Ones to watch 2025/26

[Scrumhead]

I haven’t done this for a couple of seasons, but with the Lions players having a good rest period, I can see some good opportunities for young players to get a good amount of game time Jibulu, Sela, Benson, McParland and Sodeke could be good examples of this.

This isn’t so much a breakthrough squad - some of these players are already well known, but I think this could be a big season for this selection:

1. Brantingham (Saracens)
2. Jibulu (Sale)
3. Sela (Bath)
4. L. Chessum (Tigers)
5. Sodeke (Saracens) / Bamber (Sale)
6. Carnduff (Tigers)
7. ?
8. James (Exeter)
9. C. Bracken (Saracens) / McParland (Saints)
10. Benson (Harlequins) / Donoghue (Bath)
11. Arundell (Bath)
12. Ma’asi-White (Sale) / Waghorn (Harlequins)
13. Joseph (Gloucester)
14. Cleaves (Harlequins)
15. Redshaw (Gloucester)

I’m most excited to see what Parling can do with Chessum Jnr. and Carnduff and I think an Atkinson/Josepg centre partnership at Gloucester could be very handy indeed.

I couldn’t think of any 7s or 8s I’m particularly excited about which is just as well given the logjam of genuine talent. A nice problem to have.

[Banquo]

I haven’t done this for a couple of seasons, but with the Lions players having a good rest period, I can see some good opportunities for young players to get a good amount of game time Jibulu, Sela, Benson, McParland and Sodeke could be good examples of this.

This isn’t so much a breakthrough squad - some of these players are already well known, but I think this could be a big season for this selection:

1. Brantingham (Saracens)
2. Jibulu (Sale)
3. Sela (Bath)
4. L. Chessum (Tigers)
5. Sodeke (Saracens) / Bamber (Sale)
6. Carnduff (Tigers)
7. ?
8. James (Exeter)
9. C. Bracken (Saracens) / McParland (Saints)
10. Benson (Harlequins) / Donoghue (Bath)
11. Arundell (Bath)
12. Ma’asi-White (Sale) / Waghorn (Harlequins)
13. Joseph (Gloucester)
14. Cleaves (Harlequins)
15. Redshaw (Gloucester)

I’m most excited to see what Parling can do with Chessum Jnr. and Carnduff and I think an Atkinson/Josepg centre partnership at Gloucester could be very handy indeed.

I couldn’t think of any 7s or 8s I’m particularly excited about which is just as well given the logjam of genuine talent. A nice problem to have.

Jack Bracken too.

[pjm1]

I would add tuipolotu in and potentially remove james if he opts for Wales…

[Which Tyler]

Add Bailey at FH - could really kick on if getting game time as first choice.
He won't unseat Fin or Ford, but versatility could potentially put him ahead of Marcus

I would add tuipolotu in

Good call, if he continues to develop, could potentially end the season as first choice for his club (I hope not - too young). It's not like Dunn and Frost are going to be impossible for him to overtake.

[Scrumhead]

I would add tuipolotu in and potentially remove james if he opts for Wales…

Yeah. Can’t believe I forgot Tuipolotu TBH.

James probably should opt for Wales.

[Scrumhead]

Add Bailey at FH - could really kick on if getting game time as first choice.
He won't unseat Fin or Ford, but versatility could potentially put him ahead of Marcus

I would add tuipolotu in

Good call, if he continues to develop, could potentially end the season as first choice for his club (I hope not - too young). It's not like Dunn and Frost are going to be impossible for him to overtake.

Hmmm not sure about that. Bailey is a great shout for one to watch but he’s simply not as good as Marcus Smith.

[Which Tyler]

Hmmm not sure about that. Bailey is a great shout for one to watch but he’s simply not as good as Marcus Smith.

I didn't say "as good" I said "versatility".
At FH? Marcus all day, every day. Twice at weekends. (This can be reduced with game time, but not closed)
At FB? Not much in it
At IC? Orlando, comfortably

In the 23 shirt of a 6:2 bench split...

[Scrumhead]

I guess. Didn’t really think about him covering 12 as well.

[Danno]

Ilione looks dangerous

[Scrumhead]

Indeed - not sure how I forgot him TBH. Along with Tuipolotu he would be an obvious choice and fills the blank space at 7.

[fivepointer]

Angus Hall at Saracens should be getting some game time.

[Scrumhead]

Yeah, Saracens have a few players to look out for. The Brackens, Hall and Sodeke are all interesting prospects.

Obviously not am emerging player, but I’ll be interested to see Malins getting a proper run at 15. I’m not convinced that he is a possible test option but he’s a very good player and I’ll be curious to see how he goes in his preferred position rather than being shuffled around.

[FKAS]

Was going to say Ilione as well. Turned into a really good impact sub last season and could kick on and pressure Reffell at 7 or if he's continued to bulk up then potentially move to 8 which would help the breakdown threat for Tigers.

Woodward is another at Tigers, made the 12 shirt his own last season. Few rough edges in need of polishing still but a classy operator. A few have called him Ant Allen MK2, he'll be coached by Ant Allen MK1 this season.

Can't say I rate Kane James, not sure he's one to watch. More interested to see if Jack Clement can take the 8 shirt at Glaws. Not many young 8s of note at the minute but looks like there's a couple of good prospects coming through so maybe next year.

[FKAS]

Hmmm not sure about that. Bailey is a great shout for one to watch but he’s simply not as good as Marcus Smith.

I didn't say "as good" I said "versatility".
At FH? Marcus all day, every day. Twice at weekends. (This can be reduced with game time, but not closed)
At FB? Not much in it
At IC? Orlando, comfortably

In the 23 shirt of a 6:2 bench split...

Marcus will always have that creative vision and fast feet to open defences, like a better Danny Cipriani. He's got to learn how to manage a game though, still a massive area of weakness and why he's dropped down the pecking order for England. That ability in attack is hard to leave out the 23, hence Borthwick liking him as a utility option that he can use as a "break glass in case of emergency" and gamble with Marcus at 10 or 15. Not sure Bailey will be able to offer something similar to that but if he can develop a stronger all round game then it might get interesting with as you say an ability for him to cover more positions.

Going to be interesting to see if he can make the 10 shirt his own early in the season or have to fight his way into it. Tigers have secured a couple of more experienced options so all eggs aren't in the same basket.

[Scrumhead]

Was going to say Ilione as well. Turned into a really good impact sub last season and could kick on and pressure Reffell at 7 or if he's continued to bulk up then potentially move to 8 which would help the breakdown threat for Tigers.

Woodward is another at Tigers, made the 12 shirt his own last season. Few rough edges in need of polishing still but a classy operator. A few have called him Ant Allen MK2, he'll be coached by Ant Allen MK1 this season.

Can't say I rate Kane James, not sure he's one to watch. More interested to see if Jack Clement can take the 8 shirt at Glaws. Not many young 8s of note at the minute but looks like there's a couple of good prospects coming through so maybe next year.

Yeah, I didn’t include Woodward as I feel like he’s pretty well-established now. Realistically, I guess it’s probably too soon to say that. It’ll be interesting to see how he gets on under Allen’s tutelage.

TBH, I put James in mostly because I couldn’t think of any other young 8s worth mentioning. He’s usually been amongst the better players for the U20s when I’ve seen them so I felt he was worth a mention, but truthfully if I were him, I’d be looking at Wales. He has Fisilau in front of him at Exeter who is a better player and with England’s plentiful back row options, his path to test rugby with Wales is infinitely easier.

I like Clement but he must be about 26 now and is pretty well established. I see him as more of a 6 though?

[charlesdeboeuf]

Arthur Green at Bath is one for the no. 8 slot. Should have been starting over Kane James at the 2024 JWC imo. He made some strong carries in his few cameos last season and hoping he’ll be given more minutes this coming campaign.

[fivepointer]

Clement was outstanding last season and unlucky not to go on tour with England. He's just up against some very stiff opposition in the back row.
With Ackerman moving on, I expect he'll be played at 8 next season. I'm not sure about James either. Lots of dynamism but i'm not convinced there's much rugby smarts there.

[Mikey Brown]

Clement was outstanding last season and unlucky not to go on tour with England. He's just up against some very stiff opposition in the back row.
With Ackerman moving on, I expect he'll be played at 8 next season. I'm not sure about James either. Lots of dynamism but i'm not convinced there's much rugby smarts there.

I really like Clement. Always looks like he should be an 8 to me. Maybe it’s just the physique and Gloucester shirt but he reminds me a bit of Ben Morgan, though he seems to graft a bit more.

[FKAS]

Clement is 24. Seemed he played flanker more because Glaws had Ackerman, Mercer and Tuisue in the squad. They have all now left and Glaws have signed Scottish sicknote but rough diamond Mann in as well as bringing Josh Basham back from Japan (though he plays across the backrow). Great chance for Clement to slot into 8 and push forward in that position.

[Puja]

Arthur Green at Bath is one for the no. 8 slot. Should have been starting over Kane James at the 2024 JWC imo. He made some strong carries in his few cameos last season and hoping he’ll be given more minutes this coming campaign.

Green is an excellent shout - looked to the manner born when he had chances last season and I'm excited to see him get more opportunities for Bath. Looked very Tom Willis in his indefatigable carrying style.

Puja

[FKAS]

Arthur Green at Bath is one for the no. 8 slot. Should have been starting over Kane James at the 2024 JWC imo. He made some strong carries in his few cameos last season and hoping he’ll be given more minutes this coming campaign.

Green is an excellent shout - looked to the manner born when he had chances last season and I'm excited to see him get more opportunities for Bath. Looked very Tom Willis in his indefatigable carrying style.

Puja

Great shout. Good prospect who should get more game time this season. Especially as Bath like two 8s in the 23.

[twitchy]

What happened to that massive second row at saints that c morgan was raving about?

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. Green is indeed a good shout.

I didn’t realise Gloucester had signed Basham. He’s a very handy player who I’d totally forgotten about.