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The 5 players tipped to light up new English Premiership season
The 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership rugby season in England promises to be another thrilling domestic campaign. Here, the PA news agency looks at five players who could prove star attractions of English club rugby’s showpiece competition:
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LOUIS LYNAGH (Harlequins)
At the age of 20, Lynagh has already left an indelible mark on Harlequins’ rich history by scoring two late tries that secured a first Premiership rugby title since 2012 as Quins beat Exeter 40-38 at Twickenham in June.
The exciting wing is qualified to play for three countries – Italy through birth, England on residency and Australia, with Lynagh’s father Michael an all-time Wallabies great, who helped his country win the 1991 World Cup and amassed 911 Test points. Having made such an impact at Quins last term, it will be fascinating to observe Lynagh’s progress this season as a key weapon in the English champions’ attacking armoury.
FREDDIE STEWARD (Leicester)
Leicester full-back Steward is viewed among English rugby’s brightest prospects. The 20-year-old has already played Test rugby, making his England debut in a 43-29 victory over the United States this summer and impressing numerous observers through his immaculate work under the high ball, all-round defensive excellence and attacking creativity.
He continues to impress as part of a new-look Leicester squad being moulded by head coach Steve Borthwick, and it would be no surprise to see him included in England boss Eddie Jones’ autumn international plans.
"I know international rugby is very different to club rugby and they say ‘you can’t play like that in international rugby’. Why not? Why can’t you?"
– A fan of the World 12s concept, Danny Care sticks the boot in on limited Test XV playing styles https://t.co/9SucnUr7vh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 10, 2021
ALFIE BARBEARY (Wasps)
If Lady Luck had been on his side, then the chances are that 20-year-old Barbeary would have started this season with Wasps as an England international. But the injury fates conspired against him, so much so that he has played only a fraction of the rugby this year that he would have hoped for. The catalogue of woe began with calf and hamstring problems, then he suffered a fractured cheek and eye socket during club training.
The dynamic back-row forward, who scored three tries on his full club debut a year ago, had targeted making an early impact during Wasps’ domestic campaign and once again showcase the quality that has already made so many sit up and take notice. However, that plan is currently on hold following a hamstring tear during a pre-season match warm-up that will sideline him for at least two months.
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JOE SIMMONDS (Exeter)
Exeter fly-half Simmonds might only be 24, but he has already captained the Chiefs to Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership rugby title successes. Such are Exeter’s standards, though, that they will more readily reflect on a trophy-less campaign last season that saw them make a European Cup quarter-final exit and suffer an agonising loss in the Premiership final against Harlequins.
Simmonds, whose older brother Sam set a new Premiership try-scoring record last term and gained British and Irish Lions squad selection, is pivotal to a consistently performing Exeter team. Expect a big season from him.
ADAM RADWAN (Newcastle)
If raw pace terrifies opposition defences, then Newcastle wing Radwan has to be among the Premiership’s most frightening figures. One of the league’s most potent attacking forces, he transferred that reputation onto the international stage this summer as the 23-year-old marked his England debut by scoring three tries against Canada at Twickenham.
His Newcastle strike rate has seen him amass 36 tries from just 46 appearances, and he promises to be a major player in the Falcons’ attempt to make an impact on this season’s Premiership.
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It's been an incredibly busy off-season in England and here is the exhaustive list of ins and out at all 13 clubs for the new 2021/22 Premiership campaign https://t.co/GO20PpllQu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 8, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets 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?
11 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.
11 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.
17 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?
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