Guinness PRO14 2019/20: Breakout players
The Rugby World Cup presents opportunities throughout Europe for young players to excel in the absence of the senior club stalwarts, but in no league is this as prevalent as the Guinness PRO14.
Between the smaller amount of teams per nation, which subsequently sees them hit by more international call-ups on average, and generally stricter control on the number of games each player can play in a campaign, opportunities should exist right throughout the 2019/20 season for the next generation of player.
We’ve attempted to shortlist eight of the brightest prospects looking to make their mark on the league this season, with it looking as though each of the players, on paper at least, have an achievable pathway to regular senior games.
TAINE BASHAM (Dragons)
The versatile young back row has featured intermittently for the last two seasons, although with Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty both likely to be at the World Cup with Wales, the 2019/20 season could be his opportunity to cement himself into the Dragons back row.
Dean Ryan doesn’t lack for options, with Ollie Griffiths, Nic Cudd and Harrison Keddie also among the players at his disposal, but there’s something special about Basham. The reigning young player of the season at the region, Basham has explosive power as a ball-carrier, is competent at the contact area and works hard getting around the pitch, potentially making him a complementary piece in any combination of the Dragons back row.
JACK BLAIN (Edinburgh)
Edinburgh are likely to be shorn of Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham for the World Cup, creating space in the back three for impressive under-20s wing Blain. Still only 19, Blain actually has another year of under-20 eligibility to go, although if his performances at that level earlier this year are anything to go by, he could well force Richard Cockerill’s hand with a strong preseason.
In a Scotland Under-20 side that struggled all year and ultimately found itself relegated to the Under-20 Trophy, Blain was a consistent attacking threat with his excellent footwork and finishing ability. Paired with new signing Eroni Sau, Edinburgh would not lack for offensive players capable of making something happen whilst the stalwarts are away with Scotland.
Edinburgh U20 players Jack Blain and Jack Mann tell us about being in the Fosroc Academy and look ahead to tomorrow's Junior 1872 Cup match at Oriam 👍
Register for free tickets ➡️ https://t.co/cBDuqdApYD pic.twitter.com/GiNWPRyOSK
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 7, 2018
DEWI LAKE (Ospreys)
Lake’s opportunities are unlikely to come as a result of the World Cup, but there is a void to be filled at the Ospreys following Scott Baldwin’s move to Harlequins. A captain of the Welsh Under-20 side this year, Lake was accurate at the lineout, provided a strong carrying presence and displayed impressive work rate and conditioning for a front row.
The front row is always a testing position to make that leap from age-grade to senior rugby at, although the well-rounded nature of Lake’s play over the last season or two suggest that he has as good a shot as any to make it seamlessly.
📽️ Wales captain Dewi Lake plays it low key after leading his side to a famous win against @AllBlacks U20s pic.twitter.com/F4O1qtdtkl
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) June 17, 2019
NICCOLO CANNONE (Benneton)
The rise of Benetton over the past couple of seasons and the influential roles Dean Budd and Federico Ruzza have assumed in the Italian national team work to Cannone’s gain. Marco Fuser could also be on the plane to Japan, potentially leaving only Eli Snyman and Irné Herbst as competition initially for Cannone at the club.
Cannone is a powerful second row who contributed to a strong set-piece for Italy at Under-20 level last season, as well as helping them match up physically with packs that usually outmuscle them, such as England and France. He was impressive with ball in hand, too, not afraid to try and keep phases alive with passing at pace beyond the gain-line and offloads in the tackle.
CRAIG CASEY (Munster)
It is not difficult to see the hallmarks of Conor Murray in the young scrum-half from Limerick. With Murray integral to Ireland’s plans in Japan – and the team capable of going deep into the tournament – opportunity should hopefully present itself to Casey, who made his senior debut back in April.
He ticks the usual boxes at the position with a crisp and accurate pass, measured box-kicking and good control of tempo, although he also delivers with surprising influence on defence, given his smaller stature. If he can replicate the quality of his decision-making from under-20 level in training with Munster, then he should be in the mix during Murray’s absence, as well as a candidate to deputise for the 30-year-old during the rest of the season.
JAMIE DOBIE (Glasgow Warriors)
From one scrum-half to another, Glasgow swooped this summer to steal Dobie out from under the noses of Edinburgh by offering him a full professional contract straight out of school. Ali Price will start the season out in Japan with Gregor Townsend’s men and, assuming Scotland opt for three scrum-halves, George Horne will likely join him, paving the way for Dobie to have an early impact at Scotstoun.
It’s a lot to ask of an 18-year-old, taking on the game management and decision-making requirements of playing a position like scrum-half, but Dobie is very highly thought of in Scotland and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dave Rennie fast-track the young man’s development with early opportunities.
Edinburgh’s reluctance to offer more than an academy contract to Dobie could come back to haunt them, as Glasgow assemble a very impressive selection of Scottish scrum-halves.
SCOTT PENNY (Leinster)
You could talk about any number of Leinster players here, with the likes of Harry Byrne, Ryan Baird and Jack Aungier all potentially in the frame for significant playing time in the absence of Leinster’s cadre of Irish internationals. With Dan Leavy injured and Josh van der Flier likely out in Japan, we have opted for Penny, an openside who is just the latest in a long line of Leinster-produced back rows.
We spoke with Scott Penny earlier this week to discuss his rugby pathway, U20s camp, playing with Leinster and Italy on Friday.
Watch the game against Italy this Friday night at 6pm (Irish time) via https://t.co/8kZsNho5gt – thanks to @PwC Ireland#FutureIsGreen pic.twitter.com/d0rWbRjnHl
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 20, 2019
Penny is coming back from an injury of his own, although he should be fit in time for the season opener at the end of September. He is already physical enough to live with the rigours of the contest on the ground at the senior level, whilst his mobility and ball-carrying in the loose will be a welcome addition for Leo Cullen’s side, who could also lose Jack Conan and Rhys Ruddock to the Rugby World Cup.
JAMES MOLLENTZE (Cheetahs)
A speculative selection here, with Mollentze having previously been part of the Free State Under-19 team, although he is not currently listed among the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup and PRO14 squads. A contract may or may not be in offing, but Mollentze had an excellent World Rugby Under-20 Championship with South Africa and he could give the Cheetahs a fly-half to build around that they have not had since Johan Goosen.
The 20-year-old is also comfortable at full-back and inside centre and would seem to be a valuable addition for the Bloemfontein-based franchise, should they be able to keep him away from South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises. Interest in the versatile playmaker is likely to be high, so keeping him in the Free State would be a coup for the Cheetahs.
WATCH: The Rugby Pod react to the England World Cup squad
Comments on RugbyPass
It will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
1 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
2 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
3 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to comments