Jamie George has urged England fans to enjoy a unique talent when ‘Air Caluori’ is unleashed upon Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Saracens prodigy Noah Caluori is poised to make his debut off the bench to continue a stellar debut season that has seen him crowned the Gallagher Prem’s breakthrough player for 2025-26 and its leading try scorer.
The towering 19-year-old wing with an infatuation for playing golf on his VR headset is being mentored by Owen Farrell, who is helping smooth the rough edges of a player who is devastating in the air and already has a highlights reel of acrobatic finishes.
Only Australia’s Israel Folau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii compare aerially and George insists he has been given full licence to play his natural game.
The England captain said: “Air Caluori is a special, special talent and I’m buzzing for him.
“He bought himself a VR headset with his first pay cheque and that’s all he has been doing this week – he’s probably more focused on that than the fact he is playing against Fiji!
“He can be so influential on a game because there are very few people who have his athletic ability. I’ve genuinely never seen anything like it.
“He’s able to do things that other people aren’t physically able to do and it’s a thing of beauty when he gets it right.
“The excitement should be there because we haven’t had a player like this for a very, very long time.
“We need to appreciate that he isn’t the finished article, he’s 19 years old and he’s on his first cap. But we are fully behind him to go out there and express himself.
“I just hope he enjoys it because when he enjoys his rugby, he’s at his best.”
Caluori is promoted to the matchday 23 at a time when England are burdened by a five-Test losing run that was extended by last Saturday’s 45-21 mauling by South Africa at Ellis Park.
Another setback against Fiji, who are ranked ninth in the world, would be hugely damaging to the Steve Borthwick regime, but George saw enough in Johannesburg to give hope that an end to the slump is imminent.
“I’m aware of, and can resonate with, the fans’ frustration around the performances and results we have had over this period of time,” he said.
“We are focusing internally on making sure we get better at fixing the problems we have had. But, also, we can’t just throw all our energy into the negativity.
“We need to focus also on what we are doing well and how we are doing it. That is why I encourage people to break that game down against South Africa.
“Yes, the first 15 minutes weren’t good enough. Yes, the final 10 minutes weren’t good enough. But I’d be excited about the middle bit against the best team in the world away from home at their spiritual home.
“I get it, I understand it, rugby is an 80-minute game, but I equally think there is a lot to come from the team.
“I think you are going to see a big improvement against Fiji and then an even bigger improvement against Argentina next Saturday.”
It would be pretty cool – Harry Brook hoping for double England triumph
Saturday’s sport: What’s on and where can I watch it?
Can anyone stop France? Plus our bold England vs Norway predictions
England have to win against Fiji – can teen phenom Noah Caluori provide vital lift?
Borthwick feels ‘hurt and pain’ of England fans ahead of crucial clash with Fiji
Noah Caluori and Benhard Janse van Rensburg to make England debuts against Fiji
