Players to watch at World Rugby U20 Championship

On the eve of the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, here’s a look at one key player from each of the participating nations.

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PLAYERS SET TO LIGHT UP THE WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP

POOL A:

Posolo Tuilagi (France)
The 18-year-old Perpignan second-row made his debut against England in this year’s U20 Six Nations, having made 11 appearances – including two starts – in the Top 14. He’s played seven times since then, scoring tries against Wales in the find round of the Six Nations, and in the promotion-relegation play-off against ProD2 side Grenoble.  

Archie Hughes (Wales)
Two senior games were enough to convince Dwayne Peel, head coach of United Rugby Championship side Scarlets, to offer the 20-year-old scrum-half a new contract. Expect to see more of him in senior rugby next season, with Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy likely to be away on international duty.

Peter Lakai (New Zealand)
The latest in the long, rich line of baller eights from the Land of the Long White Cloud. In his breakout season, Lakai – vice-captain in South Africa – helped Wellington to a first NPC Premiership title in 23 years, and made seven appearances for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific. All after being a key member of the New Zealand under-20s squad that dominated last year’s Oceania Championship. 

Yoshitaka Yazaki
The swift-thinking, fleet-footed, free-scoring full-back and winger was a member of the High School Japan side that played Ireland U19 in March and is widely considered one of Japan’s stars of the future. He scored a try off the bench in Japan’s 52-46 win over New Zealand Universities on 27 May.

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POOL B:

Taj Annan (Australia)
Standing at 1.91m tall, the Reds inside centre is certainly imposing and was a real handful every time he touched the ball on the recent tour to New Zealand and will give the Junior Wallabies plenty of go-forward in midfield. He made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Fijian Drua this season.

Toby Elliott (England)
Out of the Max Malins school of versatility in that he can play most positions in the backline other than scrum-half but is most comfortable at wing/full-back. The joint-top try-scorer in this year’s U20 Six Nations made four appearances for his club Saracens in his first full season as a professional and will be looking to cap off a fine year with a finishing masterclass in South Africa.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland)
Long earmarked as Johnny Sexton’s successor in the senior number 10 jersey, Prendergast ticks every box needed to be a star. He has confidence and swagger, seems to have endless time on the ball, reads the game so well, kicks and passes beautifully, and most importantly he can nail the big-game moments.

Isaiah Ravula (Fiji)
A product of St Andrew’s College, Christchurch, Ravula was a star of the New Zealand schoolboy circuit. A fly-half with lightning-quick feet, he has the potential to be every bit as big in the game as his uncle, All Black Richie Mo’unga. He joined the Highlanders Academy in 2022.

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POOL C:

Masande Mtshali (South Africa)
Described as a “warrior” by Blitzboks coach Sandile Ngcobo ahead of his World Rugby Sevens Series debut in Dubai, Mtshali travelled to five tournaments in his maiden season on the circuit. South Africa will hope to provide the winger with the space in which he can showcase his pace and finishing ability.

Mateo Soler (Argentina)
Named in the Argentina squad alongside his brother Valentín, the pair are the sons of former Puma Facundo Soler. Mateo can play anywhere along the back-three and his performances for Dogos during Super Rugby Americas 2023 earned him a place in the team of the tournament and also the young player of the tournament award.

Marcos Francesco Gallorini (Italy)
Italy’s forward power impressed during the 2023 U20 Six Nations and no one player contributed more to that effort than tight-head prop Gallorini. Despite being only 18, he proved more than a match for his opposite numbers and ended the tournament with five tries to his name. He will hope to have a similar impact in South Africa.

Tornike Kakhoidze (Georgia)
In his third season as part of the U20 set-up despite still being only 19, Kakhoidze looks destined to be a mainstay in the Lelos midfield for years to come. Having made his U20 debut at 17, he was called up to the senior Georgia squad for the first time at the beginning of 2022 and made his test debut against Germany during the Rugby Europe Championship 2023.

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