Where are they now? The 10 best rugby wonderkids of 2016 

10 Years ago, an article by Wales Online picked out the stand-out young talents from the 2016 U20 World Championships, which was won by a phenomenal England class of age-group talents. In this article, we are taking a look back at the stand out wonder-kids from that tournament, and ask the eternal question once again; 'where are they now?'

From decorated All Blacks and British & Irish Lions to NFL converts and everything in between, there have been plenty of polarising journeys from the stars of the U20 Junior World Rugby Championship.

Back in 2016, Jordie Barrett was already carrying huge expectations as the next Barrett brother to rise through New Zealand rugby after Beauden and Scott. A skilful utility back, he broke through with Canterbury before becoming a Hurricanes regular and earning All Blacks selection in 2017. Over the next decade, he evolved into a world-class fullback, fly-half and centre, featuring in Rugby World Cup finals in 2019 and 2023. At club level, he starred for the Hurricanes before joining Leinster in 2024–25, winning the URC and reaching the Champions Cup semi-finals.

Junior Pokomela was regarded as one of South Africa’s brightest back-row prospects in 2016, after captaining the age-grade sides and starring for the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship. A dynamic loose forward from Grey High School, he combined physicality with mobility and soon broke into senior rugby with the Southern Kings. He later became a key player for the Cheetahs and added URC experience with the Stormers. While he never won a Springbok cap, he built a solid and respected professional career.

Sio Tomkinson was seen as a composed midfield talent coming through New Zealand’s elite pathway a decade ago. A standout at Otago Boys’ High School, he impressed for New Zealand Schools and the U20 side with his vision and strike running. He progressed into Otago’s senior setup before breaking into the Highlanders squad, where opportunities were limited in a strong back-line. He later became a steady Super Rugby performer, moved to the Dragons in the URC, and then returned down under to Western Force, and later Moana Pasifika, building a solid transcontinental career.

In 2016, Wales international Dillon Lewis was emerging as a powerful young tight-head prop from Cardiff’s academy system, already known for his scrummaging strength and maturity. He progressed quickly through Wales U20s and made his senior Cardiff debut at 18, becoming a reliable front-row option in the Pro12/URC. His consistency earned him a Wales debut in 2017 against Tonga, and he became a regular squad member across Six Nations campaigns. He later joined Harlequins before returning to the Dragons, surpassing 50 Wales caps in the process.

A decade ago, Curwin Bosch was one of South Africa’s standout schoolboy play-makers, known for his composure, kicking range and game management at Grey High School. He topped South Africa’s U20 scoring charts at the World Rugby U20 Championship and quickly graduated into the Sharks setup. Bosch debuted in Super Rugby as a teenager and earned a Springbok cap in 2017 against Argentina. While he never fully locked down a long-term international role, he remained a consistent Sharks contributor before moving to Brive in France.

In 2016, Rémi Laveau was viewed as a high-upside French back-row prospect, blending blindside physicality with sevens-developed pace. A France U20 international, he stood out for his line speed, turnover ability and running threat. Exposure on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series sharpened his open-field game further. He broke through at Bayonne in the Top 14 before moving to Castres. While he never reached senior international honours, he developed into a reliable and athletic professional across France’s top flight.

Damian Penaud was already identified as a natural finisher in French rugby 10 years ago, combining instinctive running with strong attacking flair. Developing at Clermont, he gained early senior experience across centre and wing in a stacked squad. His France U20 performances showed flashes of brilliance, and he earned a senior debut in 2017. Over time, he became one of Europe’s elite wings, breaking Champions Cup try sc oring records and becoming France’s all-time leading try scorer. He now stars for Bordeaux in a dominant backline, that just successfully retained the Champions Cup title.

In 2016, Ataata Moeakiola was one of Japan’s most intriguing young talents, a Tongan-born back who rose rapidly through the development system after arriving on scholarship. He represented Japan U20 at the World Rugby U20 Championship, where his pace and power made him a standout winger. His breakout moment came with a hat-trick against South Africa, showcasing elite finishing ability. He later progressed into Super Rugby with the Chiefs and represented Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and is since continuing with Kobelco Steelers.

In 2016, Marcos Kremer was an extraordinary teenage breakout, already playing senior international rugby for Argentina at just 18. A physically dominant back-row forward, he progressed rapidly through Atlético del Rosario into the Jaguares Super Rugby system. That year, he featured for Argentina XV, starred at U20 level, and was named in the Rugby Championship squad. Known for relentless defence and tackling power, he later became a key figure for Los Pumas, earning 70+ caps, cult hero status and starring in historic wins against New Zealand and Australia.

Joe Marchant was seen as one of England’s most polished young backs, combining pace, intelligence and strong defensive instincts in his younger years. A Harlequins academy product, he captained age-grade teams and impressed for England U20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship. He broke into senior rugby quickly, becoming part of Quins’ Premiership-winning side of 2021. A stint with the Blues in Super Rugby broadened his game before a move to Stade Français ended his brief England tenure following the 2023 RWC. However, his return to the PREM is scheduled for next season, with a move locked in with Sale Sharks, to bring him back into England contention.

In 2016, Mack Mason was emerging as a composed young Australian fly-half with strong game management and reliable kicking. Developed at Anglican Church Grammar School, he impressed through age-grade rugby with his calm decision-making. His standout moment came at the Oceania U20 Championship, where he kicked a last-minute penalty to beat New Zealand for the first time at that level. He later debuted for the Waratahs in Super Rugby before moving to Major League Rugby with Austin Gilgronis and Seattle Seawolves.

Robbie Nairn was regarded as a powerful young Scottish wing with strong sevens and U20 pedigree. He helped Scotland achieve a strong U20 Championship finish in 2015 and featured on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series the year later. Developed through Harlequins and loan spells, he later joined Glasgow Warriors and later Ayrshire Bulls. Known for his physical carrying and size on the wing, he remained part of Scotland’s wider elite setup through sevens and domestic rugby, though he never became a senior international regular.

Leni Apisai was one of New Zealand’s most promising young hookers, already playing Super Rugby for the Hurricanes as a teenager. A Wellington College product, he progressed quickly through provincial rugby and became a key figure for Wellington in Championship campaigns. He captained the New Zealand U20 side at the World Rugby U20 Championship, showcasing leadership and set-piece maturity. He later played for the Hurricanes, Blues, and Auckland, and also earning Māori All Blacks honours while building a steady professional career, yet the All Blacks run has yet avoided him.

10 years ago, a fresh-faced Harrison Keddie was a hardworking back-row prospect progressing through the Dragons pathway system. Having already made his senior debut, he developed through Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale, earning a reputation for physicality and defensive effort.

As a Wales U20 international, he was part of the next wave of regional forwards. He steadily established himself in the Dragons squad over time, earning a long-term contract extension and becoming a consistent squad presence in the back row. Keddie could finally make his Test debut this Summer, after Steve Tandy named him within the Nations Championship wider training group.

In 2016, James Ryan was already being tipped as a future Ireland leader after captaining the U20 side to their best-ever World Rugby U20 Championship finish. A dominant Leinster prospect, he combined physical power with elite rugby intelligence and led Ireland to a historic win over New Zealand U20. He quickly progressed into the Leinster ranks and earned senior Ireland selection in 2017. He went on to become a core figure in Ireland’s pack, winning multiple Six Nations titles and captaining his country.

10 years ago, Vasil Lobzhanidze was already one of world rugby’s youngest established internationals. Debuting for Georgia as a teenager, he became the youngest player ever to appear in a Rugby World Cup in 2015, aged 18-years and 340 days old. By the U20 cycle, he already had extensive Test experience and was central to Georgia’s evolving game. He built a long career in France with Brive, Toulon and Oyonnax, while becoming one of the youngest players ever to reach 100 Test caps for Georgia.

In 2016, Sione Tuipulotu was an emerging Australian centre known for physical carrying and sharp attacking instincts. He progressed through Melbourne rugby into the Rebels system and represented Australia U20, marking him as a long-term Wallabies prospect. However, his career then took a major international turn: after spells in Japan, he signed for Glasgow Warriors and qualified for Scotland through residency. He became a Scotland international, eventually rising to captaincy, and later reached the pinnacle with selection for the British & Irish Lions, completing a remarkable international transformation.

Harry Mallinder was one of England’s most highly rated young play-makers, already playing senior rugby for Northampton Saints as a teenager. A Rugby School product in the East Midlands heart-land, Mallinder combined size, kicking ability and versatility across fly-half, centre and fullback. He captained England U20s to World Championship glory and earned senior recognition early. Injuries later disrupted his progression, but he continued his career in Japan and explored opportunities outside rugby, including the NFL International Player Pathway programme as a punter, where he earned non-signed evaluations from the Indianapolis Colts and the Phildelphia Eagles, whilst pursuing an off-field career in finance.

In 2016, Keelan Giles was one of Welsh rugby’s most exciting young finishers, renowned for explosive pace and try-scoring instinct. Developed through the Ospreys pathway, he quickly rose through age-grade rugby into senior contention while still a teenager. He earned Wales U20 honours and early senior call-ups, marking him as a breakout attacking talent. Despite injuries and competition, he remained a key Ospreys player and eventually earned his senior Wales debut years later after long-standing expectations.