Rising Star: Henry Pollock Makes the World’s Best Young XV

From electric finishers to powerhouse forwards, these are the rising talents poised to dominate the sport’s future.

Known for blistering pace and sharp footwork, this young back-three star has all the instincts of a natural finisher. He can carve open space from long range and glide past defenders with ease, while steadily rounding out his defensive and aerial game. A recent return from Racing 92 has given him an early taste of rugby life abroad — an experience that seems to have accelerated his development.

A creative spark across the back three, he brings precision, flair, and a nose for the try-line. Already Bordeaux’s all-time leading scorer after racking up his 47th try against Lyon OU this season, he was also the top finisher in this year’s Six Nations. A Champions Cup semi-final brace only underscored how special he is — remarkable considering he’s still just 22.

Direct, powerful, and relentlessly hard to stop, the Springbok centre/wing hybrid thrives on breaking gain lines and smashing tackles. His blend of robust defence and punchy carrying has quickly impressed at Test level, earning him a World Rugby Breakthrough Player nomination — even if the award slipped through his fingers.

With a background in rugby league and the athletic profile of a seasoned pro, he dominates the air, carries explosively, and relishes contact. His offloading game adds unpredictability, and while refinement is still coming, the ceiling is immense. It’s easy to forget that all this comes from a 22-year-old.

Calm under the high ball and clinical in space, the Springbok winger plays with the poise of someone much older. His finishing instincts and coolness under pressure continue to evolve, and at just 23, he remains one of the most exciting strike threats in world rugby.

Equally assured at fly-half or centre, this young playmaker guides attacks with sharp kicking, clear leadership, and strong decision-making. Already viewed as a standout South African talent, he also holds the record for the most points scored by a South African in a single game — an astonishing 37.

Operating at a high tempo around the base, this scrum-half’s quick service, smart choices, and sniping runs give his team constant momentum. His standout performances at the World Rugby U20 Championship showed a player unfazed by big moments and eager to drive a game forward.

Despite being a natural tighthead, his ability to cover both sides of the scrum — at just 21 — makes him even more valuable. The Sale prop has enjoyed a meteoric rise, earning a Lions training call-up in June 2025, filling in as injury cover, then returning to England duties for a successful tour of Argentina. A first Test start against the USA capped off a remarkable run of early-career achievements.

A former Baby Blacks standout who came through an interrupted U20 pathway, he made his All Blacks debut in July 2024 and marked the occasion with a late try against Fiji. Only 23, he continues to develop into a dynamic, mobile hooker with plenty more growth ahead.

Combining traditional front-row power with an impressive engine, this Springbok prop anchors the scrum and still contributes heavily in open play. His recent outings against Japan and Italy demonstrated both physicality and an ability to influence the game beyond set-piece.

Fresh off winning World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, the athletic young lock covers the pitch with giant strides and tireless energy. His work at the breakdown, defensive consistency, and growing influence with the All Blacks make his rise — from Dutch-born dreamer to Test lock — nothing short of extraordinary.

Uncompromising in contact and relentless at the breakdown, the Argentine lock mixes bruising defence with strong carrying. His form this autumn for Los Pumas has underlined his value in both structured systems and the messy, chaotic moments where tough forwards thrive.

A dynamic force in the All Blacks back row, his mix of strength, agility, and finishing ability lets him influence games all over the park. He made his Test debut in October 2024 and has looked completely at ease ever since — a clear sign of how highly he’s rated.

Fearless at the breakdown and tireless in defence, this openside flanker’s turnover ability and game-reading make him a constant menace. His rapid domestic rise — from Champions Cup standouts to Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Season — mirrors his ascent through England’s age-group and senior pathways. Records, tries, and big-match performances continue to flow for a player who seems to thrive under pressure. A Lions call-up in 2025 further highlighted his extraordinary trajectory.

Bringing relentless intensity, heavy carrying, and smart work at the breakdown, he offers 80 minutes of effort wherever he plays across the back row. England have begun moulding him into a long-term No.8 option, and he’s already delivering — including tries on his first Test start in 2024 and again during the 2025 Six Nations, where he even covered lock from the bench before scoring twice in Cardiff.