Each PREM Rugby Club's Most Underrated Player

These are the workhorses, the unsung heroes, or simply the new faces whose reputations haven’t quite caught up with their impact.

From experienced internationals to emerging talent, here’s a look at the most underrated player from each PREM Rugby club — not necessarily unknown, but often unfairly unheralded.

At 35, Amanaki Mafi’s impact at Newcastle has turned more than a few heads. While most may remember him from Japan’s historic 2015 World Cup win over South Africa — where he set up the decisive try — he remains something of an enigma to Premiership fans.

Having spent most of his career in Japan and Super Rugby, Mafi arrived relatively quietly compared to others this summer but made a thunderous statement against Exeter with 74 metres carried and 16 tackles. Age hasn't slowed him down — it's made him smarter, and arguably, more dangerous.

Despite captaining both Exeter and Wales before turning 23, Dafydd Jenkins rarely features in discussions about the league’s brightest prospects. His leadership qualities are extraordinary — breaking the Premiership’s youngest-ever captain record at just 19, and later leading Wales in the Six Nations comeback against Scotland.

That kind of maturity, combined with a towering physical presence in the second row, should earn him more credit. Jenkins isn’t just a player for the future — he’s already making a massive impact now.

Anthony Belleau might not have been an unknown quantity when he arrived from Clermont, but few expected him to settle in so seamlessly. With 25 points from just two matches, including a clutch kick in front of a hostile Gloucester crowd, he’s shown nerves of steel.

In the absence of Fin Smith, Saints haven’t missed a beat. That Belleau has stepped in and performed at this level without much fanfare highlights just how under-appreciated his contribution has been so far.

Why Chandler Cunningham-South isn’t more widely celebrated is a bit of a mystery. A versatile forward, able to play both lock and flanker, the 22-year-old brings physicality, power, and rare adaptability.

Already an England international, he fits the modern mould perfectly — explosive, mobile, and consistent. Yet, he doesn’t often make the headlines. That kind of quiet effectiveness is exactly what every successful team needs, even if it doesn't come with weekly praise.

It’s easy to forget that Theo Dan is just 24, especially after a tough international outing against Argentina. That performance unfairly painted him as not ready, but it ignores the real strides he’s made with Saracens. Learning from Jamie George, Dan has improved significantly over the last year.

He may not be England’s go-to hooker just yet, but dismissing him so soon would be a mistake. He’s still developing — and still one of the most promising players in his position.

Arthur Clark has quietly built a strong case for being considered one of England's top young locks. At just 23, he’s already captained Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup and started in a European final. He even earned his first England cap this past summer.

Still, the national conversation rarely includes him as a long-term Test option. With leadership experience, big-game minutes, and a new contract under his belt, Clark’s trajectory is upward — whether others have noticed or not.

Fans know Viliame Mata for his thunderous tackles — and with good reason — but that narrow view misses so much of what he brings. A former Pro14 Players' Player of the Season, Mata is a complete forward: powerful, high work rate, and boasting silky offloads that keep attacks flowing. While his hits make the highlight reels, it’s his overall skill set that should earn more respect.

In a backline full of rising stars, Joe Carpenter is the one quietly doing the job week in, week out. A true fullback — not a utility back masquerading as one — Carpenter brings positional awareness, strong aerial ability, and counter-attacking threat.

Still just 24, he earned his first England cap this summer but remains largely unmentioned in international discussions. That likely stems from his specific role and low-key style, but make no mistake: Carpenter is one of the league’s best in his position.

Despite being a regular starter for a Leicester side that reached last season’s Premiership final, Ollie Hassell-Collins rarely gets linked with England selection. At 26, he's entering his prime and consistently producing strong performances out wide.

Perhaps it’s the competition on the wing, or his quiet demeanour, but he’s not often viewed as a Test option. Yet if form and consistency matter, then Hassell-Collins deserves far more attention than he’s getting.

Ted Hill’s case is perhaps the most baffling of them all — underrated not by fans, but by the England setup. Athletic, adaptable, and relentless, the Bath forward has all the tools to be a top-tier international.

His ability to play both in the back row and second row, combined with freakish physical attributes, makes him a coach’s dream. At 26 and with just five caps to his name, he’s overdue for a bigger role in England’s plans.