Sir Ian McGeechan's English Players To Watch In 2022: Where Are They Now?

"He has been out injured but remains one of the most impressively powerful ball-carriers I've ever seen in the Premiership."

Let’s take a look at how some of those names have progressed since McGeechan’s predictions.

McGeechan's prediction:
"A talented footballer and prolific finisher who can play anywhere in the back three.

"It's difficult to see any obvious weaknesses in the 20-year-olds game."

What happened next:
Freeman featured briefly for England in 2022 before having over a year out of the international game. Since his return for the 2024 Six Nations, he has established himself as a nailed-on starter for Steve Borthwick's side. Freeman's strong performances for Northampton Saints, which included a first-half hat-trick and man of the match during 37–34 victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup semi finals, led to him being called up for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. Now 24, he is firmly one of the best wingers in the world.

McGeechan's prediction:
"The son of Bath favourite Steve may not play in the back row like his father, but he has that same dynamism.

"With good distributive skills and excellent decision-making under pressure, he will go a long way."

What happened next:
He graduated from Bath Rugby's Academy to the senior squad in February 2022 and had a few years of consistently getting better, but last season felt like a proper breakout year for him, as Bath won a first Premiership title in 29 years. He scored tries in both the Challenge Cup and Premiership final wins for Bath made his Test debut against the USA this summer. There have been plenty of calls for him to get some more minutes in an England shirt, which could come in the not-to-distant future.

McGeechan's prediction:
"He's not lightning quick, or big, or a sledgehammer tackler, but he has a remarkable composure that belies his years. His game-management, kicking game and timing of passes marks him out as a very special player I rate very highly."

What happened next:
McGeechan got this one pretty spot-on. Smith started for the Worcester Warriors side that beat London Irish in the final of the 2022 Premiership Rugby Cup to win them their first ever top-flight trophy, before transferring to Northampton Saints after the financial issues at Sixways. A couple of years of growth followed, which included an impressive season in which he was named in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season for the 2023–24 campaign. First selected for England for the 2024 Six Nations, he got his first Test start a year later and hasn't looked back since. Also a Lion this summer, Smith seems to be England's fly-half for the future, even if George Ford is in scintillating form right now.

McGeechan's prediction:
"Quirke could come through before the 2023 World Cup. With England's faster game, his speed, tempo and eye for a break are exactly what's needed to compliment Marcus Smith."

What happened next:
Quirke unfortunately did not come through before the 2023 World Cup, being named in the initial training squad for the 2022 Six Nations but then not being selected until injuries to Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet got him a spot in the 2025 Six Nations. He has never truly delivered on his promise, in large part due to injuries sustained at the wrong time, but JVP feels a far more reliable prospect at scrum-half going forward. He has shown flashes of potential, but it is about doing it on a consistent basis.

McGeechan's prediction:
"Rodd is the identikit mobile loosehead who is ideally suited to the sort of game England want to play."

What happened next:
The Sale Sharks prop has had a very solid career and is firmly England's number two loosehead behind Ellis Genge. He was named in England's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and scored his first international try during their pool stage victory over Chile. Rodd also played in their last fixture of the tournament as England defeated Argentina to finish third with the Bronze medal. An extremely dependable prop, Rodd still feels like an underrated player in the international sense.

McGeechan's prediction:
"Jack has everything you would want from a hooker: his throwing his accurate, his work rate ridiculously high, he's defensively strong and has great game involvement."

What happened next:
In June 2022 Walker received his first call-up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones and was included in the squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship by new coach Steve Borthwick. He has fallen down the pecking order since then, being overtaken by Luke Cowan-Dickie, and with Jamie George still going, it is hard to imagine him getting serious gametime in an England jersey. Add to that Theo Dan's rise, and internationally Walker may struggle. He is a very solid Prem player for Harlequins though.

McGeechan's prediction:
"Maro Itoje really rates him, and no wonder because he's a big lad who makes big hits, and there aren't many large men who combine such physicality and skill."

What happened next:
Still only 20, Kpoku's hype has slightly died down recently but he is still one of the most exciting young locks around. Linked heavily with Sale Sharks over the summer, he still plies his trade in France with Racing 92 and has been a mainstay in the England U20 setup, being one of their best players. He was part of the England U20 side that won the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa. Overall, there is still more to come from Kpoku, and he could prove to be a very solid player going forward.

What happened next:
The then Wasps man was forced to leave after they entered administration on 17 October 2022 and Barbeary was made redundant along with all other players and coaching staff On 20 November 2022, it was confirmed that he had signed for Premiership rivals Bath on a long-term deal from the 2022-23 season, where he has stayed since. He has evolved into a very solid Prem player, but hasn't quite cracked it internationally, due in part to a few injuries sustained. After Bath's Prem title last season, he was spotted celebrating for days after the trophy was secured.