of the first names on the team sheet for Les Bleus.

12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland):

A sickening injury has ruled out the newly-appointed Scotland captain, after he tore his pectoral muscle in training with Glasgow just weeks before the Six Nations got underway.

It’s hoped he will be fit in time for the Lions tour this summer, but with such a severe injury it will be touch-and-go.

11 Matthis Lebel (France):

His recent form for Toulouse had many expecting him to make the French squad. But with starting winger Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both now back fit, Lebel is unfortunate to miss out.

10 Owen Farrell (England):

England’s policy of not selecting anyone playing club rugby outside the country means plenty of huge stars are ineligible for selection.

None of these is a bigger name than Owen Farrell. The former England skipper is currently at Racing 92 in France, having left Saracens last summer.

9 Baptiste Serin (France):

Probably the most talented player to miss out on selection choice alone. Serin would walk into most national starting XV’s, but is in the unfortunate position of being fourth choice during a golden generation of French scrum-halves.

Antoine Dupont, Maxime Lucu and Nolann Le Garrec are all world class, meaning Serin doesn’t get a look in despite his immense talent.

Forwards

8 Gavin Coombes (Ireland):

Munster’s Gavin Coombes can feel somewhat hard done by to not make the Irish squad at all. He is behind Caelan Doris and Jack Conan, but would have hoped to make the wider squad if not the match day 23.

7 Jack Willis (England):

The Toulouse man has gone from good, to great, to world class since moving to the south of France. Forced to leave Wasps after they went bust, he has carved out a name for himself in France and is widely regarded as one of the best back rows in Europe.

Like others on this list, his omission has led to calls from some for England to scrap their ban on picking overseas-based players.

6 Tom Ahern (Ireland):

Able to play in the back row or slot into the second row, Ahern is bound to earn plenty of Irish caps eventually.

Another Munster man not picked, he must be one of the first names in the conversation should Ireland pick up any injuries.

5 Dave Ribbans (England):

Another English exile plying his trade in France. Ribbans earned 11 caps for England before moving to Toulon from Northampton.

The 29-year-old would surely be in the squad if he was still playing club rugby on home soil.

4 Richie Gray (Scotland):

Now 35, the sun may have set on Richie Gray’s international career. The veteran lock moved to Japan from Glasgow last summer, and doesn’t look likely to add to his 79 caps now younger men are coming through.

Still, as he’s not officially retired from international duty, he makes our Six Nations unselected XV.

3 Dan Cole (England):

Another old war horse who may have played his last test match, Dan Cole was left out by Steve Borthwick for this Six Nations.

England’s most capped forward, the 37-year-old could well be called up once more if England lose any tightheads to injury.

2 Johnny Matthews (Scotland):

Many in Scotland believe he should be in the squad, and it’s hard to ignore his try-scoring record. The Liverpool-born Glasgow hooker is another surprise omission.

1 Beno Obano (England):

Bath loosehead Beno Obano has been in superb form for his club. Now 30, he has dropped below youngsters Fin Baxter and Asher Opoku-Fordjour in the pecking order.

It therefore seems unlikely he’ll win any further caps unless England suffer a number of injuries.