• Rugby World Cup 2019: Five breakthrough talents to watch in Japan

    Ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, we look at five young players capable of making their mark on the international stage.
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    The Rugby World Cup is the greatest stage in the sport and offers an incredible chance for players to make a name for themselves.

    Hosts Japan and Russia will get the action underway on Friday and 24 hours later spectators will have also been treated to Australia v Fiji, France v Argentina and New Zealand v South Africa.

    It promises to be a hugely entertaining tournament and we have taken a look at the young talents set to light up the competition.

     

    Sevu Reece (22, New Zealand)

    He only made his Crusaders debut as an injury replacement against the Chiefs in March, but Reece has already established himself as one of the most exciting wings in the world.

    Reece’s incredible pace and clinical finishing saw him top the Super Rugby try-scoring charts with 15 as the Crusaders won the title for the third straight year and he has touched down twice in his three appearances for the All Blacks.

    Tom Curry (21, England)

    Eddie Jones has long been an admirer of flanker Curry, making him the youngest player to start for England in 90 years during the tour to Argentina in 2017.

    That came at the end of his breakthrough season at Sale Sharks and the back-rower has gone from strength to strength, starting all of England’s Six Nations matches this year.

    Romain Ntamack (20, France)

    Ntamack can play at inside centre of fly-half and comes from good stock: his father Emile won 46 caps for France and was part of the side that won the Five Nations Grand Slam in 1997 and reached the World Cup final two years later.

    But Romain has proved himself a promising player in his own right, winning the Six Nations and World Cup at Under-20 level in 2018 and helping Toulouse end a seven-year wait for Top 14 success last season.

    Herschel Jantjies (23, South Africa)

    Stormers scrum-half Jantjies wasted no time in making his mark for the Springboks, scoring a debut double against Australia in July.

    Jantjies then touched down in the 80th minute to help earn a 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in his second cap – a result that proved crucial to South Africa winning the Rugby Championship for the first time in 10 years.

    Rhys Carre (21, Wales)

    The 6ft 3in, 20-stone prop was included in Warren Gatland’s squad for Japan having only made his international debut against Ireland on August 31.

    Towering front-rower Carre was in April snapped up by Premiership champions Saracens and will likely have a big impact in the breakdown, set-piece and when carrying the ball.

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