20 players aged 20 and under to watch out for in the Pro14: Pt 1
It’s often said that the lack of relegation in the Pro14 allows teams with a focus on Europe to rest their stars in the league until they are needed for the serious end-of-season business, devaluing the competition.
Perhaps that’s true but the flip-side is that Pro14 fans frequently get the chance to see thrilling young talents emerge in their weekly rugby fixtures. The possibility of witnessing the emergence of the next Stuart Hogg (who made 100 Pro14 appearances before he turned 25) or George North, who broke onto the scene at 17, is an ever-present in this league.
Every league has talented young players break through, of course, but the more common practice of squad rotation in the Pro14 means fans get to see more than just the superstars emerge regularly.
Continue reading below…
RugbyPass takes a look at some of the most promising names to watch in the Pro14 aged 20 and under.
Ryan Baird, Leinster, lock
Where else to start but at Leinster, whose academy could probably fill this list. Baird announced himself with a hat-trick against Glasgow Warriors just before the season was postponed, showing remarkable pace for a lock, as well as mobility. He’d already made his senior debut during round 21 of the 2018–19 season, however, and been involved in an Ireland camp at the start of the year. He calls lineouts too, just in case you were worried. A ferocious second row partnership with James Ryan looms, for both province and country.
Errrrrrrrrm what???? ?
Last time you saw a lock do this???
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Jac Morgan, Scarlets, back row
Captain of the U20s team, five Pro14 appearances under his belt, an impressive ball carrier and a good jackal — Morgan is definitely one to keep an eye on, if you’re not already. Coach Brad Mooar has described him as “an outstanding young prospect and it looks like he has been doing it all his life.” The Welsh back row factory just produced another member and, while the path to senior international honours is crowded, he is already breaking into the Scarlets matchday squad. His versatility will help but his ball carrying will likely prove the point of difference.
Jack Blain, Edinburgh, wing
The first player born in the year 2000 to represent Edinburgh, Blain’s exciting form throughout the age-grade levels for Scotland has meant he has been training with the senior team for a while now. He only has one Pro14 appearance to his name so far although he might have expected more as Cockerill balanced his international players’ welfare towards the end of a long season. An exciting prospect for this increasingly impressive Edinburgh team.
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Federico Mori, Zebre, centre
Italy’s age-grade teams have been emerging as a force for a while now and 19 year-old centre Mori is yet another example. He made his debut in the Pro14 — marking it with a try that showed his pace and power — before playing in the top Italian championship for Calvisano, with whom he is jointly tied, and has enjoyed Challenge Cup rugby this season too. He could make a very interesting addition to the Italian backline in a few years but, before that, expect to see much more of him for Zebre.
Dewi Lake, Ospreys, hooker
It’s been a tough season for Ospreys fans but the prospect of Dewi Lake has been one of the bright lights. He is a very modern front row with an all-round game and was training with the senior side during the Six Nations. He looks like he might be able to make the step up in physicality well. The former U20s captain skippered his side to a rare victory over New Zealand last year and much is expected from him in the future.
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Elrigh Louw, Isuzu Southern Kings, back row
The junior Springbok had a relatively late breakthrough in schools rugby but has made 12 appearances so far this season for Kings, starting seven and scoring a try against Munster in his second game. Kings list him as a No8 and that’s where most of his time this season has been, although he is also comfortable in the second row and the blindside flank. He is likely to continue to benefit from the South African side’s current focus on developing youth as part of a long-term plan.
Craig Casey, Munster, scrum half
Highly rated by Munster fans and with good reason, Casey has built on his Pro14 debut last season with some impressive cameos, including two Heineken Champions Cup appearances where he wasn’t intimidated by his more illustrious — or much taller — opponents. He has been rewarded with a senior contract for next season and looks to be a player Munster will use more and more, especially since he already seems comfortable managing a game at this level.
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Jamie Dobie, Glasgow Warriors, scrum half
Scotland suddenly have a number of promising, high-tempo young scrum halves and Dobie might be the most exciting of the lot. Warriors offered him a professional contract straight out of school, gazumping their Edinburgh rivals, with then-coach Dave Rennie describing him as “one of the most exciting young talents in the country”. He already has eight appearances under his belt this season and, despite being one of the youngest players on this list, has shown impressive physicality and pace at this level.
Hayden Hyde, Ulster, centre
Another example of the successful Irish Exiles programme, Hyde could have stayed with Harlequins and England — both of whom wanted him. But he has been part of the Irish set-up for years already and packed his bags to move to Belfast when Ulster came calling. He starred in Ireland U20 Triple Crown before their remaining games were postponed, showing the physicality he developed in his earlier career as back rower as well as his running and passing ability.
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Ioan Davies, Cardiff Blues, fullback
The fullback impressed during last year’s U20 World Championship and this season has earned a call up to train with the senior Wales squad, as new coach Wayne Pivac cast his eye over those rumoured to have a big future. He also made his first Pro14 appearance against Edinburgh at the end of February and will have hoped to kick on before the season was postponed. Davies has an exciting turn of pace but, at this age, it is his defensive insight and high ball composure that impress more — comparisons with Leigh Halfpenny might be a little premature but there is more than a touch of the former Blues fullback to his game.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments