Rugby League’s Unsung Heroes: A Closer Look at England’s One-Cap Wonders
The England rugby league team is set to welcome a new crop of debutants this weekend as they take on France in Toulouse. These fresh faces will join an esteemed group of players who have earned a solitary cap for their country, many of whom may surprise fans with their limited international appearances despite their illustrious club careers.
Delving into the archives, here is a rundown of 13 standout England players who boast just a single international appearance to their name, yet have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Standout One-Cap Wonders
- Jamie Shaul: The Hull FC star earned his sole England cap in a 2018 Test match against France, capping a stellar Super League career.
- Tom Davies: The Catalans winger earned his first England call-up in 2021, marking his one international appearance with a try in the stand-alone Test versus France.
- Neil Fox: One of the game’s all-time greats, Fox’s lone England outing came in 1962, with the majority of his 29 international appearances coming for Great Britain.
- Alan Hunte: Featuring 15 times for Great Britain, Hunte’s sole England cap came in a 1992 victory over Wales in Swansea.
- Henderson Gill: The former Bradford Northern and Wigan winger earned 15 Great Britain caps, with his solitary England appearance coming in a 1981 win against Wales.
- Mike Ford: Alongside Hunte, the current Oldham boss earned his only England cap in that 1992 triumph over Wales.
- Danny Brough: Despite later representing Scotland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, Brough’s one England appearance came against the Exiles in 2012.
- Lee Crooks: Another Great Britain stalwart, Crooks’ lone England outing was in that same 1992 victory over Wales.
- Shaun Lunt: The Hull KR hooker earned a call-up to the 2010 England Four Nations squad, with his sole cap coming in their defeat to Australia.
- Barrie McDermott: The Leeds Rhinos legend earned 15 Great Britain caps and 13 for Ireland, with his single England appearance coming in a 1996 European Championship win over Wales.
- Doug Laughton: The Widnes great’s one England cap came late in his career, in a 1977 European Championship loss to Wales.
- Derek Turner: The Hull KR, Oldham and Wakefield icon earned 24 Great Britain caps, with his sole England outing occurring in 1962 against France.
- Don Fox: Completing the list is Don Fox, brother of the great Neil Fox, who earned just two Great Britain caps, with his lone England appearance coming in a 1956 defeat to France.
As England prepare to add new names to their rugby league roll of honour, this collection of one-cap wonders serves as a reminder of the depth of talent that has graced the international stage, even if their time in an England shirt was all too brief.
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