Aviva Premiership: 8 young players to watch

With the Six Nations taking up screen time and column inches over the next two months, it’s often easy to fall behind on club rugby. However, the international period offers many young players a chance to make the step-up and put in the performances that get them noticed by their club coaches, and even on rare occasions England management. Here are a selection of young players who will be hoping to impress over the coming weeks:

James Chisholm
Harlequins – Back-row

With Harlequins losing their stalwart number eight Nick Easter fairly unexpectedly to England, the young Chisholm will have big boots to fill. The 19-year old is just in his second year in the academy, but has been putting in good performances in the LV=Cup and off the bench in the Premiership. It would certainly be a rapid rise for the youngster, but all the signs so far have been that he can handle it, and could be the latest off the production line of back-rowers for Quins.

Harry Thacker
Leicester Tigers – Hooker

The young hooker has had a break-through year and has been a star turn in the five appearances he has made so far this season. With Tom Youngs expected to be away for the full term with England, it gives Thacker a chance for an extended run in the side. His ball-carrying abilities emulate that of Youngs, shown in his two tries scored in Tigers’ win over London Welsh in November. It’s a big time for Tigers in the Premiership, with four games against teams sitting below them in the league, and Thacker will be hoping to help a strong push for the play-offs.

Nick Auterac
Bath – Prop

The prop moved from Saracens to Bath at the start of this season for more game time, a decision which has very much paid dividends. Being very strong in the scrum at such a young age is a rarity and makes Auterac a genuinely special talent. Bath aren’t short of top quality props, with both Henry Thomas and David Wilson in the England squad and Paul James away with Wales, and the youngster will be hoping to further his already burgeoning reputation in their absence.

Jack Clifford
Harlequins – Back-row

Clifford has become a mainstay in Harlequins back-row alongside former and current England captains, Nick Easter and Chris Robshaw. Known for his strong running ability, the 21-year old captained England Under 20s to a Junior World Championship win in 2013 and is proving himself a future England player. With Quins just two points way from a play-off spot, Clifford will have to step up and put in some big performances in the absence of the England players.

Billy Burns
Gloucester Rugby – Fly-half/Centre

Playing understudy to James Hook and having Freddie Burns as a big brother will certainly have its benefits for the Under 20s World Championship winner. As Billy Twelvetrees is away with England, Burns will have to prove his playmaking abilities in the centre, with fellow youngster Henry Purdy outside him. The international break is a prime opportunity for Gloucester to make the most of slip ups higher up the table and push for a play-off spot.

Elliot Daly
Wasps – Centre

A huge left-boot and great vision make Daly an irreplaceable force for Wasps. Their backs have become one of the Premiership’s biggest attacking threats, with Daly orchestrating many try-scoring opportunities for wingers Tom Varndell and Christian Wade who have 17 tries between them this season. Keeping the pressure on the current set of young England centres is important for Daly, and a strong end to the season could see him come into World Cup contention.

Ollie Devoto
Bath – Utility Back

Devoto is expected to play inside Sam Burgess for the duration of the Six Nations campaign, with the majority of Bath’s first choice playmakers being with England. His ability to play comfortably in any position in the back-line has convinced Mike Ford to use him consistently in what could be a title-winning campaign for Bath. A strong runner with the ball, his playmaking abilities will be scrutinised in the absence of George Ford.

Tom Collins
Northampton Saints – Wing/Fullback

The young winger, who started against Leicester in a Premiership semi-final before his 20th birthday, is certainly a prodigy. Despite the Saints signing Ahsee Tuala, a season-ending injury to Ben Foden and George North being called up for Wales has opened the door for Collins to continue his comeback from injury. Having already put in some impressive displays towards the back end of last season, the fullback will relish the opportunity to fight for more game time in a table-topping side.

By Charlie Baker (@charlienbaker22)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images