Six players to watch out for in the Six Nations

After Johnny Sexton, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, and Owen Farrell, tournament regulars, left the Test facility last year, the Six Nations was all about a change.

With Ireland’s successful defense of their Six Nations title, new stars started to emerge from every country.

More talent will be itching to follow Joe McCarthy, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommaso Menoncello and Nolann le Garrec, who all shone last year.

There is no better time to step up for players hoping to make Andy Farrell’s squad now that the British and Irish Lions are in full swing.

Tom Willis has been reportedly asked to replace Saracens team-mate Ben Earl as England’s number eight due to his outstanding Premiership performance.

Willis, who is the brother of Toulouse flanker Jack, has taken the big boots off the long-departed Billy Vunipola at the base of the Saracens scrum.

Steve Borthwick was timely reminded of his abilities by his impressive performance against Bristol Bears, which included two tries.

Even though Willis has only won one cap so far in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up defeat, it was Wales’ 2023 defeat that led to that accolade, 2003 World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio hailed him as a future England captain.

Earl has been one of England’s best performers under Borthwick but could move to open-side flanker, where he plays his club rugby.

As Andy Farrell took matters into his own hands, Prendergast made his Ireland debut against Argentina last November, standing ahead of Ciaran Frawley and Ross Byrne at Leinster.

Impressive starts in Ireland’s final two autumn international victories over Fiji and Australia followed, with Munster’s Jack Crowley dropping to the bench.

And he is not slowing down. Prendergast, 21, is now Leinster’s starting fly-half and is in pole position to hold off a resurgent Crowley to start his first Six Nations in the famous Ireland number 10 shirt.

The gifted 21-year-old quickly established himself as the Ospreys’ starting fly-half and will strive to do the same on a global level.

Given Gareth Anscombe’s absence, the 33-year-old left him alone in Warren Gatland’s squad, which shows how highly regarded he is by the head coach.

Gatland claimed he wanted Edwards back in November, but injuries prevented that.

The Ospreys playmaker showed promise in a last-gasp drop-goal against Ulster in the United Rugby Championship last year when they defeated them.

The 26-year-old utility back made his Scotland debut against Fiji in November, but South Africa lacked confidence in the defeat.

Jordan, a fly-half by trade, played inside center for the Glasgow Warriors and demonstrated his dangerous running prowess in the fall.

In response to Sione Tuipulotu’s championship-ending injury, he will likely face Rory Hutchinson and Stafford McDowall for the starting center alongside Huw Jones.

Born in Auckland, Jordan qualifies for Scotland on residency grounds and is also likely to be battling fellow New Zealand-born fly-half Fergus Burke, who plays his club rugby at Saracens, as back-up to Finn Russell.

When he made his Italy debut at the final Six Nations, the 22-year-old was still technically a Domino’s delivery driver.

In his first two starts, he started twice off the bench and won both games with draws against France and Scotland.

Vintcent then made his debut against New Zealand in November, starting at number eight.

The Exeter Chiefs number eight showed off his blistering pace and footwork earlier this month when they won the Champions Cup against Ulster.

The South African-born Italian is becoming more popular as a result of his speed and increased experience of playing in the back row.

The Toulouse fly-half is no stranger to the Six Nations, having played in his first championship in 2019 as a 19-year-old.

After suffering a terrible knee injury that made him miss the 2023 World Cup and the championship last year, the 25-year-old hopes to make his first competitive appearance in almost two years.

Ntamack was France’s starting fly-half when they won the Grand Slam in 2022, so it’s no surprise that he was knocked out during their subpar campaign last year.

Ntamack’s return to the team helped Toulouse achieve both its European and domestic goals last season, supporting both Antoine Dupont’s skill and his return.

Thomas Ramos, the Toulouse full-back, started three of France’s Autumn Nations Series games at fly-half after a calf injury ruled out Ntamack.