Raffy Quirke recently revealed that every autumn his phone's flashback feature shows images from 2021, when he rushed to take part in England's final attempt at Dramatic win On world champion South Africa at Twickenham.
Relentlessly physical, acerbic with his distribution, and with a keen eye for spotting the marginal gap, he seemed to be the next man up at the time. Instead, it has largely disappeared since then.
A series of havoc injuries – most recently wrist surgery – and the emergence of Scotland's Joss Warr have kept him in the shadows at Sale for much of the past three years.
the 28-10 win over Exeter This was only the second time the Premier League had started in 2024.
He completed 50 minutes fit and healthy, despite an early thrashing from Ethan Roots, and helped set up Luke James' opening try with a blind dummy, throwing darts and giving away Ben Curry.
England coach Steve Borthwick is a big admirer of Quirke, and has named him among a group of players who could have been considered for final internationals in the autumn had it not been for injury. Given that Quirk's last appearance for England was the win over South Africa three years ago, it was a show of faith.
Alex Mitchell has only just returned from injury and neither Ben Spencer nor Jack van Poortvliet have played for England in the Northampton man's absence.
Quirk, who is still only 23, could get back into the conversation if he stays away from the treatment table.