Two Cents Rugby: Five uncapped players who could make their Test debut in 2024

With many international players retiring, heading to Sevens or taking breaks at Test level, who are five uncapped players who could earn a Test debut in 2024?

Two Cents Rugby investigates with both a written and video feature that includes a South African, Frenchman, New Zealander, Englishman and a possible new Ireland cap.

Johan Grobbelaar (South Africa)

The Springboks only took two specialist hookers to the Rugby World Cup, with 37-year-old Deon Fourie their third option covering both hooker and loose forward.

The established combo of Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi will likely retain their starting roles for the immediate future. However, a third specialist is something the coaches will be looking at. Joseph Dweba has been given a few chances but hasn’t made a strong enough claim as yet, as seen by his lack of a call-up after Marx’s injury at the World Cup.

Still in his mid-20s, the Bulls’ Grobbelaar seems like the strongest candidate to challenge for the role. Grobbelaar has been a regular for the Bulls for several seasons. This campaign he has been joined by three-cap Springbok Akker van der Merwe, who will undoubtably challenge Grobbelaar to lift his game.

A strong ball carrier and solid defender, he has only missed one tackle in five games for the Bulls this season and is definitely on Rassie’s radar having been in the Springboks’ camp before.

Nolann le Garrec (France)

The 21-year-old has come as close as possible to getting his first cap for France, making his way to the bench for their 2023 Six Nations clash with Italy. However, sadly for Le Garrec, he wasn’t able to get off the bench. The Italians ended up pushing France close enough that Antoine Dupont played the entire match.

2024 will be a different year for France, however, with Dupont sitting out the Six Nations to focus on Sevens. That decision leaves the door open for the like of a youngster like Le Garrec to be tested at international level.

He’s been playing regularly at nine for Racing 92 and in the season thus far has set up four tries and scored two himself. The fact he can also kick goals may give Fabien Galthié a different options when looking on how to best structure his side.

Pari Pari Parkinson (New Zealand)

The Highlanders’ Parkinson is a proper bit of tall timber. With the All Blacks not being able to pick players from abroad and veteran locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick heading to France and Japan, the second-row stocks are looking thin.

The big man will be on head coach Scott Robertson’s radar. The main thing standing in his way will be his ability to keep fit as at one point he missed a full 12 months with a serious knee injury.

At 27 he still has time to make a decent run for the black jersey, especially given his massive 204cm and 140kg frame.

Having already represented the Maori All Blacks, Parkinson may be just what the doctor ordered if the All Blacks are looking to bulk up the forward pack.

Cadan Murley (England)

A proper attacking weapon who has trained with the England squad before, but still yet to win his first cap.

Able to cover both wings, Murley has a phenomenal try-scoring record for Harlequins. In the 2022/23 season alone he managed a 18 tries from 23 games.

England at times seem to prefer playing full-backs like Max Malins and Freddie Steward on the wing, but there is something to be said for having a genuine attacking option.

With Jonny May retiring and other rivals for the wing like Henry Arundell and Ollie Hassell-Collins not yet full established themselves as international wingers, Murley is definitely in with a good shout.

Any team would benefit having a winger with his pace and power plus his ability to finish.

Antoine Frisch (Ireland)

27-year-old midfielder Frisch has had an interesting journey to find himself a regular starter in Munster’s midfield. He started off playing for years in France’s Pro D2 and more recently a year in the Premiership with Bristol Bears.

Now in the United Rugby Championship with Munster under Graham Rowntree he seems to be finally getting a chance to shine and is a large part of why Munster plays much more attractive rugby than under Johann van Graan.

Frisch’s ability to attack the line, offload in the tackle and set up his teammates is the kind of X-factor which will put him on Andy Farrell’s radar and what saw him selected in the Emerging Ireland squad.

The Irish midfield is already very competitive with the likes of Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki the established three. Frisch’s tackle completion numbers around 80% will likely be the major area of focus to improve, but having him as an option is a great choice for Farrell to have available.

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