Players to watch at the World Rugby U20 Championship

Players to watch at the World Rugby U20 Championship

The 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship gets underway on Wednesday and we have shortlisted 8 players to keep a close eye on over the course of the tournament in France. 

England: Gabriel Ibitoye – Wing

Quins fans and watchers of the recent under-20s Six Nations will be all too familiar with the powerful winger. He terrorised defences in that competition and has played a handful of games for the Quins senior side as well, scoring a wonder-try against Bath in his 2nd appearance. He was England’s top try-scorer at last year’s tournament as he helped them to become champions. His finishing ability and ability to break through tackles is already in the top-level. Hopefully we see more tries like his superb finish against Australia in last year’s competition.

 


Ireland: Caelan Doris – Back-row

Noel McNamara described his skipper as “the best number 8 in the (under-20) Six Nations last year”. He takes over the captaincy duties from prominent Leinster A player, Tommy O’Brien, who starred in this year’s competition and led the side in the absence of the Ballina-native. Doris made his Leinster senior debut this season against Connacht and has had his academy contract bumped up to senior status. This shows just what high-regard he is held in within Irish rugby. He will likely be one of Ireland’s primary ball carriers and a terrifying prospect for opposition defences.


 

Wales: Ryan Conbeer – Wing

Only one word is needed to describe this guy. Electric. He made his senior Scarlets debut in the Pro 14 this season, and went on to score a wonderful solo try, beating 4 defenders on the way to the try-line with his dazzling footwork and searing pace. It is quite amazing that at just 19-years-old he will still be available for selection for next year’s tournament. If Wales can create the space for him out wide he could well be one of the tournament’s top try-scorers this year.

 

France: Romain Ntamack – Out-half

The son of famous French rugby man and former Toulouse captain Emile Ntamack. He is absolutely deadly from the boot and opposing teams will shudder at the thought of the number 10 dropping back into the pocket, such is the ease with which he drops goals out from 40m. He has made 10 appearances for the Toulouse senior side and has an astute head on young shoulders. He will drive the big French pack around as they hope to get out of a tough group with Ireland, Georgia and the Baby Boks. They have never finished higher than 4th but on their home turf will fancy their chances of making history.

 

Scotland: Devante Onojaife – Number 8

A product of the Northampton Saints academy and a brother of former England under-20 world champion, second row, Jordan, you pretty much can expect what you’re going to get from this guy. An abrasive ball carrier that provide the Scottish with much of their go forward, he will hope that he can help Scotland do well in a competition which has not brought them much success in the past.

 

New Zealand: Caleb Clarke – Wing

Last year’s tournament’s top try scorer has since made his Super Rugby debut for the Auckland Blues. He will be looking to add to his 6 tries from last year’s tournament and help the Baby Blacks to back to back championships. An electrifying attacking threat, he will be closely martialled by opposing defences. However, with so many threats in this New Zealand side, it may be impossible to watch them all.

 

South Africa: Damian Willemse – Out-half

The number 10 has been the Stormers first choice for much of this year’s Super Rugby season. He has already made 5 appearances for the Baby Boks, after playing in last year’s tournament. With a sidestep that bamboozles defenders on the opposite side of the pitch, it will be very hard to contain the former Paul Roos first XV maverick. Even if he is stopped, his ability to get the hands free and offload is quite unbelievable. With quick, flat passing, he is quite reminiscent of the 2011 Quade Cooper. It would be really something to see him come up against Marcus Smith at some stage over the next couple of weeks.

 

Australia: Len Ikitau – Centre

Sometimes they say leave the best till last, and that well could be the case here. Ikitau is an Australian-born, New Zealand-raised All Blacks supporter. But make no mistake, he will be representing Australia for many years to come. He has recently been recruited by the Brumbies and is working towards a Super Rugby contract. Another player in this year’s tournament with quality footwork he will likely cause defence’s real problems out wide. However, he doesn’t shirk his defensive duties either, and will be one of those players that will be disappointed with the trialling of the new nipple-line tackle rule in the JWC, such is the ferocity with which he smashes his opponents.

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