Warren Gatland names England duo among his 12 players to watch this Autumn

Friday, 04 November 2022 at 17:36

byRugby Rucker

Warren Gatland has tipped two England stars to shine during the Autumn Nations Series.

Writing in The Telegraph, the former Wales and Lions boss identified 12 players to watch over the next month of exciting test rugby.

Below we take a look at his choices from the home nations. To read his full list read his article by clicking here.

Warren Gatland's Players To Watch: Home Nations

#1. Ellis Genge (England)

Age: 27
Club: Bristol Bears
Position: Loosehead-prop

Gatland wrote: "Ellis Genge has really grown in the last year or so. His game has gone to a new level. He's the real modern day prop: strong in the set-piece but has that carrying game and great mobility around the park.

"The role of props has definitely changed in the last five years. You have to be mobile, and Genge has fulfilled that role exceptionally well. I've been really impressed with how his game has continued to improve and the fact he's a candidate for the England captaincy.

Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Ellis Genge facts:

He was Leicester captain as they won the 2021-22 Premiership Rugby title
Genge started playing rugby aged twelve at Old Redcliffians playing in the back row
His scrummaging has benefited from the tutelage of veteran internationals Marcos Ayerza and Dan Cole
Genge has developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia)
The prop scored his first international try in a warm-up game for the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Italy at St James' Park

#2. Darcy Graham (Scotland)

Age: 25
Club: Edinburgh
Position: Winger, Fullback

Gatland wrote: "I think his club form with Edinburgh has been sensational. He's such a livewire as a player and I've been really impressed with him over the last 12 months.

"His ability to beat defenders, his footwork, he's quick, he gets lots of touches and pops up in midfield. He's definitely not a big man, but I have been really impressed with the way he has developed."

Darcy Graham facts:

Graham played for Hawick Rugby Club, playing in the Scottish Cup final aged only 17
He has represented Scotland's senior side, Scotland under 18s, Scotland under 20s and Scotland 7s
His first international try came in the 2019 Six Nations match against Wales at Murrayfield, and he subsequently scored two tries against England in the Calcutta Cup
Graham was part of Scotland's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

#3. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

Age: 30
Club: Leinster
Position: Scrum-half

Gatland wrote: "The key is Johnny Sexton, but you cannot underestimate the importance of Gibson-Park. He was the one player in the series in New Zealand who really controlled Ireland's game; his subtleties in terms of bringing the ball off rucks, his sniping game, bringing the forwards into it."

Jamison Gibson-Park facts:

Gibson-Park was born, and spent the first 10 years of his life on Great Barrier Island
The Māori All Blacks selected him for the 2012 end of year tour to England, playing against domestic club team Leicester Tigers, an invitational RFU Championship XV, and ending against the Canadian national team
In August 2019, Gibson-Park became eligible to play for Ireland under the World Rugby's eligibility rules
His nickname is "Gypsy Danger" after the character in the film Pacific Rim

#4. Marcus Smith (England)

Age:
Club:
Position:

Gatland wrote: "Smith has to be on here. When we brought him out on the Lions I was incredibly impressed with him. His running game is special, being able to put players into holes. There's less space at Test level, but Smith has the makings of an absolute superstar and can be the difference for England. I like his maturity, the balance he has in his game with kick-run-pass, he communicates well. That relationship can continue with Owen Farrell."

Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Marcus Smith Facts:

Smith was born in Manila in the Philippines and picked up the game at the age of 7 with Centaurs RFC when his family decided to move to Singapore, he learnt the game there before moving to Sussex as a 13-year old
His Dad, Jeremy Smith lived in Hong Kong from 1992-97, playing for Valley and the national side at fly-half
At just 18 years of age and 200 days, he made his Premiership debut at Twickenham to become the youngest fly-half to start in the top flight since a 17-year old George Ford
He is known to many of his teammates as Smudge, which is the traditional military nickname for anyone with the surname Smith.

#5. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Age:
Club:
Position:

Gatland wrote: "Everyone at the moment is really excited about him given his performances for Gloucester. I look forward to seeing him step up this weekend against the All Blacks and seeing how he has improved at international level. He has that blistering pace and finishing ability, but the challenge is how much ball is he going to get."