Noah Caluori scored five tries on his first start, with Warburton saying: “I haven’t seen a player ever this good in the air, ever.”
Saracens’ Noah Caluori (front) celebrates with Rhys Carre after scoring (Image: PA Wire)
Wales legend Sam Warburton was left stunned by the performance of 19-year-old Noah Caluori after the teenager scored five tries for Saracens on his first Gallagher PREM start. TNT Sports commentator Warburton called for his immediate inclusion in the England squad, admitting he has “never seen anyone like him before”.
The remarkable feat saw the youngster dominate the aerial battle, even earning his side a penalty try after being impeded while trying to retrieve a cross-field kick with a stupendous leap that left everyone gasping. It was one of many sensational takes from the 6ft 4in England U20s winger.
Warburton believes a special talent has emerged, and wasn’t shy about saying so during the live TV coverage of the game.
“I haven’t seen a player ever this good in the air, ever, and he’s a teenager,” he said.
“I cannot believe the height he can get off the ground and the dexterity that he has with his arms above his head to catch it. He’s becoming almost undefendable. Just winning penalties, he’s won two penalties alone just because he’s fearing him. I just think you need an X-factor when you’re playing in the back three and he’s got it in abundance. I’ve never seen anyone like him.
“I don’t know what you can do as a defender when you can get that high. Get him in the England squad. He’s got it. This kid is going to be amazing. I’m not saying you’d start him, but get him in the environment. Have a look and see if he’s got that next step, which is only going to be upstairs.
“He’s got the physical ability, see if he has the mental resolve for international level. Put him in the training squad with the guys and have a look at him over the autumn, release him back if you want, but just get him in that environment. I’m telling you now, he’s going to be a special player.”
Noah Caluori of Saracens dives to score his side’s first try (Image: 2025 Gaspafotos/MB Media)
Warburton added: “I think England rugby have unearthed an absolute diamond. I know some people might think it’s a bit brash when I said at half time that you’ve got to get him in the England squad, but in other countries, they’re not afraid when they get a real talent. I haven’t said that before when you see teenagers come through like this, but this guy has got something I have hardly seen in many 19-year-olds. Maybe George North, Israel Folau, Joseph Sua’ali’i type figure, but this guy’s got it. You don’t see it very often, but he’s absolutely got it.”
Saracens boss Mark McCall has cautioned against overburdening the teenage sensation with expectation.
Caluori, who was making his first start in the Gallagher Prem after two replacement appearances, provided a devastating focal point for Saracens’ kicking game, while his finishing was also first class.
As well as Warburton’s praise, retired Red Rose try machine Chris Ashton said he was “lost for words” following his performance.
However, McCall is keen to reduce the spotlight on the England Under-20 international.
“Noah’s aerial ability is unique, but everyone has got to take a breath,” McCall said.
“He’s quite a special player and a great kid as well. He’s a very balanced and sensible young fella who is obviously going to get a lot of attention.
“He’s capable of dealing with that, but he’s not the perfect player yet – far from it.
“He knows he has a lot of things to improve on. His ceiling’s absolutely huge, but let’s enjoy him and let him grow in the right way.
“There’s a responsibility and duty of care to a very young man, on us as a club and the media as well, to protect him and look after him in the right way.”
Sale boss Alex Sanderson was impressed by Caluori’s north London demolition job but insisted the 6’4”, 15st 8lbs giant was given too much time and space to weave his magic.
“I don’t think it could have gone any better for him. Five tries? Jesus! He beat us alone in that sense, if you look at the scoreline,” Sanderson said.
“You’ve got to be physical in the air. You’ve got to be able to bump and knock and be willing to take an aerial collision because once a young lad like that gets his confidence up there’s no stopping him.
“He was allowed too much time and space in the air, like he was in the wide channels.
“Fair play to him, he was brilliant and he was dangerous with the ball in the wide channels as he was with the ball aerially. You’ve got to rattle him. He’s a rare talent.”
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