World Rugby U20s Championship Emerging Talent

The World Rugby U20 Championship is approaching its conclusion and though it’s the teams at the top that are drawing most of the attention, there have been plenty of standout performances from players battling it out away from the spotlight.

Whilst these players are unlikely to feature in our XV of the Tournament (coming next week), they have all improved their stock significantly over the course of the last few weeks and have given their respective senior coaches plenty to be optimistic about going forward.

Sam James, Scotland

The hooker, who is heading to Bedford for the 2015/16 season, has been in fine form for Scotland over the last few weeks. He slipped into the Championship somewhat in the shadow of his more highly-touted front row colleague, Zander Fagerson, but his impact at the scrum and in the loose, not to mention his accurate lineout throwing, has been a real boon for Scotland.

A former member of Saracens’ Elite Player Development Group and having featured for both England U17 and U18 teams, James has switched allegiances to Scotland, thanks to a maternal grandmother, and could well be the long-term solution at a troubling position for the Scottish senior team.

Kosuke Horikoshi, Japan

The Japanese captain has opened a lot of eyes with his play at the 2015 Championship, leading an impressive Japanese pack from the front. His performance at the lineout has been as good as any hooker at the tournament, whilst he has also proven to be a livewire in the loose, offering a physical carrying option in a lightweight pack.

Horikoshi was a key cog in the Japan side which earned promotion from the Junior World Trophy last season, and though saving Japan from a return to that tournament this year may be beyond him, he has certainly improved his stock over the last few weeks. A productive career in the Japanese Top League is all but certain at this point, but the newly-formed Japanese Super Rugby team should be targeting him as one of their first additions.

Lucas Gasparri, Argentina

Gasparri has been unlucky at this year’s tournament. The openside was arguably the best player on the pitch during Argentina’s narrow loss to Ireland in the opening game of the tournament and has since had to suffice with a bench role as Argentina have rotated their back row. He dominated the contact area against Ireland, an area where Irish teams are always well-schooled, and showed a physical edge in the loose that Ireland struggled to contain.

The young Argentine is not currently one of the players signed up by the new Buenos Aires-based Super Rugby team, but clearly has the potential to have his name mentioned alongside the likes of Guido Petti and Facundo Isa as the future of Los Pumas’ pack.

Josh Dowsing, Samoa

Dowsing’s excellent performances at this tournament could well be a double-edged sword for Samoa. His powerful carrying and committed tackling have been considerable boons for the Samoan team, not to mention his leadership as captain, but with Dowsing a member of the Waikato club in New Zealand, there’s a chance he could return to this tournament next year in the black of New Zealand.

As it was with fellow back rower Henry Stowers, who switched allegiances to New Zealand this year after featuring for Samoa in 2014, Dowsing will certainly have piqued the interest of the NZRU. It is unfortunate that under the current laws this is possible, but putting aside the moral questions of any such move, Dowsing looks set to have a bright future, regardless of whether that is in the blue of Samoa or in the black of New Zealand.

Robbie Nairn, Scotland

Despite being still eligible for the U18 side, Nairn stepped up to U20 rugby this summer and has rewarded the faith shown in him by Scottish coach Sean Lineen. At 6 ft 3 in and weighing in at over 100kg, Nairn has offered a powerful option not seen on a Scottish age-grade wing spot in years, causing both Ireland and Argentina plenty of problems with his potent combination of strength and speed.

Nairn will head south to Harlequins next season and continue his rugby education in their academy, and though a blow to his current club Edinburgh, it could help his immediate rugby development with the Aviva Premiership Academy and ‘A’ leagues offering plenty of playing opportunities to the winger. It would not be surprising to see Nairn capped by the Scottish senior team in the post-RWC year, ensuring he is tied to the thistle moving forward.

Yannick Agbasse, Italy

Fresh from impressing during the U20 Six Nations, Agbasse has backed up that form in this year’s Championship, proving to be the pick of the Azzurri squad so far. Agbasse scored Italy’s sole try in their blowout loss to South Africa and looked a constant threat against Australia, despite not getting amongst the scorers. With high-end speed, an effective step and finisher’s instincts, Agbasse is already a very proficient attacking winger.

Agbasse has not yet signed with either Treviso or Zebre and could be a target for both English and French clubs, as fellow Mogliano and Italy U20 star Derrick Appiah was, having now agreed a move to the Premiership with Worcester.