Seven newbies to watch in the Six Nations

Colin Newboult

Ahead of the 2020 Six Nations campaign, which starts on Saturday, we have picked out seven uncapped players to watch over the next couple of months.

Niccolò Cannone (Italy)

The second-row has enjoyed an excellent season for Benetton after primarily featuring off the bench in 2018/19. With the 117-times capped Alessandro Zanni nearing retirement and 33-year-old Dean Budd also in the latter stages of his career, Cannone is the future of Italian rugby.

He has starred for Kieran Crowley’s men over the course of the current campaign and will provide plenty of physicality for the national team. The 21-year-old is adept in the lineout but he is also an imposing presence in the loose and will add plenty of ballast. Alongside an improving back-row, which includes the excellent Sebastian Negri, Braam Steyn and Jake Polledri, they have the players to win the gain line battle.

Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Despite the presence of CJ Stander and provincial team-mate Max Deegan in the wider training squad, Doris has already been handed the responsibility of starting in a huge match. On Tuesday, head coach Andy Farrell named him in his XV to take on Scotland on Saturday and it is easy to see why.

The 21-year-old was particularly impressive in the Dubliners’ back-to-back Champions Cup triumphs over Northampton Saints and he appears set to garner plenty of game time during the 2020 Six Nations. Farrell has moved Stander to blindside flanker to accommodate the youngster, which is a huge fillip for Doris, and alongside Josh van der Flier they could form an imposing back-row combination.

Ben Earl (England)

Eddie Jones shocked everybody by not naming an out-and-out number eight in the 34-man group following Billy Vunipola’s injury, which duly leaves the door open for someone like Earl. The Saracens back-row has been in stunning form for the reigning Premiership and European champions and he could be in the Red Rose 23 for their Six Nations opener.

Jones doesn’t necessarily throw young players into Test rugby, but the 22-year-old is someone that may play a big part in this season’s tournament. The former age-grade star excels in most facets of the game and is the most suited to number eight than the other options in their squad.

Alexandre Fischer (France)

The openside flanker is one of the rising stars of the French game and, despite turning 22 earlier this month, has played like a seasoned professional for Clermont in the Top 14 and Champions Cup. Fischer only made his league debut at the start of 2018/19, but a hamstring injury during that season hampered his progress and kept him on the sidelines for a lengthy period.

Despite only making his return two months ago, Fischer hit the ground running and his impressive form caught the eye of France head coach Fabien Galthié, who made the young tearaway a surprise inclusion in his Six Nations squad. Like most opensides, Fischer is not big in stature and he’s only 1.88 metres tall. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in work ethic and skill, particularly at the breakdown, where his ability to win turnovers makes him a threat to the opposition. He will be keen to make an impact in that area if given his debut.

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

The speedster may only be 18 (he turns 19 on February 2) but he has already impressed since breaking into Gloucester’s first team. Rees-Zammit has all the attacking talents, including searing pace, excellent balance and a deft off-load, but the wing also has superb game understanding.

He is a quick learner and has not really been exposed defensively. Of course, Test matches are a significant step up but the Cherry and Whites flyer has handled everything that has been thrown at him so far and will hopefully get some game time to show his qualities over the next two months.

Kyle Steyn (Scotland)

The versatile back is yet to make his Test debut but is no stranger to the Scotland squad after earning call-ups ahead of last year’s Rugby World Cup and the Calcutta Cup game at Twickenham. Steyn, 25, was born in South Africa and qualifies to represent Scotland through a parent.

He played for Griquas at provincial level in the Currie Cup in South Africa in 2017 and 2018 and also represented Scotland’s national team in World Rugby’s Sevens Series before joining Glasgow Warriors during the 2018/19 season. Predominantly a wing, but also capable of slotting in at centre, Steyn is a skilful player, who has plenty of pace and he knows his way to the try-line. He’s done well since joining Glasgow and will be eager to do the same if he gets a shot to play for his country at Test level, with Darcy Graham’s injury increasing that chance.

Nick Tompkins (Wales)

Another uncapped player in the Wales squad that should make an impact in the upcoming tournament. Tompkins was born and raised in England but has a Welsh grandmother and Wayne Pivac has done a brilliant job to convince him to play for his side.

Tompkins is not necessarily first choice at Saracens but whenever the centre plays he impresses and he is highly thought of within the Premiership. The call up into the Red Rose squad never came, however, and their loss is Wales’ gain, who will surely give him several opportunities over the coming weeks. With Jonathan Davies out through injury, that leaves a spot open next to Hadleigh Parkes and, although moving George North into midfield appears to be Pivac’s preferred option, Tompkins has the talent to cement himself in the XV should that experiment fail.

England