Back in 2020, Sir Ian McGeechan picked out ten young rugby stars he believed were destined for big things on the international stage.
⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content! Six years on, some of those predictions have proved remarkably accurate, with several becoming established Test stars and British & Irish Lions.
Others, however, have followed very different paths – with careers taking them to France, Japan and, in one remarkable case, the NFL.
So, what happened to the ten wonderkids McGeechan tipped for greatness? Here’s where they are now.
1. Marcus Smith, England
Sir Ian McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“A bit of a throwback to my era in terms of his size (just 12.5 stone). But what a huge talent.
Smith’s progression from Brighton College 1st XV to the Harlequins 1st XV was rapid and well-timed, with Nick Evans stepping back to coach.
I have watched a lot of him. He never looks flustered on the ball, which is the hallmark of a great player and he has been in and around the England squad without yet being capped. But one to watch, certainly.”
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What happened next:
McGeechan was certainly on the money with this one.
Smith made his England debut in 2021 and quickly established himself on the international stage. He also helped Harlequins win the Premiership in 2021.
He was called up by the British & Irish Lions in 2021 and toured again in 2025, starting the second Test against Australia.
Smith remains a major part of the England set-up in 2026, although competition for the playmaking roles has intensified with George Ford and Fin Smith also pushing for selection.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 2. Jordan Joseph, France
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“A player who could be the future of a very exciting France back row. Already part of the Racing 92 1st XV.
Not yet capped at senior international level, but a crucial cog of the France teams who won the World Rugby Under-20 Championships in 2018 and 2019.
He played football up to the age of 13, which encourages ‘head-up’ vision to see things early. A powerful runner with good hands and a skilful offload game.”
What happened next:
Joseph hasn't quite developed into the automatic France starter McGeechan envisaged, but he has broken into the senior international set-up.
After developing with Racing 92 and spending time with Pau, the powerful back-rower returned to Racing and eventually earned senior recognition with France.
He has now made four senior appearances for Les Bleus, while he featured 12 times in the 2025/26 Top 14 campaign and scored four tries.
Still only in his mid-20s, there remains plenty of time for Joseph to establish himself more permanently at Test level.
3. Caelan Doris, Ireland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Another one off the Leinster independent schools production line (Blackrock College) and one of the standout No 8s in this season’s Champions Cup.
It is one thing coming through so young, but another to do it at Leinster, where the competition is so fierce. His ball-carrying, physicality and handling mark him out as a special talent.
I would expect him to go on to win many Ireland caps.”
What happened next:
One of McGeechan's biggest hits.
Doris developed into one of the world's leading back-rowers, playing a starring role as Ireland completed the Grand Slam in 2023 before becoming captain of his country.
He was widely tipped to play a major role for the 2025 British & Irish Lions, only for a shoulder injury to rule him out of the tour to Australia.
Doris bounced back and continued to lead Ireland, while also helping Leinster retain the URC title in June 2026.
However, a foot injury suffered in the final subsequently ruled him out of Ireland's southern-leg Nations Championship Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
4. Joe Simmonds, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Probably the closest of the English players on this list to an international call-up. Simmonds has quietly become an excellent fly-half with consistently good decision-making and plays well under pressure.”
What happened next:
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises on McGeechan's list.
Simmonds captained Exeter Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, but despite his success at club level, an England cap never arrived.
He eventually left Exeter for Pau in 2023, establishing himself in France's Top 14.
A composed goal-kicker and game manager, Simmonds has enjoyed an impressive club career even if McGeechan's prediction of international recognition didn't materialise.
5. Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“You cannot put a price on outright pace. Rees-Zammit has it in abundance, and, combined with his finishing ability, you begin to understand why the hype surrounding him has been so intense.”
What happened next:
McGeechan was right about the talent – although nobody could have predicted what came next.
Rees-Zammit became one of Wales' biggest stars, starring during their 2021 Six Nations title-winning campaign and earning selection for the British & Irish Lions that summer.
Then came the bombshell.
In January 2024, he stepped away from rugby to pursue an NFL career, initially joining the Kansas City Chiefs before spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rees-Zammit returned to rugby in August 2025, signing for Bristol Bears, and his comeback has since gathered momentum.
He signed a new long-term Bristol deal in January 2026 and started all five of Wales' Six Nations matches at full-back before returning to the wing during the Nations Championship.
By July 2026, he had reached 42 Wales caps.
6. Cameron Redpath, Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Scotland-qualified but seemingly destined to play for England. Eddie Jones has already had a look. Cameron was selected to go on the 2018 tour of South Africa but had to pull out with injury. Big future.”
What happened next:
McGeechan was wrong about the country – but right about Redpath becoming an international.
The Bath centre opted for Scotland and made a dream Test debut in their famous victory over England at Twickenham in 2021.
However, injuries have repeatedly disrupted his momentum.
Redpath has remained with Bath, but his Scotland career has stalled somewhat amid fierce competition for midfield places, and he featured for Scotland A in 2026.
At his best, though, he remains a hugely talented attacking centre.
7. Jamie Dobie, Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“He has George Horne and Ali Price ahead of him in the Glasgow and Scotland pecking order – neither of whom is exactly thinking of retiring anytime soon – but that is great for him and for club and country.”
What happened next:
Dobie has continued his development with Glasgow Warriors, gradually forcing his way into the senior Scotland picture.
The scrum-half earned his first senior international cap in 2021 and scored his first Test try in 2024.
Competition for the Scotland number nine jersey has remained fierce, particularly with Ben White and George Horneamong the options available.
Dobie's versatility and continued development at Glasgow mean McGeechan's prediction could still have plenty of life in it heading towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
8. James Grayson, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Another chip off the old block. Paul Grayson, his father, was one of my favourite players to coach – just a very clever, tactical player.”
What happened next:
Grayson's career has taken him around the world.
After coming through at Northampton Saints, the fly-half moved to Japan in 2023 to join Mitsubishi Dynaboars.
He spent three seasons in Japan but has now returned to the British game after agreeing to join Edinburgh Rugby for the 2026/27 season.
The move gives Grayson a fresh opportunity closer to home, although the England career once predicted for him never materialised.
9. Luke Jacobson, New Zealand
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Do not be surprised to see Jacobson in the All Blacks’ back row come the 2023 World Cup in France.”
What happened next:
McGeechan absolutely nailed this prediction.
Jacobson established himself in the All Blacks set-up and was part of New Zealand's squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they reached the final.
The Chiefs back-rower has remained part of the international picture since and underlined his continued value in August 2026.
Jacobson crossed for a try as New Zealand produced an impressive 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
Six years after McGeechan picked him out, Jacobson remains an All Black.
10. Jordan Petaia, Australia
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
“Having watched Petaia playing for the Queensland Reds, I was struck by how big and powerful he was and how natural he looked with ball in hand. Really good feet as well. Can run over you or around you.”
Petaia quickly justified the hype, becoming a regular Wallabies international and featuring at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.
But like Rees-Zammit, he eventually decided to chase an NFL dream.
Petaia entered the International Player Pathway and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in April 2025.
His NFL opportunity was short-lived, with the Australian waived/injured in August before the regular season began.
Petaia subsequently returned to rugby, signing a one-year contract with French Top 14 side USA Perpignan in September 2025.
He has since made a number of appearances in France, keeping alive the possibility of adding to his Wallabies career ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Six years on, McGeechan's original list makes fascinating reading. Some – particularly Doris, Smith, Rees-Zammit and Jacobson – went on to prove him emphatically right, while others followed career paths even one of rugby's most experienced coaches could never have predicted.
