With the schools rugby season in the northern hemisphere just days away from kick off and the southern hemisphere now winding down it presents a chance to reflect on those that have progressed through to international rugby in recent years.
Following July’s Internationals Tours and with the Rugby Championship in full flow, young stars have been getting their chance to shine on the biggest stage, from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu announcing himself on the biggest stage and Tom Hooper emerging for Australia, to the seemingly irrepressible Immanuel Fey-Waboso for England and France’s young scrum halves getting the chance to impress with Antoine Dupont on Olympic 7s duty.
To shine a light on some of those youngsters that are on the rise, we have selected our Top 23 Under 23. Not a 23 man squad, but just our top rated players born after 1st January 2001.
What was immediately striking was the way different teams have integrated youth into their squads since the Rugby World Cup. South Africa, despite the emergence of some young stars, are unlikely to have more than 2 U23s in a matchday 23, Wales, as is well documented, have many. Scotland in contrast would be unlikely to have more than perhaps one U23 in a matchday squad, while England’s revolution under Steve Borthwick is a young one – it would not be in the least bit surprising to see six players aged 23 or younger in a matchday squad.
Clearly then, different sides take different approaches, but all have youngsters in their squads that were tearing up the schools rugby world not so long ago.
NextGenXV Top 23 Under 23
(Rank, Name, Age, Position, Nation, Caps)
23 Emilien Gailleton – 21, Centre, France, 3
One could pick from about 5 French centres aged under 23 for this exercise and few would complain. Earlier in the year Nicolas Depoortere was probably the leading youngster in the French midfield, but Gailleton has been talked about in hushed tones through the U18s and U20s and this summer made the step up properly to the senior side. There is still work to do to become an established member of the matchday 23 when the big tests roll around, but the sky is the limit for Gailleton and it feels only a matter of time before he becomes a fixture in the Test team.
22 Fin Baxter – 22, Prop, England, 2
If you know your front row onions, you will have known about Fin Baxter for a while. This year was the year that the non-afficionados of the front row learned all about him though. First with Harlequins as he started to really challenge Joe Marler for the starting loosehead jersey, then came and England A appearance in February, before touring with the senior squad this summer. His first cap was off the bench against New Zealand, replacing Marler, a week later he started. Ellis Genge is likely still the first choice England loosehead, but from this point on it would be a surprise to see anyone but Baxter wear 17 for England. In front row terms, that is extraordinary.
21 Wallace Sititi – 21, Back Row, New Zealand, 2
Sititi is the son of former Samoan international Semo, but the All Blacks were not ever going to be likely to pass up on the opportunity to give Wallace a taste of international rugby in their colours, having been schooled at De La Salle College in Auckland. He earned his first caps earlier in July, and was retained for the Rugby Championship as the Kiwis looked to bring through some young talent. Sititi is right near the top of their list, bringing that Pacific Island power as well as some tremendous soft skills. One to watch.
20 Tommy Freeman – 23, Wing, England, 12
At the start of the Six Nations the young wing that everyone in England was talking about was Tommy Freeman. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso might then have emerged to take the headlines, but throughout the tournament, the club season, and the summer tours, Freeman never faltered. He is a fixture in the England side and mature beyond his years. It would be no surprise to see him make the Lions tour, particularly given his ability to cover centre. That he can cover both wing and centre demonstrates the rounded nature of his skillset and his all-round game, as well as his x-factor, mean he is going to be around for many many years to come.
19 Ignacio Ruiz – 23, Hooker, Argentina, 11
With Julian Montoya and Agustin Creevey to learn from, Ruiz could hardly be better placed to become the next star number 2 for Argentina. He has had to battle to be in that position, losing his job after the collapse of London Irish. Perpignan were quick to snap him up though and London Irish’s loss has very much been their, and Argentina’s, gain. A skilled hooker, Ruiz is as adept in open play, making try-saving tackles and winning turnovers, as he is in the tight. Argentina’s legendary hooking reputation is in safe hands.
18 Zane Nonggorr – 23, Prop, Australia, 8
At 130kg, Nonggorr’s physicality and skills in the scrum quickly earned him the nickname ‘Baby Thor,’ as he made his debut a year ago before becoming a fixture in the Australian squad recently under Joe Scmidt. At a time when Australian rugby is struggling to retain talent, his recent contract extension with the Reds through to 2026 is absolutely crucial. Australia know they need to hold on to Nonggorr if they are to make the strides they need to.
17 George Bell – 22, Hooker, New Zealand, 1
Codie Taylor and Asafo Aumua might be the established first and second choice hookers for New Zealand, but Bell is definitely the established third as well, despite just the one cap to his name. He scored on his debut against Fiji, but perhaps more significantly was the third hooker selected for the 2024 Rugby Championship. Having worked with Scott Robertson so closely at the Crusaders over the last couple of years, the sense is that Bell is very much the future of the All Blacks hooker berth.
16 Nolann Le Garrec – 22, Scrum Half, France, 5
The trouble with being a scrum half in France at the moment is that you are forever in the shadow of Antoine Dupont. However in Nolann Le Garrec they have a young deputy that is more than up to the task. He was outstanding in the Six Nations in Dupont’s absence, first from the bench as a replacement for Lucu, then by forcing his way into the starting XV. Playing for Racing 92 inside Finn Russell will have been invaluable for him, now he has a different but equally brilliant fly half outside of him in Owen Farrell, all precious learning for him to take onto the international stage with the likes of Ntamack and Jauzion.
15 Lorenzo Cannone – 23, Back Row, Italy, 16
Italy have developed an incredibly competitive back row, with the likes of skipper Michele Lamaro, Seb Negri, and Ross Vintcent (also eligible for this selection), to name just a few, all creating an incredible amount of quality and competition. Yet at just 23 Cannone is a fixture in there and a guarantee to start if he is fit. He is a huge influence on the team and one of the key supporting generals to Lamaro. Like the very best back rowers his performance levels never seen to drop, and he is absolutely crucial to this Italian rugby revolution.
14 Pedro Rubiolo – 21, Lock, Argentina, 15
At 20 Rubiolo was named in Argentina’s squad for the World Cup, immediately signalling what a star in the making Argentina feel they have. He has not disappointed, becoming a fixture in the side and one of the key cogs for a young and shallow Newcastle Falcons squad as well. He is more than just a lineout and ruck hitting lock as well, with a broad enough skillset to be able to play in the back row too. With Lavanini the wrong side of 30, the future of the Argentine engine room looks to be Rubiolo.
13 Dafydd Jenkins – 21, Lock, Wales, 19
Captain of Wales at just 21 is an extraordinary achievement, and one Jenkins thoroughly deserved. For both Exeter Chiefs and Wales he has been a rock in times of real change, Exeter have come through that now while Wales are still in the midst of it, but with Jenkins in the engine room there is always cause for hope for Wales fans that they too will come through it. It is the part of the field where Wales are probably strongest and with most depth, but regardless it is Jenkins that is the guaranteed starter and who surely will be for another decade.
12 Chandler Cunningham-South – 21, Back Row, England, 5
It has been a huge year for Cunningham-South, he went from being without a club when London Irish collapsed, to becoming a key player for Harlequins, to a bench player for England, then a starter for England, and now almost undroppable for his national side. He still has plenty to add to his game, but his destructive tackling and high work-rate has seen him to admirably well in filling the void left by Courtney Lawes, and that is praise of the highest order. Needs to add handling to his game and become more of an 80 minute player, but at 21 there is time in abundance for that.
11 Jan-Hendrick Wessels – 23, Prop/Hooker, South Africa, 2
Wessels is a rare talent, able to play at both loosehead and hooker he has immediately become one of the most useful players in any squad that he is in. Add in his ability to his positional versatility, and you have a true star in the making. Powerful and skilful he is one of the youngsters that is going to be key as South Africa slowly move on from the group that brought World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023. Speaking of World Cups, in the limited squad sizes at a World Cup, Wessels’ ability to cover two positions could prove very handy come 2027.
10 Josh Lord – 23, Lock, New Zealand, 6
At over 2 metres, Lord is a big man, and he packs a punch in the carry. He has been on the radar for the All Blacks for a long time, making his debut back in 2021 before an ACL injury hampered his progress. He is back with bang though, and had a strong 2023 and 2024, becoming a key member of the New Zealand squad in the process. With his blend of height, agility, and skill, Lord is every inch the modern lock forward.
9 Tom Hooper – 23, Back Row, Australia, 10
Hooper earned his first call-up to the Wallabies in 2023. Making his test debut as a blindside flanker against South Africa. His ability to adapt and perform under pressure has solidified his place in the Wallabies squad, and at 199cm and 122kg, Hooper combines size and athleticism, making him a valuable asset.
8 Canan Moodie – 21, Wing, South Africa, 10
Moodie’s rise to international rugby has been meteoric, becoming one of South Africa’s most exciting young rugby talents and has quickly made a name for himself as a dynamic winger. At just 19 years old, he was called up to the Springboks for the 2022 Rugby Championship. Making his test debut against Australia in Sydney, Moodie showcased his potential by scoring a try in the 38th minute. His performance cemented his place as the second youngest player to ever wear the Springbok jersey. Known for his speed, agility, and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, Moodie has drawn comparisons to legendary Springbok winger Bryan Habana.
7 Davit Niniashvili – 22, Full Back, Georgia, 31
For a long time the only Georgian rugby names known to the wider public were gnarly props and grizzled back row forwards. No longer. Davit Niniashvili has racked up a staggering 31 caps at just 22 years of age and is truly a sensation. A counter-attacking threat, a calm presence, a siege-gun boot, Niniashvili has it all at full back. He has been talked about for a while as an emerging talent, but he is fully emerged now and a global star. Watching Georgia U18 start to progress as well, wins over France and England in the Six Nations Festival, suggests that Niniashvili could soon be the lead figure in a young and exciting Georgian side.
6 Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 21, Wing, France, 11
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is a box of tricks, the young winger can score out of seemingly nowhere as his try against Scotland in the Six Nations demonstrated. He looks small, though is over 6ft, but nobody can get near him. With Damien Penaud on the other wing, they are rapidly becoming arguably the deadliest strike partnership in world rugby. The biggest challenge for him is likely to be that France have such an abundance of young talent in the backline, one only has to look at the likes of Leo Barre, Nicolas Depoortere, and Theo Attissogbe not making this list for evidence of that, that one injury can see a player slide down the pecking order as another seizes their chance. Staying injury free will be important, because with a good run the sky is the limit for Bielle-Biarrey.
5 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 21, Wing, England, 7
Be honest. This time last year did you know anything about Immanuel Fey-Waboso? Few outside of Clifton College would be able to honestly say yes and yet now he is one of the most recognisable names in English rugby. Inside of a year he has gone from playing National League rugby with Taunton Titans, to being one of the first names on the teamsheet for England and a near certainty to tour with the Lions. It has been a meteoric rise, and there is a feeling that the ceiling is nowhere near being reached either. Intelligent, strong, quick, and athletic, Feyi-Waboso has taken to international rugby like a seasoned pro.
4 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 22, Fly Half, South Africa, 7
Known for his tactical awareness and versatility, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has quickly become a key player in his teams, showcasing a blend of physicality, agility, and a sharp rugby mind. Despite being eligible to play for England through his father, Nick Feinberg, Feinberg-Mngomezulu chose to represent South Africa, making his debut in June. With a contract extension keeping him at the Stormers until 2027, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to play a crucial role in both his club and the national setup. His calm demeanor, maturity beyond his years, and relentless drive to improve make him not only a player to watch but a potential leader for the Springboks in the years to come, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is poised to make a lasting impact.
3 George Martin – 23, Lock, England, 15
Like McCarthy, at this point in time it is hard to see the Lions touring without George Martin. Adept at 6 as well as the second row, Martin has established himself as a hard hitting and intelligent forward that Steve Borthwick can rely upon in the biggest of games. Indeed it is the biggest of games in which he usually serves up his best. Back in 2021 we named Martin, aged just 19, in our Lions ‘Cubs’ XV, an U21 Lions Squad, he has delivered on those expectations by the bucketload.
2 Joe McCarthy – 23, Lock, Ireland, 12
What a year it has been for Joe McCarthy. When you consider Ireland’s second row options – the man once considered a future captain, James Ryan, two-time Lions tourist Iain Henderson, and Top 10 in the World player Tadhg Beirne – just earning caps is impressive, let alone becoming an absolute fixture in the team. That is what McCarthy has done this year though, indeed he has been one of Ireland’s best players. Will tour with the Lions in Australia, of that there seems little doubt.
1 Tommaso Menoncello – 22, Centre, Italy, 20
2024 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Tournament at 22 pretty much tells the story of Menoncello. He might just be Italy’s best player already, and this is not the Italy of years ago, this is the Italy that in the Six Nations beat Wales and Scotland, drew with France, and should have beaten England. Menoncello was central to that, a beast in attack and defence, with pace good enough to see him also earn caps on the wing, and more than enough skill to compliment all of that too. There is no side in which he would look out of place, impressive at 22, even more so in the context of Italian rugby history.
Menoncello tops the pile for us then, but who makes the top of your list?
There are so many that could have been in the 23, not least any number of French youngsters such as Leo Barre, Nicolas Depoortere, Theo Attissogbe, and Baptiste Juneau, and indeed the enormous and sure-fire future star Posolo Tuilagi. Wales’ Christ Tshiunza and Mason Grady also came close, while Ireland’s Jamie Osborne was another. England’s Fin Smith is among the most unlucky.
From the Southern Hemisphere the likes of South Africa’s Ruan Venter and Quan Horn were both close, likewise Argentina’s Joaquin Oviedo and Australia’s Josh Flook, so too New Zealand’s Cortez Ratima and Fiji’s Inia Tabuavou.
What of Scotland too, without a player in the list, could a Jamie Dobie, Harry Paterson, or Max Williamson fully emerge this season to make the list?
Whoever you choose, one thing is clear, the future of International Rugby is looking very exciting indeed.