Noah Caluori has set his sights on earning his first England cap within the next six months, aspiring to become the greatest winger in the history of English rugby.
This dynamic 19-year-old, who plays for Saracens, made a significant impact by scoring five tries during his debut in the Premiership back in October. His remarkable aerial skills caught the attention of the selectors, leading to his inclusion in Steve Borthwick's England squad just eight days later.
With the announcement of the Six Nations squad approaching this Friday, Caluori is hopeful about making his senior international debut either during this tournament or in the upcoming summer Tests against formidable opponents like South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina. "I want to participate in this year's summer tour with England and ideally earn my first cap, whether it's during the Six Nations or in the summer Tests," he shared when discussing his aspirations for the current season.
Looking ahead, Caluori dreams of not only becoming recognized as England's premier winger but also of representing the British and Irish Lions. He envisions himself competing at the highest levels of rugby, achieving success alongside Saracens and the England national team, and ultimately being remembered as a rugby great. "That's my long-term objective. In the short term, since finishing school, my goal has always been to play in the 2027 World Cup," he added.
However, Caluori faces stiff competition from other talented players. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, and Tom Roebuck are currently ahead of him in Borthwick's selection hierarchy. Besides them, Saracens teammate Elliot Daly, Bath's Henry Arundell, and Harlequins' Cadan Murley are also vying for a spot on the wing.
Despite these challenges, Caluori draws motivation from Henry Pollock, who was initially named in last year's Six Nations squad, subsequently returned to the under-20s, and then made an impressive comeback to the senior squad, scoring two tries off the bench during the final match against Wales. Reflecting on Pollock's journey, Caluori mentioned, "We’ve had a few conversations at camp, though nothing too detailed. He deserves credit for his incredible path, and I certainly aspire to follow in his footsteps in various aspects of his career."
In addition to Pollock’s inspiring example, Caluori has taken to heart a piece of advice from former England captain Owen Farrell. After returning to Saracens this season following a year at Racing 92, Farrell praised Caluori's skill, noting that his ability to recover attacking kicks is exceptional. However, during a particularly chilly training session earlier this season, Farrell confronted Caluori about his lackluster effort during a tackling drill.
"It was an extremely cold day," recalled Caluori. "I wasn’t exactly sulking, but I felt a bit under the weather. It was one of those days where I knew I could have pushed myself harder. So, there is some truth to that. I thought to myself, 'My shoulder kind of hurts.' Then Faz asked me, 'Is there something wrong with you?' I replied, 'I’m fine.' Again, he pressed, 'Is there anything wrong with you?' I assured him I was okay, and he followed up with, 'Then train like it.'
Caluori didn't take this feedback negatively at all; rather, he appreciated it. Later in the session, Farrell reiterated, "You shouldn't need someone else to spark your motivation, especially on a cold day or when you're not in the lineup."
Impressively, Caluori has already made a name for himself this season with 12 tries across 14 matches. Yet, he understands the importance of honing his defensive skills to be ready for international competitions. "In the Premiership, you might get away with a few mistakes, but at the Test level, the margins are razor-thin. One mistake could determine the outcome of a game for your country," he noted.
