The NextGenXV World Under U18 XV for 2024 has been a hotly debated one, after year that has seen a tight U18 Six Nations Series, a fantastic tour of New Zealand from Australia U18, and a brilliant U18 International Series in South Africa.
The lull between Christmas and the New Year provides us with a chance to reflect on all of these great teams and performances throughout 2024, and it is from those that we have settled on our World U18 XV. That, of course, means that many of the Northern Hemisphere players are now U19s, since the season runs 2023/24 and 2024/25, and it only includes players that played international rugby this year – so the outstanding Kepu Tuipulotu sadly does not make the side.
It has been fiercely tough to select the side, the sheer quality and depth of players that miss out demonstrates just that. It has been an outstanding year of U18 rugby.
NextGenXV World U18 XV 2024:
15) Charlie Molony (Blackrock, Ireland)
Molony has been terrific through 2024, shining for both Blackrock College and then Ireland U18 as captain. A rock at the backlit there are shades of Rob Kearney about the young full back. He has a terrific boot and covers the backfield brilliantly, but it is when the ball gets in his hands that things really start to ignite, with his ability to find space and put others into it.
Expect to see and hear plenty of Charlie Molony as the years go on, for both Leinster and Ireland.
14) Cheswill Jooste (Noordheuwel, South Africa)
One of the most devastating runners and finishers in the schools scene, Jooste was named our number 1 prospect for South Africa in 2024 and for good reason. Pace to burn, a high work rate and an eye for the try line Jooste delivered some truly magical moments during the school season.
The youngster has signed with the Bulls for 2025 and no doubt we can expect big things coming his way in the future.
13) Nico Stanley (Auckland Grammar, New Zealand)
Following in a long line of exceptional Auckland Grammar centres Nico Stanley reminds many of a young Rieko Ioane who was the last true superstar centre produced by the school. Standing at 192cm and weighing at over 100kg he announced himself on the global stage with an outstanding performance against Samoa scoring a hattrick of tries.
Part of the legendary Stanley rugby dynasty the youngster no doubt has big things awaiting in the future.
12) Pieter van der Merwe (Grey College, South Africa)
A truly exceptional talent, Van der Merwe went into the 2024 season with much expected of him but few could have predicted that he would have more than delivered on his enormous potential.
A hard running 12 with pace to burn, he would rip open opposition defenses and form arguably the most lethal centre combination in schools rugby with Ethan Adams on his outside. His rugby IQ, temperament and humility puts him in good stead with a move to the Bulls on the cards where he will no doubt thrive under former Grey College coach Wessel du Plessis.
11) Charly Mignot (Lyon, France)
Mignot lit up the U18 Six Nations Festival back in the spring, quickly making a name for himself as one of the most devastating young finishers in the world. France have been producing wonderful young back three players by the bucketload of late, with the likes of Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Léo Barré coming through in the last twelve months or so. Mignot might well be next off the production line, like Bielle-Biarrey, he is quicker than quick, and his finishing is magnificent. A star in the making.
10) James Linegar (Kingswood School, England)
It is a sign of Linegar’s quality that the Kingswood Schoolboy was signed up to a pro contract by Bath at the end of the summers, despite still having another year of school rugby to go. For context, for those not familiar with the English system, most clubs do not confirm the signings of their academy intake until after Easter, Bath pulled the trigger with Linegar about 7 months before that, a remarkable backing of his abilities. His performances prior and since have warranted that faith, Linegar was instrumental for Bath en route to the U18 Academy League title, brilliant for Kingswood in one of their greatest ever seasons, and has been a fixture in the England U18 side. He has a maturity about his play that far exceeds his years, and is one to watch for sure.
9) Charlie Sinton (Tauranga, New Zealand)
A rare gem and another New Zealand scrumhalf that makes our list, Sinton was instrumental in a high successful Tauranga Boys season and made the New Zealand Under 18 squad for a second year running.
His crisp passing, amazing reading of the game and leadership have led many to believe he is a future All Black in the making. A winner of the Titan Sports Awards as well as being a finalist in the Junior Maori Sportsman of the year at the Maori Sports Awards shows that his performances have not gone unnoticed.
8) Elyjah Ibsaiene (Bordeaux, France)
Ibsaiene has been a force of nature for the France U18 side for two years, captaining the side throughout and cementing himself as a star of the future. His work rate is off the scale, those with long memories might remember the 2023 U18 International Series in South Africa, where Ibsaiene was to be seen making outrageous try-saving cover tackles, as well as some devastating carrying. In the U18 Six Nations Series in March/April 2024, he was outstanding. He exudes a ‘follow me’ style of leadership, taking on the tough challenges and passing them with distinction. It is surely only a matter of time before we see him representing Les Blues at senior level.
7 Tom Robinson (UQ Rugby Club, Australia)
The former Gregory Terrace star qualified for the Under 18 squad due to being a grade ahead for his age group and made the step up to Varsity Rugby with ease putting in some solid performances for the University of Queensland Rugby Club.
His physical presence and immense defensive game was key in Australia Under 18 recording a rare win over their New Zealand counterparts with Robinson captaining the team in this historic win. After his fantastic performances at international level he was immediately drafted into the Queensland Under 19 team.
His father Brett was another well known rugby player and it looks like Tom will continue the family legacy during the next stage of his career.
6 Riley Norton (Paul Roos, South Africa)
Norton has it all, not only did he do the double gaining national selection in 2023 and 2024 he managed to do the same for cricket as well. Since a young age virtually every major sports agency in South Africa were after his signature, it was Norton’s leadership and playing ability that would etch him into Paul Roos folklore.
A born leader, much was anticipated of the Roos class of 24 and although there were some tight games the team managed to become the first unbeaten Paul Roos squad since 1991. With plenty of options in front of him it will be interesting to see if we see Riley Norton represent the Proteas or the Springboks, only a fool would bet against this youngster who has shown maturity beyond his years.
5) JD Hattingh (Affies, South Africa)
Like Norton, Hattingh is a multi-talented youngster but one would never guess his other talent. First off it is important to recognize the entire Affies tight 5 of 2024, they were colossal against their opponents dominating virtually every aspect of play and were it not for some unlucky bounces of the ball or some controversial calls they could have easily been number 1 in the nation.
Hattingh is a mountain of a man, an intense player who gives it all on the field of play yet showcases immense sportsmanship and is known to be a man of high character on and off the field. Now for his second talent. After a dominating display against historical rivals Pretoria Boys he got on a plane to Cape Town where he join a totally different set of teammates, the Affies choir who went on to win a national gold medal. One choir boy you certainly would not want to mess with.
4) Dylan McNeice (St Michaels, Ireland)
Ireland, Leinster, and St Michael’s College have a production line of athletic second rows that has been astonishing in recent times, James Ryan being the standout and Ryan Baird, now playing in the back row, another. However McNeice’s 2024 has many thinking that he could have the potential to be the best of the lot. His achievements are already numerous, including in October leading St Michael’s to the St Joseph’s Festival title in a performance on a personal and collective level that was devastatingly good. He played a little bit at number 8 as well during the Six Nations, showing his versatility, but also his quality with the ball and his athleticism. A true modern day second row, and a player that will surely be talked about for a long time to come.
3) Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Firrhill High, Scotland)
The player that for year Scotland have been crying out for. Zander Fagerson is a world class tight head prop, but below him Scotland have been scrambling for depth. In Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, they might just have found that long term option. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Jerry, a hooker, Ollie was outstanding for Scotland in the U18 Six Nations, standing out across the nations, he backed that up by featuring prominently for the U20 side, as a 17 year old, in June at the World Rugby U20 Trophy, and just a couple of weeks ago he started for Emerging Scotland against Italy U23. Scotland are investing in Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, and with good reason.
2) Esethu Mnebele (KES, South Africa)
Not since Chilliboy Ralepelle has there been as much buzz about a young hooker doing the rounds of South African rugby but unlike Chilliboy Esethu remains grounded and humble which should see him rise rapidly up the ranks of South African rugby.
A South African Under 18 international both in 2023 and 2024, this highly physical player is calm under pressure with very few weaknesses in his game. The KES class of 2024 was full of quality players but it was Mnebele who was very much an unsung hero as most front rankers are.
Expect rapid development from this youngster and like many on our previous World Under 18 teams watch him go all the way, you read it here first!
1) Kingsley Uys (Southport School, Australia)
Kingsley Uys has been one of the standouts on the schools rugby circuit in 2024 and to think he never wanted to play prop, the positional switch has paid dividends and he is now so highly regarded that many are calling him the future of Australian rugby.
A powerful and well build prop, perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of Uys’ play is his extreme mobility. The speed he possess for someone in the front row is extraordinary, even in the loose he has awed many with perhaps his offload against New Zealand being the most memorable moment for a prop in 2024. Another aspect of his play to be noted is his leadership having captained Queensland at age group level and with another year of schools rugby left expect him to be in contention for the Australian Under 18 captaincy.
Replacements:
16) Luke McLaughlin (Gonzaga, Ireland)
There is plenty of excitement in Ireland about Luke McLaughlin, no mean feat given the resources at hooker in the Emerald Isle, with the likes of Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, and Gus McCarthy all vying for the number two shirt at national and provincial level. Gonzaga’s McLaughlin, who played a key role in their victorious 2023 Leinster Schools Senior Cup campaign, has played for U18 for two years, an impressive feat in such a competitive team, and has all of the qualities to challenge those three senior hookers in the years to come.
17) Jamie Miller (Whitgift, England)
Miller is a really exciting modern day prop, as comfortable with the ball in hand in the open space as he is operating in the cauldron that is the scrum. He was a star for Whitgift, and Harlequins recognised that, snapping him up to an academy contract, and the England U18 side were equally impressed as he became a key cog in the side at loosehead. In propping terms, he is relatively small, but opposition across the globe have discovered that within that frame lies and awful lot of technique and power. With Joe Marler now retired, there is an opportunity at Harlequins for another young loosehead to storm through and join Fin Baxter in competing for the number one shirt, Miller has a great chance to be that man.
18) Liam van der Heyden (Hamilton Boys)
Yet another gifted all round athlete, van der Heyden was named as Hamilton Boys’ all round junior sportsman of the year in 2022 excelling in rugby, basketball, waterpolo, and, shockingly for a prop, rugby sevens.
He was instrumental in Hamilton Boys securing a record 5th national title despite losing out on the Super 8 title, a fantastic achievement for the school and for him personally.
19) Isaac Fonua (Kings Parramatta, Australia)
The only returning member of last years all star Kings team, Fonua was a vital cog in the team that was full of young and inexperienced talents in what was a far more competitive AAGPS competition in 2024.
A towering physical presence, his leadership ability as well as being considered one of the nations premier line out specialists led to his selection to the New South Wales Under 18 team where he once again showcased his immense ability earning him his national colours.
20) Saumaki Saumaki (Nelson College)
One of the most intense and physical players on the schools rugby scene, Saumaki was a vital player in what was a historic run for the Nelson College class of 2024.
After epic performances in the Crusaders Premiership where they went unbeaten and won the playoffs they were set to face last years national champions in Southland Boys for the South Island title and the right to enter the New Zealand Top 4.
A comprehensive victory set up a fixture against Auckland powerhouse Kelson who many favoured, Saumaki and the Nelson boys put in an epic performance and reached the final but came unstuck against a highly motivated Hamilton Boys team.
He will remain in Christchurch for 2025 joining Old Boys club and no doubt he will be watched closely by the Crusaders hierarchy.
21) Lucas Friday (Trinity School, England)
The 2023/24 season began in frustrating fashion for Friday, after excelling for England U18 in South Africa, he missed the entire school season through injury, doubly frustrating for him as Trinity had named him captain. However when 2024 rolled around, the tables turned for Friday. Harlequins quickly offered him a contract, and he linked up with England U18 again, and once more he excelled. Since turning pro, he has been turning heads, and with Danny Care’s time at Harlequins nearing the end, it would be no surprise to see Friday starting to get ever more 1st team opportunities.
22) Yaqeen Ahmed (Wynberg, South Africa)
Ahmed was one of the form players of the 2024 season and in a position that had much competition. Wynberg certainly had a season to remember but the distance between the top 5 and the rest of the country has been wide for some time, to stand out and be considered the top pivot in the country takes some doing but Ahmed was cool hand luke personified.
His tactical nous and tactical kicking often got his team out of tricky situations and was arguably one of the most accurate goal kickers in the nation.
23) Steffan Emanuel (Millfield, Wales)
Only the fact that the two started centres are almost generational has prevented Emanuel from starting in this side. The Millfield leaver is an outstanding player and a real prospect for the future, as shown by the fact that on finishing his time at Millfield this summer, Cardiff quickly snapped him up from under the noses of Bath. He was brilliant for Millfield, and for Bath as well en route to the U18 Academy League title. He was then key for Wales in the U18 Six Nations, and sometime soon there is going to be a very exciting Carwyn Jones/Steffan Emanuel 10/12 combination for Wales – surely!
