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England pair crowned the two best global schoolboy rugby prospects in 2024
By Ben Smith
England U20 pair Jack Bracken and Junior K’poku have been named the top two U18 prospects in the world in 2024 schoolboy rugby.
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The top 50 rankings published by NG rugby, feature 13 Australians, 12 New Zealanders, nine English, nine South Africans, three Frenchmen, two Japanese, and two Welshmen.
Bracken, the number two ranked prospect, is the son of former England scrumhalf Kyran who had 51 caps for his country and over 100 games for Saracens. The electric winger scored a hat-trick on debut for England U20 in this year’s tournament.
The number one ranked player, lock Junior K’poku is Paris-based having joined Racing 92 and has already representing the club at top level, as well as Exeter Chiefs previously.
The exceptional talent weighs in at 117kgs and is just shy of 6ft 7. Speaking with RugbyPass earlier this year, K’poku explained two of his brothers play in France, one with Lyon and one with Bourgoin.
@rugbypass Junior Kpoku has been on 🔥 this #WorldRugbyU20s #rugby ? original sound – RugbyPass
Both 18-year-olds have just became World U20 Champions in South Africa as England U20 claimed the crown over France U20 in the final. Both could feature yet in the years to come at this level.
The third ranked prospect is Australian flyhalf Joey Walsh, who is a Waratahs age grade product from St Augustine’s school.
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Unfortunately for Rugby Australia, the ‘special’ talent has committed to the Manly Sea Eagles from 2025 and will follow the NRL pathway following school.
The top ranked South African player came in at number four, lock Alzeadon Felix of Grey College, while South African schoolboy midfielder and Grey College teammate Pieter Van der Merwe was named at number six.
The highest ranked New Zealand player is Hamilton Boys High School midfielder Hiraka Waitai-Hiranga, ranked eighth overall.
Waitai-Hiranga starred at the World Schools Festival in Thailand three seasons ago in 2022 when Hamilton Boys were crowned winners.
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The second five-eighth is also heading down the rugby league pathway with the New Zealand Warriors who have named him as a signing to their SG Ball U19 squad.
The next best New Zealander is also a No 12, Jarrel Tuiamalo-Vaega of Kelston Boys, who just missed the top 10 coming in at number 11.
The full list of the top 50 U18 prospects in the world is available here.