Rugby Union Today: Six Nations breakthrough players

Colin Newboult
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DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 20: Dan Robson carries a weight bag during the England training session at Kings Park Stadium on June 20, 2018 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we discuss which young players could replicate Jacob Stockdale and star in the Six Nations.

What’s on the site

The Six Nations is just over a week away and we have looked at the young players who could impress in the upcoming competition and make a name for themselves, just like Stockdale did last year.

There is also the short side, a weekly feature which studies the main talking points ahead of the action at the weekend. This time we focus on the PRO14, Top 14 and World Rugby Sevens Series.

Finally, the sides in the northern hemisphere may be without most of their internationals but Leinster have named Jack McGrath and Rob Kearney in the XV to face the Scarlets. We preview that encounter and the rest of Friday’s matches.

What’s in the news

Wesley Fofana has announced that he will retire from France duty after the World Cup in Japan. The Clermont Auvergne centre has garnered 45 caps, scoring 15 tries, but will concentrate on club matters following the global tournament.

Meanwhile, a couple of clubs in the Premiership were boosted by England players re-committing as Maro Itoje and Jonathan Joseph re-signed for Saracens and Bath respectively.

What’s on social media

Bath, however, obviously didn’t like the speculation that had been surrounding Joseph. The England centre had been linked to several clubs before putting pen-to-paper on a new deal.

Meanwhile, here’s Nick Cummins (aka the ‘Honey Badger’) being typically funny, and for a good cause too.

What’s on TV

Sky Sports televise two Top 14 games on Sunday as Toulouse host Grenoble before Toulon face Stade Francais. They also have coverage of the Hamilton Sevens, while Premier Sports bring you the PRO14 Round 14 action, which kicks off on Friday with three games.

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