4 Olly Barkley<\/p>\n
There was a time when Barkley looked like the natural successor in England\u2019s midfield. Calm, skilful and composed off the tee, he even played for England before making his senior debut for Bath. Comfortable at fly half or inside centre, he won 23 caps and appeared set to become a long term fixture in the national side.<\/p>\n
Yet his career never quite followed that path. A horrific leg break in 2011 disrupted his progress at a crucial stage, and subsequent moves abroad failed to provide lasting stability. By the time London Welsh folded in 2016, his international days were well behind him. He finished his playing career having shown undoubted quality, but without ever fully establishing himself at Test level.<\/p>\n
3 Maro Itoje<\/p>\n
Some youngsters are labelled future stars. Itoje became one. From captaining England Under 20s to Junior World Championship glory in 2014, he combined talent with a strong presence on and off the field. Breaking into the Saracens side brought silverware and responsibility in equal measure.<\/p>\n
His England debut in 2016 marked the beginning of a sustained run at the top. Grand Slams, Lions tours and major club honours have followed, alongside a reputation as one of the most influential forwards in the game. Passing 100 international appearances reflects his consistency and importance over the past decade.<\/p>\n
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