MIKE BROWN: From Bath’s a jackal threat Miles Reid to Faf de Klerk’s scrum half prodigy Raffi Quirke – my FIVE English stars to watch out for
- There are several lower profile players starting to make names for themselves
- Newcastle’s Adam Radwan would benefit hugely from the England environment
- Faf de Klerk’s scrum half prodigy Raffi Quirke is now starting to turn heads
- Will Capon at Bristol runs sharp support lines and has an eye for an offload
English rugby is blessed with a depth of talent coming through at the moment, and slowly but surely several starlets are beginning to make a name for themselves.
England need to find another winger who can play the physical role of Jack Nowell – someone who can step off their wing and get stuck in around the breakdown.
Likewise, with Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie both away with the Lions, there’s a big opportunity for a young hooker to come through.
So, with this is mind, here are some of the stars who rugby fans really ought to be keeping a watchful eye on.
Freddie Steward
Age 20, full-back, Leicester
Nobody has come in and really grabbed the 15 shirt. He has the attributes of an old school full-back: high ball, one-on-one tackling, counter attack and a good boot.
You need those fundamentals at Test level. He’s a big lump and he reminds me of All Black Jordie Barrett.
Tom de Glanville should also be in the mix but Steward is the man in form.
Leicester’s Freddie Steward has the attributes of an old school full-back
Adam Radwan
Age 23, wing, Newcastle
England need to find another winger who can play the physical role of Jack Nowell. Someone who can step off their wing and get stuck in around the breakdown.
Radwan and London Irish’s Ollie Hassell-Collins are both guys with the right physical attributes.
They may be a little bit raw in terms of reading the game and backfield coverage, but I think they would benefit hugely from the England environment. I’m really excited to work with Adam at Newcastle.
Adam Radwan is a winger who can play the physical role of Jack Nowell this summer
Raffi Quirke
Age 19, scrum half, Sale Sharks
I had never heard of this kid until a few months ago but he’s been on fire. He’s only 19 but he’s clearly learning so much from working underneath Faf de Klerk.
For a scrum half, he looks incredibly strong and tough. He is similar to Faf, but with a bigger frame.
He’s a livewire around the ruck, a bit like Danny Care, and makes breaks every time he plays.
Raffi Quirke is clearly learning so much from working underneath the great Faf de Klerk
Will Capon
Age 21, hooker, Bristol Bears
With Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie both away with the Lions, there’s a big opportunity for a young hooker.
Alfie Barbeary was showing X-factor with his carrying before Christmas, but he’s had a few injuries and Capon has kicked on.
His lineout basics look strong, he runs sharp support lines and has an eye for an offload.
Miles Reid
Age 22, back row, Bath
He’s a jackal threat, a ball carrier and he works unbelievably hard. They send him up in the lineout, so he looks like a real all-round back-row forward.
I read his interview in the Daily Mail and he seems like a rounded character.
Miles Reid has impressed at Bath and is a good ball carrier who works extremely hard