RugbyRebels

After a pretty miserable summer for English rugby, I’m looking forward to a new Premiership season.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of these guys making a breakthrough or building on some early promise from last season.

1. Lewis Boyce - Harlequins

Auterac’s arrival might push Boyce down the pecking order at Quins, but he showed more than enough last season to suggest he could be Marler’s successor in the medium to long term.

2. Jack Walker - Bath

Walker has been rated very highly through the age grades and while injury curtailed his debut season in the Premiership, but I’d expect to see him kick on in 18/19 and challenge Tom Dunn for the 2 shirt at Bath.

3. Will Stuart - Wasps

Completing a front row of U20 World Cup winners, I think this could be the year for Stuart to make his breakthrough. He looked decent when given the chance last season and while Kieran Brookes’ arrival provides more competition at tighthead, I’m backing him to see more first team action in 18/19.

4. Joel Kpoku - Saracens

After an impressive U20 World Cup, Kpoku looks like he’s ready to follow in Itoje and Isiekwe’s footsteps. 18/19 is probably a little soon for a Premiership breakthrough but cup action is definitely a good possibility.

5. Alex Dombrandt - Harlequins

Dombrandt is a virtual unknown but starred for Wales at U20 level (qualifying by attending a Welsh uni). He’s a big, ball carrying lock who can also cover the back row and in a Quins side lacking depth, I think he has a great chance of first team action.

6. Ted Hill - Worcester

Hill has a very good chance of making a breakthrough following a very good U20 World Cup. Worcester have shown real faith in bringing through their academy products and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hill follow int the footsteps of players like Singleton and Shillcock.

7. Josh Bayliss - Bath

Arguably Bayliss had his breakthrough last season, but I’m looking forward to seeing him build on some promising performances. He’s probably more of a 6.5 than a 7, but is an industrious back rower who gets stuck-in both in defence and attack. With Louw and Underhill likely to be away on international duty (and with both being injury prone), I’d expect to see more of Bayliss in the first team.

8. Ben Earl - Saracens

Earl might have been better off captaining the U20 side, but his call up to he senior squad for the SA tour is a measure of how highly regarded he is. He’s probably more of a 7 at senior level and his pace and support play should see him make a difference to Saracens in 18/19.

9. Harry Randall - Bristol

Hard to say how much time Randall will get in what is likely to be a tough season for Bristol and his lack of size will probably count against him, but I think he has the talent to surprise people if given he chance.

10. Joe Simmonds - Exeter

Simmonds seemed to overhaul Steenson as Exeter’s first choice 10 at the end of the season and I’m excited to see what he can do with an extended run.

11. Gabriel Ibitoye - Harlequins

After a couple of seasons of looking electric at age grade level, it’s time for Ibitoye to make a breakthrough at senior level. Like Christian Wade, his size is likely to be considered a drawback, but he’s definitely bulked-up and with Quins looking relatively thin on the ground in the back three, he will definitely see more game time.

12. Cam Redpath - Sale

Good enough to interest Eddie Jones before dropping out of the SA tour through injury and has impressed on his senior appearances in the LV Cup. Good enough for a England to step in ahead of Scotland and definitely one to watch.

13. Ollie Lawrence - Worcester

Already on Eddie Jones’ radar and with LV Cup tries already under his belt, Lawrence looks like a hugely exciting player at 13. With pace, power, a good step and an offloading game, he’s got all the ingredients to be the next big thing.

14. Adam Radwan - Newcastle

After some excellent performances in the LV and Challenge Cup, 18/19 could be Radwan’s year to breakthrough in the Premiership. Unbelievable pace and great feet could see him become a successor to Newcastle’s excellent but ageing wingers.

15. Max Malins - Saracens

After some great, try-scoring cameos last season, surely this is the season for Malins to make his mark in the Premiership. He has way too much talent to be wasting away in the reserves and although he (reportedly) prefers playing at 10, the presence of Farrell and Lozowski is likely to mean that he is perhaps more likely to provide an alternative to Goode as a playmaking second receiver.

Honourable mentions:

Ehren Painter - Northampton
Josh Balham - Newcastle
Tom Willis - Wasps
Will Butler - Worcester
Luke James - Sale
Matt Worley - Northampton

I'm very interested to see if Radwan gets some opportunities next season. Its high time Stuart saw more 1st team action and Walker is due some luck with injuries.
Out of the U20s Olowofela will surely get some exposure and i'd like to see Grayson getting some game time.
Jack Maunder had a season to forget last year so i'm hoping he gets some meaningful action.

Agreed on Olowofela.

I forgot Sam Moore as well. Lots of hype with no real substance so far ... if he’s good enough for a squabble between England and Wales, you’d imagine there would be more to come.

Stuart looks the real deal. Spent a lot of time with Nottingham last season. He's now 3rd choice, but that promises gametime in my mind, it's rare that first choice tightheads don't pick up niggles here and there (at least ours!). Loved watching him in AW games last season, driving Franks backwards in the scrum with a very young pack, and he's got a big workrate, puts in plenty of decent carries.

Some ones not mentioned.
Cokasigna - in a team like Bath.
Simmons - Leicester 9 who I think looks really promising, with Youngs away on Internationals he should be able to build on this season.
Aspland-Robinson - not sure where Tigers picture him but suspect either him or Olowofela will be more the 15 cover.
Kitchener - Worcester lack of locks should means he will play.
Protheroe - Alot of talent, one of the most promising attacking options we have coming up IMO.
Henry Walker - Another Hooker who I think looks very promising.
Nott - As with Kitchener should get a few chances this season.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of Mikalcius for Quins. I really hope he comes back well after injury

Tigersman wrote:Some ones not mentioned.
Cokasigna - in a team like Bath.
Simmons - Leicester 9 who I think looks really promising, with Youngs away on Internationals he should be able to build on this season.
Aspland-Robinson - not sure where Tigers picture him but suspect either him or Olowofela will be more the 15 cover.
Kitchener - Worcester lack of locks should means he will play.
Protheroe - Alot of talent, one of the most promising attacking options we have coming up IMO.
Henry Walker - Another Hooker who I think looks very promising.
Nott - As with Kitchener should get a few chances this season.

Agree on all of those. Nott is a funny one. He looked great for the U20s but hasn’t made a breakthrough yet which is odd considering how willing Diamond is to promote good young players and Sale’s lack of depth at lock.

That said, he looks more like a 6 to me though so maybe that’s the issue? In other words - he’s too light for lock and Diamond feels that he needs a more muscular and experienced option like Ross on the blindside.

I can see him signing for a Welsh club if he doesn’t see more game time soon.

I was really disappointed to see Aspland-Robinson leave Quins. He looked like a very good ‘footballing’ winger/fullback and unless his injury has led to questions over his long time fitness, I can’t understand why he was released? Either way, I hope he gets a chance with Tigers.

Think the step up in physicality is a big thing for young forwards, it's not an easy step to take, especially depending on how the team works.

I thought Hill was superb in the World Cup. He’s already got some 1st XV experience so could really could kick on this season. Living in hope that Malins gets his 1st XV experience at Goldington Rd, as should he.

I fully expect for Olowofela to see the square route of fuck all serious first team appearances for Leicester. We've got a history of ignoring academy backs and with May, Holmes, Thompstone, SAR, Tait, Veainu, and Pakalani also in the squad, I am resigned to him tearing it up for the A side and being thoroughly ignored by O'Connor.

Puja

Puja wrote:I fully expect for Olowofela to see the square route of fuck all serious first team appearances for Leicester. We've got a history of ignoring academy backs and with May, Holmes, Thompstone, SAR, Tait, Veainu, and Pakalani also in the squad, I am resigned to him tearing it up for the A side and being thoroughly ignored by O'Connor.

Puja

Pakalani has been released.
And Veainu and May will be away for Internationals.

should have opportunities.

Scrumhead wrote: I was really disappointed to see Aspland-Robinson leave Quins. He looked like a very good ‘footballing’ winger/fullback and unless his injury has led to questions over his long time fitness, I can’t understand why he was released? Either way, I hope he gets a chance with Tigers.

He's looked very good in pre-season so far.

fivepointer wrote: ... and i'd like to see Grayson getting some game time.

After a recent Q and A with Boyd, I get the impression that this will be happening. He said something along the lines of 'Biggar is an 80 minute player, so we will be looking for opportunities to get Grayson some starts'. I've heard rumours that Boyd might not be overly happy with the signing of Biggar at 10, which obviously happened when Jim was still in charge. Will be interesting to see if Boyd and the new coaching team will have any affect on Biggars play - he does often stand very deep so I'd like to see him play a bit flatter.

Scrumhead wrote:

Tigersman wrote:Some ones not mentioned.
Cokasigna - in a team like Bath.
Simmons - Leicester 9 who I think looks really promising, with Youngs away on Internationals he should be able to build on this season.
Aspland-Robinson - not sure where Tigers picture him but suspect either him or Olowofela will be more the 15 cover.
Kitchener - Worcester lack of locks should means he will play.
Protheroe - Alot of talent, one of the most promising attacking options we have coming up IMO.
Henry Walker - Another Hooker who I think looks very promising.
Nott - As with Kitchener should get a few chances this season.

Agree on all of those. Nott is a funny one. He looked great for the U20s but hasn’t made a breakthrough yet which is odd considering how willing Diamond is to promote good young players and Sale’s lack of depth at lock.

That said, he looks more like a 6 to me though so maybe that’s the issue? In other words - he’s too light for lock and Diamond feels that he needs a more muscular and experienced option like Ross on the blindside.

I can see him signing for a Welsh club if he doesn’t see more game time soon.

I was really disappointed to see Aspland-Robinson leave Quins. He looked like a very good ‘footballing’ winger/fullback and unless his injury has led to questions over his long time fitness, I can’t understand why he was released? Either way, I hope he gets a chance with Tigers.

I'm sure Nott was injured for a lot of last season. He didnt seem to feature in the AW or in A league games.

Hopefully we should see a lot more of him next season. Sale rate him as he did sign quite a long contract.

I can’t say I’ve been particularly impressed by Grayson Jr so far. He’s looked OK, but nowhere near as eyecatching as Smith, Simmonds or Malins.

I can buy the argument that he’s a slightly more prosaic player so isn’t likely to make the same kinds of individual breaks as Smith or Malins but I just haven’t seen anything to excite me. He doesn’t even look particularly composed.

Hardwick is another who looks more promising IMO.

Scrumhead wrote:I can’t say I’ve been particularly impressed by Grayson Jr so far. He’s looked OK, but nowhere near as eyecatching as Smith, Simmonds or Malins.

I can buy the argument that he’s a slightly more prosaic player so isn’t likely to make the same kinds of individual breaks as Smith or Malins but I just haven’t seen anything to excite me. He doesn’t even look particularly composed.

Hardwick is another who looks more promising IMO.

It's really hard to shine behind a retreating pack unless you're a really attacking, creative 10. Smith can show that, his game is both attacking and creative. Malins is a strong runner (plus he's had a strong forward platform most times). Simmonds has played behind probably the most dominant forwards in the AP.

Give Grayson a platform and some time and I'm sure he'll shine, too.

Tigersman wrote:

Puja wrote:I fully expect for Olowofela to see the square route of fuck all serious first team appearances for Leicester. We've got a history of ignoring academy backs and with May, Holmes, Thompstone, SAR, Tait, Veainu, and Pakalani also in the squad, I am resigned to him tearing it up for the A side and being thoroughly ignored by O'Connor.

Puja

Pakalani has been released.
And Veainu and May will be away for Internationals.

should have opportunities.

Scrumhead wrote: I was really disappointed to see Aspland-Robinson leave Quins. He looked like a very good ‘footballing’ winger/fullback and unless his injury has led to questions over his long time fitness, I can’t understand why he was released? Either way, I hope he gets a chance with Tigers.

He's looked very good in pre-season so far.

I hope you're right. Of course, now we're probably going to sign James Wilson just to make absolutely sure that we're in no danger of using our academy.

Puja

Wondering if Butler and Lawrence would be better off moving from Warriors - I'd love to see them stay, but I'd prefer to have them get everything they need to succeed and be 12/13 for England in 2023

Scrumhead wrote:I can’t say I’ve been particularly impressed by Grayson Jr so far. He’s looked OK, but nowhere near as eyecatching as Smith, Simmonds or Malins.

I can buy the argument that he’s a slightly more prosaic player so isn’t likely to make the same kinds of individual breaks as Smith or Malins but I just haven’t seen anything to excite me. He doesn’t even look particularly composed.

Hardwick is another who looks more promising IMO.

He looked great when he replaced Smith in the U20s final a few weeks ago IMO, after Smith had been quite average all game

Great is a strong word.

He looked alright, Smith did have a stinker BUT he has shone at Prem level already.

IMO if it wasn't for his last name he wouldn't be talked about that much.

Scrumhead wrote:After a pretty miserable summer for English rugby, I’m looking forward to a new Premiership season.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of these guys making a breakthrough or building on some early promise from last season.

1. Lewis Boyce - Harlequins

Auterac’s arrival might push Boyce down the pecking order at Quins, but he showed more than enough last season to suggest he could be Marler’s successor in the medium to long term.

2. Jack Walker - Bath

Walker has been rated very highly through the age grades and while injury curtailed his debut season in the Premiership, but I’d expect to see him kick on in 18/19 and challenge Tom Dunn for the 2 shirt at Bath.

3. Will Stuart - Wasps

Completing a front row of U20 World Cup winners, I think this could be the year for Stuart to make his breakthrough. He looked decent when given the chance last season and while Kieran Brookes’ arrival provides more competition at tighthead, I’m backing him to see more first team action in 18/19.

4. Joel Kpoku - Saracens

After an impressive U20 World Cup, Kpoku looks like he’s ready to follow in Itoje and Isiekwe’s footsteps. 18/19 is probably a little soon for a Premiership breakthrough but cup action is definitely a good possibility.

5. Alex Dombrandt - Harlequins

Dombrandt is a virtual unknown but starred for Wales at U20 level (qualifying by attending a Welsh uni). He’s a big, ball carrying lock who can also cover the back row and in a Quins side lacking depth, I think he has a great chance of first team action.

6. Ted Hill - Worcester

Hill has a very good chance of making a breakthrough following a very good U20 World Cup. Worcester have shown real faith in bringing through their academy products and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hill follow int the footsteps of players like Singleton and Shillcock.

7. Josh Bayliss - Bath

Arguably Bayliss had his breakthrough last season, but I’m looking forward to seeing him build on some promising performances. He’s probably more of a 6.5 than a 7, but is an industrious back rower who gets stuck-in both in defence and attack. With Louw and Underhill likely to be away on international duty (and with both being injury prone), I’d expect to see more of Bayliss in the first team.

8. Ben Earl - Saracens

Earl might have been better off captaining the U20 side, but his call up to he senior squad for the SA tour is a measure of how highly regarded he is. He’s probably more of a 7 at senior level and his pace and support play should see him make a difference to Saracens in 18/19.

9. Harry Randall - Bristol

Hard to say how much time Randall will get in what is likely to be a tough season for Bristol and his lack of size will probably count against him, but I think he has the talent to surprise people if given he chance.

10. Joe Simmonds - Exeter

Simmonds seemed to overhaul Steenson as Exeter’s first choice 10 at the end of the season and I’m excited to see what he can do with an extended run.

11. Gabriel Ibitoye - Harlequins

After a couple of seasons of looking electric at age grade level, it’s time for Ibitoye to make a breakthrough at senior level. Like Christian Wade, his size is likely to be considered a drawback, but he’s definitely bulked-up and with Quins looking relatively thin on the ground in the back three, he will definitely see more game time.

12. Cam Redpath - Sale

Good enough to interest Eddie Jones before dropping out of the SA tour through injury and has impressed on his senior appearances in the LV Cup. Good enough for a England to step in ahead of Scotland and definitely one to watch.

13. Ollie Lawrence - Worcester

Already on Eddie Jones’ radar and with LV Cup tries already under his belt, Lawrence looks like a hugely exciting player at 13. With pace, power, a good step and an offloading game, he’s got all the ingredients to be the next big thing.

14. Adam Radwan - Newcastle

After some excellent performances in the LV and Challenge Cup, 18/19 could be Radwan’s year to breakthrough in the Premiership. Unbelievable pace and great feet could see him become a successor to Newcastle’s excellent but ageing wingers.

15. Max Malins - Saracens

After some great, try-scoring cameos last season, surely this is the season for Malins to make his mark in the Premiership. He has way too much talent to be wasting away in the reserves and although he (reportedly) prefers playing at 10, the presence of Farrell and Lozowski is likely to mean that he is perhaps more likely to provide an alternative to Goode as a playmaking second receiver.

Honourable mentions:

Ehren Painter - Northampton
Josh Balham - Newcastle
Tom Willis - Wasps
Will Butler - Worcester
Luke James - Sale
Matt Worley - Northampton

This XV is doing fairly well so far.

Jack Walker and Joe Simmonds haven’t really shone, but have been getting games, while a few of the others have been making a real impression. Hill, Kpoku and Lawrence in particular look like the real deal and Dombrandt has been very good in the cup for Quins.

Kpoku (who apparently has a twin brother in the academy as well) and hill look really good. Hill seems to score for fun as well. Imagine an england team with 4-7 being made up of curries and kpoku's.

Good that so many of these lads are getting some exposure.
Heyes and Painter getting outings, Wilkinson at Sale playing a fair bit, Lamb at Quins and Kiribrige at Falcons as well.
Ted Hill has been mightily impressive.

twitchy wrote:Kpoku (who apparently has a twin brother in the academy as well) and hill look really good. Hill seems to score for fun as well. Imagine an england team with 4-7 being made up of curries and kpoku's.

I'm just imagining going down to New Zealand and watching the commentators struggle with Itoje, Isiekwe, Kpoku, and Kpoku. We just need to get Uzokwe and Ibuanokpe up to international standard as well.

Puja

Looking back over that list I din't realise will stuart was so young. I thought he was one of those players that had just stepped up from the championship in his mid/late 20's. He looks about 40 already.

This is a pretty good article covering in a bit more depth the up coming u20's squad.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/many-bel ... assembled/