Academy Stars set up for Premiership glory

 No success story this season has been as big as that of Maro Itoje.

The Saracens lock was one of, if not the most dominant age-grade player since the U19 and U21 levels were merged into the U20 distinction. Remarkably, Itoje, who is still just 20 years of age, has begun to exhibit that same dominance at senior level and has certainly earned his call-up to England’s 50-man Rugby World Cup training squad.

With his rise to prominence fresh in the mind, we decided to compile our pick of the academy players who could breakthrough into the Aviva Premiership next season and start to write their own legends.

Nathan Earle, wing/full-back, Saracens

Were it not for an Achilles injury sustained in Bedford’s first game of the season, Earle would almost certainly have impressed enough in the Championship to have warranted a number of outings for Saracens this season. If Itoje was the talismanic captain behind England’s run to 2014 Junior World Championship success, Earle was the superstar back who could always be relied upon for a stunning try or significant territory gain with a jinking run.

Physically, Earle is very similar to Israel Folau, eating up ground with bounding strides and able to dominate in the air, but he also has exquisite footwork and agility, which is reminiscent of Jason Robinson. With Mark McCall suggesting after the Premiership final that David Strettle could be off to France next season, and Alex Goode set to be a part of England’s RWC squad, there could be plenty of opportunities for Earle to impress in 2015/16.

Joe Marchant, centre, Harlequins

Marchant made his debut for Quins against Newcastle in their last game of the season, impressing alongside fellow academy graduate Harry Sloan. Jamie Roberts’ arrival at The Stoop will obviously make the competition for a centre spot that bit more difficult, but Marchant would offer an elusive contrast outside of the hard-running Roberts at inside centre.

An injury in that game against Newcastle has ruled him out of England’s World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, but it could prove to be a boon for Marchant at club level, who should now get a head-start on Quins’ preseason, with no international duties this summer. Marchant also has experience at fly-half and could possibly be being earmarked as a long-term replacement for Nick Evans.

Paul Hill, tighthead prop, Northampton Saints

Almost certainly the best tighthead prop at age-grade level since the amalgamation of the U19 and U21 categories, Hill arrives at Northampton with a very real chance of becoming their number two tighthead. The incoming Kieran Brookes should replace Salesi Ma’afu in Northampton’s starting XV, but Hill has the capability to challenge Gareth Denman for playing time.

Asking a 20-year-old to shoulder the burden of front row scrummaging in the Premiership is no small thing, but such has been the dominance of Hill at age-grade level for England. If he can repeat his stellar showing from the 2014 JWC in this year’s competition, there’s no reason why he can’t use that as springboard to the Northampton senior squad next season.

Charlie Ewels, lock/back row, Bath

Ewels stepped up admirably this season, filling in at blindside flanker and number eight for Bath during their back row injury crisis earlier this season. Following on from impressing for Bath in the Premiership and Champions Cup, Ewels also captained the England U20s side to Six Nations victory, and will be aiming to do similar at the World Championships this summer.

Club captain Stuart Hooper will turn 34 this year, whilst fellow forwards Dave Attwood, Francois Louw and Sam Burgess could all be heavily involved in the RWC, likely giving Ewels an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot early in the 2015/16 season. Grooming Ewels to be Hooper’s successor, not only as a player, but also as captain, should be high on Bath and Mike Ford’s list of priorities next season.

Zach Kibirige, winger, Newcastle Falcons

Like Earle, Kibirige’s big break should have come in the 2014/15 season, but it was a different kind of break which derailed his chances. Kibirige broke his leg in his Newcastle debut at the end of the 2013/14 season and it was an injury which saw him unable to feature for the Falcons until the latter stages of this campaign.

The talented winger has put that behind him however and is set to make the most of opportunities created by Sinoti Sinoti’s likely inclusion in Samoa’s final RWC squad. Incoming winger Giovanbattista Venditti is also likely to be involved at the RWC with Italy, meaning Kibirige should have a full preseason and a few games under his belt before they return to contention for Newcastle. Fast, powerful and possessing a pair of feet as nimble as rugby’s most elusive talents, Kibirige should add significantly to an improving Falcons back line.