Which players are going to make a breakthrough in 19/20?

[Scrumhead]

With the RWC taking a good chunk of Premiership first-teamers, it'll be interesting to see who steps-up.

The three that excite me most are probably Alex Mitchell, Max Malins and Will Stuart.

Mitchell looked really promising for Saints and was very good in the Barbarians game. Reinach is perhaps less nailed-on for SA, as Farrell is for England, but if he is at the RWC, it will be really good to see if Mitchell can step up as a starter. We've not been blessed with much depth at 9 so to have Mitchell and potentially Harry Randall seeing more game time, I'm hoping we'll see that pay dividends.

I was excited about Malins before I'd even heard of Marcus Smith and if this isn't his opportunity to establish himself as a regular in Saracens 23, I don't know what is ... As a as a rapid, elusive 10/15, Malins' style of play reminds me a bit of Beauden Barrett or Damien McKenzie and I'd love to see him get the game time at Saracens to show what he can do. Clearly he's not going to keep Farrell out of the team, but if he could be used as an impact sub, I think he'll shine.

Like Malins, Will Stuart has been a little bit slower to break through, but he really started to get some traction in 18/19. I'm not sure if I see the logic of the move to Bath with the competition from Henry Thomas and Christian Judge, but if he gets the game time, I think Stuart could be the tighthead we're looking for as Sinckler's understudy. If he doesn't take the chance, Joe Heyes has a great chance to build on the claim he started making last season.

Sticking with the U20 World Cup winners, there's also a few players whose careers have been really curtailed by injury who could/should be looking to get back on track this season. Harry Mallinder, Will Evans and Jack Walker have all shown signs of being top players, so I'll be really curious if they can capitalise on the opportunity to get more game time this season.

Others I'm tipping for good seasons are: Ted Hill, Cadan Murley, Joel Kpoku

Who are you looking out for?

[Timbo]

I’m interested to see Cameron Redpath get a few more opportunities. Seemed to be just starting to get back to full sharpness after his injury, then he took a bite out of someone.

Ollie Lawrence is another huge talent that should get plenty of game time this year.

Alfie Barbeary, although I’m not sure how much Wasps will use him this season. Maybe Prem Cup and a few appearances in Europe.

[Puja]

Mitchell's the player I'm most excited about. He'll be capped next 6N, by my reckoning.

I don't know what's happening with Malins. He looks such an exciting talent, but Sarries seem to have no interest in playing him - preferring Alex Goode out of position to selecting him.

I'm intrigued to see how Mallinder goes this season. Playing under Chris Boyd could be the making of him - he's got *so much* natural ability, but it's just going to be a case of harnessing it.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I’m interested to see Cameron Redpath get a few more opportunities. Seemed to be just starting to get back to full sharpness after his injury, then he took a bite out of someone.

Ollie Lawrence is another huge talent that should get plenty of game time this year.

Alfie Barbeary, although I’m not sure how much Wasps will use him this season. Maybe Prem Cup and a few appearances in Europe.

All excellent shouts although I agree it’s probably a season too soon for Barbeary.

Lawrence already looked ready for the Premiership last season and probably would have had a good few more games had he not been injured.

[Scrumhead]

Mitchell's the player I'm most excited about. He'll be capped next 6N, by my reckoning.

I don't know what's happening with Malins. He looks such an exciting talent, but Sarries seem to have no interest in playing him - preferring Alex Goode out of position to selecting him.

I'm intrigued to see how Mallinder goes this season. Playing under Chris Boyd could be the making of him - he's got *so much* natural ability, but it's just going to be a case of harnessing it.

Puja

It’s not unusual for Sarries to bring players through slowly - George and Spencer being two examples, so perhaps they’re following a similar path with Malins? It was weird that they ignored him and played Goode at 10 a few times though. Doubly strange given that he looked great whenever he did get a chance.

Boyd seems to be having a really positive impact on the younger players at Saints. Hopefully that will mean more starts for Mitchell and the development Mallinder needs to make good on his potential.

[fivepointer]

Mitchell does look a very promising player. Certainly one to watch. Other SH's worth tracking are Randall at Bristol and Jack Maunder at Exeter.
The Willis brothers should get opportunities this season. Hope Josh Bayliss does too.
Ibitoye didnt make a breakthrough last season but i'm still hopeful he can.

[Scrumhead]

I’m a huge fan of Jack Willis. If he can get back to his pre-injury form, I can see him in the England reckoning before too long.

Ibitoye is a funny one. He looked like a world-beater at U20 level but hasn’t yet been able to show that at senior level apart from the odd flash of talent here and there. Despite not having the glittering age grade career, Murley looked the far better of the two last season. Hopefully this is the year it clicks for Ibitoye.

[Stom]

I’m a huge fan of Jack Willis. If he can get back to his pre-injury form, I can see him in the England reckoning before too long.

Ibitoye is a funny one. He looked like a world-beater at U20 level but hasn’t yet been able to show that at senior level apart from the odd flash of talent here and there. Despite not having the glittering age grade career, Murley looked the far better of the two last season. Hopefully this is the year it clicks for Ibitoye.

Ibitoye struggled for consistency, which is understandable with the niggles he picked up. Hopefully he'll be over them and will start with a bang.

[Beasties]

I’m a huge fan of Jack Willis. If he can get back to his pre-injury form, I can see him in the England reckoning before too long.

Ibitoye is a funny one. He looked like a world-beater at U20 level but hasn’t yet been able to show that at senior level apart from the odd flash of talent here and there. Despite not having the glittering age grade career, Murley looked the far better of the two last season. Hopefully this is the year it clicks for Ibitoye.

It says a lot about Jack Willis that he's in my "already broken through" category. If he hadn't got injured I reckon he could well have been in the running for Japan, he's right up Eddie's street as a player. He has a similar effect on Wasps fans when he's producing yet another turnover as when Wade used to get the ball in space, quite an achievement for a flanker. If he can stay fit he'll be nailed on for Eng shortly imo.

[Stom]

I’m a huge fan of Jack Willis. If he can get back to his pre-injury form, I can see him in the England reckoning before too long.

Ibitoye is a funny one. He looked like a world-beater at U20 level but hasn’t yet been able to show that at senior level apart from the odd flash of talent here and there. Despite not having the glittering age grade career, Murley looked the far better of the two last season. Hopefully this is the year it clicks for Ibitoye.

It says a lot about Jack Willis that he's in my "already broken through" category. If he hadn't got injured I reckon he could well have been in the running for Japan, he's right up Eddie's street as a player. He has a similar effect on Wasps fans when he's producing yet another turnover as when Wade used to get the ball in space, quite an achievement for a flanker. If he can stay fit he'll be nailed on for Eng shortly imo.

We're going to have quite some options there, with Curry 2, Underhill, Willis 2, Hill, Dombrandt...

[twitchy]

Good article on england 9's:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/english- ... 019-offers

[Scrumhead]

I feel like these articles throw out a bunch of names of U18 kids in a bit of a mud against the wall approach. Realistically, I don’t see many of those being likely to be on their clubs’ first team radar in the next season or two, let alone impacting the test side.

I’d rather he’d spent a bit more time talking about Mitchell, Randall, the Maunders and the other young English 9s that are actually getting game time.

[fivepointer]

Its good that we have some promising youngsters coming through, but whether any can really kick on and be England contenders is open to doubt.
The really interesting question is why we havent produced 9's in the same way we have brought on players in other positions?
Shaw is right to highlight the difficulty in getting meaningful game time. The bridge between good 17-20 year olds and established 1st teamers, let alone international contenders, seems one that many cannot get over.
But why are 9's so difficult to develop?

[Raggs]

Hoping Vellacott can breakthrough.

[Stom]

I feel like these articles throw out a bunch of names of U18 kids in a bit of a mud against the wall approach. Realistically, I don’t see many of those being likely to be on their clubs’ first team radar in the next season or two, let alone impacting the test side.

I’d rather he’d spent a bit more time talking about Mitchell, Randall, the Maunders and the other young English 9s that are actually getting game time.

And surely Uren has been 1st choice at Briz this season...not Stirzaker.

So that's another EQP he failed to mention.

Meh. We just need gametime for the current bunch. That would be nice.

[twitchy]

I feel like these articles throw out a bunch of names of U18 kids in a bit of a mud against the wall approach. Realistically, I don’t see many of those being likely to be on their clubs’ first team radar in the next season or two, let alone impacting the test side.

I’d rather he’d spent a bit more time talking about Mitchell, Randall, the Maunders and the other young English 9s that are actually getting game time.

It seems incredibly hard to predict which 9's will make the step up. As was mentioned it's a been a huge problem for years.

[jimKRFC]

Uren and Randall have pretty much shared the starting/finishing spot between them, Stirzaker has barely featured. Boyland might get some bench time in the Cup, but he's 4th choice for the moment.

He's not English qualified (yet) but I want to see more Ioan Lloyd and would love for Ollie Dawe to finally step up.

[twitchy]

Does Lloyd want to play for england?

[jimKRFC]

Does Lloyd want to play for england?

I have no idea - just wishfull thinking!

[Scrumhead]

I feel like these articles throw out a bunch of names of U18 kids in a bit of a mud against the wall approach. Realistically, I don’t see many of those being likely to be on their clubs’ first team radar in the next season or two, let alone impacting the test side.

I’d rather he’d spent a bit more time talking about Mitchell, Randall, the Maunders and the other young English 9s that are actually getting game time.

It seems incredibly hard to predict which 9's will make the step up. As was mentioned it's a been a huge problem for years.

True. I think the challenge is that 9 is such a pivotal decision-making position and finding youngsters that have the game sense and authority to boss a forward pack etc. is tough.

I think it’s more likely we’ll see more coming through at 22-24 like Robson and Spencer did than we will at 19-21. That seems to be happening with Mitchell and Randall too (Uren too although I’d argue his breakthrough season was under less of a spotlight in the Championship).

As long as the younger, English guys who are deputising for the more experienced foreigners, eventually displace them, I think we’ll be OK (i.e. Mitchell replacing Reinach/Maunder replacing White etc.).

[Puja]

I feel like these articles throw out a bunch of names of U18 kids in a bit of a mud against the wall approach. Realistically, I don’t see many of those being likely to be on their clubs’ first team radar in the next season or two, let alone impacting the test side.

I’d rather he’d spent a bit more time talking about Mitchell, Randall, the Maunders and the other young English 9s that are actually getting game time.

It seems incredibly hard to predict which 9's will make the step up. As was mentioned it's a been a huge problem for years.

True. I think the challenge is that 9 is such a pivotal decision-making position and finding youngsters that have the game sense and authority to boss a forward pack etc. is tough.

I think it’s more likely we’ll see more coming through at 22-24 like Robson and Spencer did than we will at 19-21. That seems to be happening with Mitchell and Randall too (Uren too although I’d argue his breakthrough season was under less of a spotlight in the Championship).

As long as the younger, English guys who are deputising for the more experienced foreigners, eventually displace them, I think we’ll be OK (i.e. Mitchell replacing Reinach/Maunder replacing White etc.).

Agreed - Northampton especially are doing a great job with Mitchell. He's not been blocked or denied significant game time, but he's also clearly aware that he's second choice and his target is to work and improve to earn the jersey. Feels very much like the Castro->Cole succession plan for Leicester and hopefully will have the same level of success.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I thought it might be a good idea to resurrect this given we’re likely to see more young players getting a chance with lots of games in a short space of time.

Generally we weren’t far off as a group. Will Stuart and Ollie Lawrence have 100% broken through now and but for injury I expect Mitchell would have done. Ibitoye also had a better season. Malins still remains a bit of an enigma - he seems to get injured at the worst possible times, but hopefully the move to Bristol works out.

It still might be a bit soon for Alfie Barbeary, but it is notable that he’s in the senior squad for Wasps now, so may see some game time.

I’m looking forward to seeing whether Jacob Umaga and Ollie Hassell-Collins can maintain their form from before the break and I’m keen to see more of Ben Loader now he’s fit again.

Tyrone Green isn’t English but looks exciting. Not sure when he arrives though?

Corey Baldwin isn’t English either but he’s EQ, so definitely curious to see him in action. I know the Welsh are smarting about him moving to Exeter which is a good sign.

After a pretty dry summer, the ground is going to be fairly hard which should lend itself to some running rugby. Players are going to be off the pace fitness wise too so it’ll be interesting to see if the games are as fast and loose as I think they could be. Quick, fit players should do well. Heavier, slower ones might struggle ...

[Stom]

For Quins, this is the season for Dino Lamb. Either he breaks through or he falls by the wayside. He's a relatively quick and mobile lock who can play in the backrow, and he has good basics. He hasn't stood out in the senior games he's played, either positively nor negatively.

[Scrumhead]

Yes. Pretty much make or break for Lamb. While he’s not been conspicuously bad, I’ve never seen any notable impact from him and he seems quite fragile. I’m not convinced he’ll make it, but I’d be happy to be proved wrong.

As I mentioned on the transfer thread, I’m excited about Jordan Els. From what I’ve seen, his playing still reminds me of Genge and without much competition behind Marler, I think he could quickly become an important part of the squad.

I’m also keen to see how Hodge and Hinkley settle at Exeter. With rotation likely to be pretty high, I think both could see some game time.

[fivepointer]

Lamb's just 22. Time yet to make a mark but he probably needs to add a touch more bulk.

Hodge and Hinkley will get some game time but how much is difficult to say. Someone else at Exeter we will hopefully see something of is Will Witty.

I'm keen to see more of Sam Wolstenholme at Wasps, who i thought looked quite promising.