Ex-England star explains why ‘world class’ teenage whiz may have to wait a year before international debut

There’s bursting onto the scene, and then there’s what Noah Caluori has done.

On his starting debut for Saracens, the 19-year-old winger scored five tries in a 65-14 mauling of Sale Sharks.

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Caluori started as he meant to carry on and finished the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season with 18 tries, the most of any player in the competition.

Unsurprisingly, the teenage whiz was named the PREM Breakthrough Player of the Season.

And although Saracens missed out on finals this season, Caluori’s meteoric rise hasn’t slowed down, having been named in Steve Borthwick’s 33-man training squad ahead of an England XV v France XV contest on June 19.

A strong performance against the French would only raise the excitement levels surrounding Caluori and create further noise pushing for his involvement in England’s upcoming Nations Championship fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

Watson: Caluori can be ‘world class’, but don’t throw him to the wolves

However, former England back Anthony Watson knows all too well the risks that come with throwing Caluori into the deep end before the teen is truly ready.

After all, Watson himself endured a similar experience in the infancy of his glittering international career.

“I think he’s got the raw potential to be a world class winger,” Watson told talkSPORT.com.

“I think the international game poses a lot of different challenges on the wing than the club level does. If you have a weakness in any area, it gets exposed early.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily fair unless you’re absolutely sure he’s ready to be thrown in there.

“People will talk and say, ‘Oh, he’ll learn and do this on the job.’ That’s fine, but if you lose a game, people will start pointing fingers at certain individuals. It’s not the right way to do things, in my opinion.

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“I look back to when I first got in the England camp. I felt I was ready to play, but Stuart Lancaster kept me on the back-burner for about a year. When I finally did play, I felt so much better and more rounded and understanding of the international game.”

Should Caluori earn a spot in Borthwick’s England squad for the Nations Championship games, a daunting debut against the Springboks may await.

England chasing 54-year first

And if a match against the reigning world champions wasn’t difficult enough, the contest will be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a ground that sits 1,753 metres above sea level.

It is a venue that historically has not been a happy hunting ground for England.

From the four matches England have played at Ellis Park against the Springboks, they have won just once, and that was back in 1972.

For Watson, his experience with the iconic altitude is one he won’t forget in a hurry.

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“I’ll be honest, the altitude absolutely cooked me,” Watson said.

“I think I had to do a 70-metre sprint back trying to chase someone back and I never recovered. That was about 15 minutes in.”

But even if Caluori travels with the England squad and doesn’t see any minutes in Johannesburg, his Saracens teammate Elliot Daly believes the experience of being amongst the group and absorbing what it takes to perform on the international stage will be pivotal in his development.

“I think the best thing for him is to be around that,” Daly said.

“So being in camp, I think those are the best times for him to go in because the level of training now with England is basically at an international level game.

“If he can show what he can do in there and the way Phil Morrow (Head of Team Performance) is conditioning us, you’ll be in the perfect spot if you’re called on to be in the right frame of mind to get there and play your best rugby. 

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“Not just survive, you want to go over there and thrive.”

Caluori’s steep learning curve at Sarries

Daly was also quick to stress that Caluori’s breakout season coincided with just his first year out of school, underlining his rawness in a professional environment and all that it entails.

Given Daly has won 76 caps for England and featured in five Tests for the British and Irish Lions, he has plenty of wisdom to impart on the 19-year-old Caluori.

So, what has the teenage sensation had to learn the hard way?

“Just training with the first team on a regular basis, I think he’s got his head around that these training sessions are actually massive,” Daly said.

“I think he’s taken that on board from the start of the season and he’s attacking every training session.”

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Even if the Springboks Test comes too soon, Caluori, if selected in the England squad, could feature against Fiji or Argentina on July 11 and 18 respectively.

Should Caluori be handed his debut, Daly believes fans can expect an aerial bombardment in the teenager’s direction to capitalise on his 194cm frame.

“You can see what he’s unbelievable at,” Daly said.

“His aerial ability is second to none. 

“If you kick the ball near him, you’ll probably get it back. Which, the way the rules are now, is a massive blessing to have on your team.”

With two of England’s three upcoming Nations Championship fixtures taking place internationally, fans will be flocking to their nearby pubs to catch the action and cheer on Borthwick’s side.

Buffalo Trace

Given the matches also take place smack bang in the middle of a British summer, the pints are expected to flow.

But sometimes the pressure of downing pint after pint, especially with the sun bearing down, can get a bit much.

It’s why some fans, including Watson, will be tempted to break up the beers with an alternative option, such as a Buffalo Trace and ginger.

“For me, it gives a big break from having the heavy drinks a lot of people enjoy,” Watson said.

“I’m not one who can go down and drink 10 pints, or even five pints.

“It’s a good alternative if you don’t want to go home feeling 140kg.”