A Potential Six Nations 'Debutants' XV to whet the appetite
Rugby NewsFriday, 26 January 2018 at 21:19
As the Six Nations rolls into town once again, a group of players named in their respective nations squads face the prospect of making their international debut on the biggest stage.
In light of this, here we propose our own Six Nations’ ‘debutant XV’:
Fullback: Jordan Larmour - Ireland
Leinster back Jordan Larmour is the only uncapped player in a 36-man Ireland squad for the Six Nations games against France and Italy. The 20-year-old has impressed at full-back in try-scoring displays against Munster and Ulster in recent week
Wing: Josh Adams - Wales
Adams is rewarded for the form which has seen him top the Aviva Premiership try-scoring charts and named December's Premiership player of the month. Gatland simply had to pick the speedster and you'd fully expect him to make his debut during the championship.
Centre: Harry Mallinder - England
The past 12 months have seen Harry Mallinder go from relative unknown to a star of the Saints first team. Since making the move into full-time rugby after completing his studies at Rugby School. His versatility will make him useful to Jones during the Six Nations, especially due to the Aussie's injury concerns in multiple positions.
Centre: Matthieu Jalibert - France
According to those in the know, the launch of the Six Nations on Saturday week will be marked by the advent of the first teenaged fly-half to start a Championship match for a very long time. His name is not Marcus Smith of Harlequins but Matthieu Jalibert of Bordeaux. We've put him in the midfield because we were short.
Wing: Nathan Earle - England
Eddie Jones has also taken a shine to the promising youngster, selecting him in the senior England side for the non-cap international against the Barbarians in May 2017, before touring Argentina with the squad that summer. If Injury issues could see the speedster could get the chance to show what he can do during the Six Nations.
Fly-half: Marcus Smith - England
Born in the Philippines to a British father and a Filipina mother, Smith picked up the game of rugby union at the age of seven with Centaurs RFC when his family moved to Singapore. Smith is the second youngest debutant featured in the Aviva Premiership at 18 years and 200 days old whose record is behind George Ford. He's seemingly being set up for stardom and we hope he gets a few minutes.
Scrum-half: Tomos Williams - Wales
The 23-year-old Williams has made a strong case at Cardiff Blues this term, with his pace off the mark and speed of pass adding a real zip to proceedings. He’s a real livewire with ball in hand and a menace to opposing defences with his eagerness to take them on.
Prop: Dany Priso - France
Nominated for European player of the year, the loosehead prop has been making waves this season during La Rochelle's eye-catching Champions Cup debut. His presence in the scrummage combined with his ability to get around the field and win turnovers make him an immence talent.
Hooker: Tom Dunn - England
Despite being on the books of Bath since he was 15, Dunn had yet to make his first Premiership start at the age of 24 when Todd Blackadder arrived. However, since making his maiden league start against Gloucester in October 2016, Dunn has worked his way into the England training squad and established himself as one of the best hookers in the Premiership.
Prop: Murray McCallum - Scotland
McCallum graduated from the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy to join Edinburgh on a fully professional deal in 2017. He's since gone from strength-to-strength under Richard Cockerill and will be excited to test himself at the highest level.
Lock: Marco Tauleigne - France
He's a gigantic 6ft 4in number eight is a phenomenal talent, so we're using him to fill a gap in the second-row. The former France U20 international may struggle to displace Louis Picamoles but could be a destructive force off the bench.
Lock: Félix Lambey - France
Lambey joined up with the French Barbarians on their two-game tour to South Africa in June 2017, playing a part in both fixtures. The Lyon lock has now established himself as a cornerstone of his club team and is one of Les Bleus hottest talents in the second-row.
Flanker: Gary Graham - England
The 25-year-old son of former Newcastle and Scotland hooker George Graham has been called up and deserved an opportunity to show what he can do on the international stage. He's been efficient if not spectacular for the Falcons so far this season.
Flanker: James Davies - Wales
The colourful character has been rewarded for his excellent form with Scarlets and will be a breath of fresh air in the Wales squad for the Six Nations. He may be a late starter with his Scarlets debut coming just four years ago but the 27-year-old is a class act.
Number 8: Zach Mercer - England
What can you say about the charismatic 20-year-old that’s not already said? Yes, there are the flash things- like the amazing offloads and tries. But there is more to Mercer’s game than that. Many people’s U20 player of the tournament, Mercer is one of the most exciting English prospects in a long time and could be in line to make his debut against Italy.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading