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Six Nations - Players to Watch

The Six Nations has lost some legendary figures in recent years, with tournament stalwarts including Alun Wyn Jones, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell stepping away and handing over the baton to a younger generation of rugby union stars.

France's Nolann Le Garrec and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of England were two players to stick their hand up in 2024, with this talented duo becoming recognised as forces to be reckoned with on one of the biggest stages in world rugby.

Ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, we take a look at which tournament debutants could be primed to shine and take their career to the next level.

Rugby Union

Pierre-Louis Barassi (France)

One potential Six Nations debutant in 2025 is France's Pierre-Louis Barassi, with the 26-year-old having had to demonstrate admirable resilience to find himself back in international contention.

First capped by Les Bleus in 2019 aged 21, and receiving two further solitary caps in 2020 and 2021, Barassi has since spent a number of years in the international wilderness.

This absence from the France national team could be about to change at the 2025 Six Nations, with midfield injuries opening the door for Barassi to stake a claim for the number 13 jersey.

Now a regular starter for European champions Toulouse alongside France stars including Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, there is no reason why Barassi can't establish himself in Fabien Galthie's national side at the 2025 Six Nations.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland)

Following the retirement of the great Johnny Sexton following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, one of the overriding question marks surrounding the Ireland national rugby union team has concerned the identity of the legendary fly-half's long-term successor.

Munster's Jack Crowley was initially earmarked as the natural choice to fill the hole left by Sexton, but following an impressive impact in the Autumn Internationals, Leinster's Sam Prendergast has emerged as the name on the majority of Irish fans' lips at present.

As one of the most influential positions on the field, on top of the legacy left behind by the legendary Sexton, it is unsurprising that there has been so much debate over who Ireland's starting fly-half ought to be.

Now Leinster's first choice fly-half at club level, 21-year-old Prendergast looks primed to be given the nod and handed Ireland's famous number 10 jersey ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour (England)

One rugby nation that has seemed in need of fresh talent emerging in recent times is England, who have now gone five years without winning the Six Nations

The performances of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso at last year's tournament certainly set tongues wagging, with attention now set to turn towards which other youngsters could help give rise to a new era of rugby success for England.

One young prospect who could fit the bill is 20-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

A key member of England's victorious U20s side at last year's Six Nations, Opoku-Fordjour was handed his senior debut by Steve Borthwick against Japan in the Autumn internationals last year.

Already an important player for Premiership side Sale, Opoku-Fordjour is showing signs of growing into an England regular for years to come with the 2025 Six Nations perhaps set to mark the beginning of a distinguished international career.

Six Nations

Tom Jordan (Scotland)

Becoming renowned in recent years for taking advantage of World Rugby's eligibility rules, picking up foreign-born stars including Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, Gregor Townsend's Scotland may have struck gold again with the capture of Tom Jordan.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Jordan qualifies for Scotland on residency grounds, initially joining Ayrshire Bulls in 2019 before signing for Glasgow Warriors in 2022.

Set to swap Glasgow for Rugby Premiership side Bristol ahead of the 2025/26 season, Jordan impressed for Scotland during their successful Autumn series last year and the versatile back could now emerge as an important figure in Townsend's squad for the 2025 Six Nations.

Matt Gallagher (Italy)

Another team to have welcomed a foreign-born player on board ahead of the 2025 Six Nations is Italy, with Matt Gallagher having declared his allegiance to the Azzurri last year.

Qualifying for a number of rugby nations - England as his place of birth, New Zealand as the son of former All Black John Gallagher and Ireland via his paternal grandmother and grandfather - Gallagher has eventually opted to play for Italy, where his maternal grandmother was born.

The 28-year-old full-back now also plays his club rugby in Italy for Benetton and made his senior international debut for Gonzalo Quesada's side against Samoa last year.

An experienced professional schooled at Saracens and formerly on the books of Bath, the left-footed Gallagher certainly has the pedigree to add quality to an ever improving Italian side.

Dan Edwards (Wales)

One of two uncapped players in Wales manager Warren Gatland's squad for the 2025 Six Nations alongside Scarlets wing Ellis Mee, 21-year-old fly-half Dan Edwards is regarded as a big prospect for his country's future.

Edwards demonstrated his ability to step up in big moments for Ospreys last season, nailing an 80th-minute drop goal to hand his side victory against Ulster in the United Rugby Championship.

After Wales finished bottom of the table in last year's Six Nations, the Dragons will be looking to a new generation of stars including Edwards to spark a revival in fortunes at the 2025 edition of the famous tournament.

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