The Breakdown | Celebrating elite speed machines who can send rugby into the stratosphere

Hoist the ball in the air, though, and Warburton is right: Caluori really is different gravy. Lift him in the lineout and he’d be unplayable. Perhaps the highest-flying aerial operators in union have been the Wallaby duo of Israel Folau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii but, from a standing start, Caluori touches clouds even they struggle to scrape. As Austin Healey observed following the young winger’s Superman-esque dive into the right corner against the Sharks: ‘Who’s put a miniature trampoline in that corner of the field?”

It’s a similar story with Bielle-Biarrey who, along with that legendary cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey, is quicker than the human eye. But as well as their super-strengths he and Caluori also possess the razor-sharp attacking instincts to match. In the past coaches and selectors have prioritised the need for an all-round game, not least defensively. Just occasionally, though, the sheer terror on the faces of outclassed opponents says it all.

Ellie Kildunne of Harlequins and England may spend more time on the wing now Abby Dow has retired. Photograph: Bob Bradford/CameraSport/Getty Images

All of which puts the ball firmly in the court of England’s management. Until now Caluori has not been trusted beyond the training field in Bagshot, either deemed too callow or too great a risk. No longer is that a permissible excuse. It is approaching the point where failing to pick the most extravagantly gifted English athletic talent in a generation, regardless of age or the opposition, will be an aberration.

If you were a really canny promoter seeking to attract a new young audience to rugby, you would certainly look no further. Unless, of course, you saw Immanuel Feyi-Waboso starring for Exeter at Gloucester. The Chiefs were below par but Feyi-Waboso, still just 23, was outstanding. Give him the ball and not only does a buzz of electricity ripple around the stadium but his ridiculous yardage stats and ability to swerve past opponents in traffic set him apart.

It is a similar story in the women’s game with Ellie Kildunne; following the retirement of Abby Dow, it may well be that Kildunne now spends more time on the wing. Either way she has already captured thousands of youthful imaginations with her gliding running and refreshing desire to back herself. So much so she was even invited to be the official starter of the London marathon that the 31-year-old Sawe won so impressively on Sunday.

This would suggest her appeal is starting to transcend rugby, with Bielle-Biarrey, Caluori and Feyi-Waboso on track to do likewise. Goodwood hosts its annual ‘Festival of Speed’ for motor sport lovers in July and rugby could soon be able to stage something similar on a pitch near you. Between them Bielle-Biarrey, Caluori and Feyi-Waboso have the ability to launch rugby’s image into the stratosphere and transform it into the most compelling fast show in sport.

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