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Every year, the Six Nations Tournament delivers some of the most intense and storied clashes in world rugby.
In 2025, the competition promises to be no different, with each team boasting a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars eager to leave their mark on Europe’s biggest stage.
While familiar names will inevitably dominate headlines, a new cohort of rising talents could shape this year’s championship in surprising ways.
Here’s a look at six players—one from each nation—who have been grabbing attention at the club level and seem primed to influence the outcome of the 2025 Six Nations.
#1. England – Tom Willis (Number 8)
Tom Willis has seized the spotlight this season at Saracens, especially after Billy Vunipola’s departure.
Through both the Gallagher Premiership and the Investec Champions Cup, he’s averaged 20 tackles and 14 carries per match since December—numbers that highlight his extraordinary work rate.
In that same window, he’s also tallied 5 turnovers and scored 3 tries, illustrating his knack for capitalizing on opposition errors.
Saracens’ Director of Rugby, Mark McCall, praised Willis’s commitment, noting that his carry power and ruck speed are among the best in the league following on Sarcens 27-5 victory over the Bulls on 7th December:
“He’s fitter than he’s ever been. If you look at his tackle count, carry count, ruck count every week, it’s as big as anybody’s in the Premiership. And I know Steve [Borthwick] likes that. Against a really physical team, he still had the carry power and looked after the fast ball we needed.”
Steve Borthwick will undoubtedly rely on this relentless physicality as England seeks to dominate the gain line and maintain a high tempo in their Six Nations campaign. If Willis continues to post these kinds of stats, expect him to be central to any success England has in this year’s tournament.
#2. Ireland – Sam Prendergast (Fly-Half)
Sam Prendergast has made a seamless transition from Leinster prospect to genuine international contender. Across the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures, he’s maintained an 89% success rate off the tee, accumulating 115 points in just nine appearances.
His senior international debut against Argentina showcased his composure under pressure, sparking comparisons to Johnny Sexton, and he followed up with 11 points in Leinster’s tight victory over La Rochelle.
Even Ronan O’Gara, initially skeptical, admitted Prendergast’s ability to handle big-match atmospheres:
“He is an impressive young player, that’s for certain. I initially thought there was unnecessary buzz around him, but after watching him in Bristol, he merits every bit of it.”
With the British & Irish Lions squad announcement due in April, the young fly-half could force his way in if he continues to rack up these impressive numbers.
His vision, risk-taking style, and proven consistency off the boot make him a prime candidate for stardom.
Check out this class act performance from Prendergast below – he will certainly be one to watch as Ireland take to the 2025 Six Nations.
#3. Wales – Dan Edwards (fly half)
At just 21, Dan Edwards has already become the cornerstone of Warren Gatland’s plans. He is the only specialist fly-half in Wales’s Six Nations squad and has been averaging 14 points per match for the Ospreys this season.
In a dramatic 13–13 draw with Cardiff on January 1, 2025—where the Ospreys spent significant time down to 14 men—Edwards scored all of his side’s 13 points, demonstrating an exceptional ability to keep his team in the game under intense pressure.
His 85% success rate from the kicking tee, coupled with his calm distribution, suggests that Gatland’s faith in him is well placed.
Wales has long sought depth at fly-half, and Edwards could be the long-term solution if he continues to deliver these standout performances when it matters most.
#4. France – Noah Nene (Centre)
Standing 6ft 4 and weighing 103kg, Noah Nene is an exciting young talent in French rugby, already grabbing headlines in the 2024/25 season.
Since making his Top 14 debut for Stade Français on December 30, 2024, and subsequently joining US Dax in Pro D2 on loan, he has averaged 88 carry meters per match and beaten 9 defenders across his first three appearances.
Nene burst onto the international scene with the France U20s last year, and his early stats in Pro D2 are turning heads among the senior staff.
With a place in France’s Six Nations squad at stake, the young centre’s imposing physicality, combined with solid defensive work (he’s averaged 11 tackles per match with a near-90% completion rate), makes him a potential disruptive force in the French midfield.
#5. Scotland – Fergus Burke (Fly Half/ Full Back)
Fergus Burke’s move from the Crusaders to Saracens in the summer of 2024 has paid immediate dividends. His 51 Premiership points and 5 tries to date underscore his attacking threat, while his ability to step in at both fly-half and full-back lends Gregor Townsend critical flexibility.
In the Investec Champions Cup, Burke has already added 20 points to his tally, including a late, match-sealing penalty in a hard-fought victory over Toulouse.
His clean break ratio stands among the highest for Premiership backs, a testament to his southern hemisphere pedigree. Scotland has never been short on flair, but Burke’s multi-faceted skill set and poise in high-pressure scenarios offer something new to Townsend’s squad.
Expect him to slot in fluidly wherever he’s needed in the backline.
#6. Italy – Tommaso Menoncello (Centre)
In the 2024 Six Nations, Tommaso Menoncello made history by becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship award.
His overall statistics during that tournament—including 303 carry meters, 8 dominant tackles, and 4 turnovers—solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s most complete young backs.
Menoncello has since maintained that high level of form, amassing 262 carry meters and 3 tries for Benetton Rugby in their European campaign.
During the Autumn Nations Series, he grabbed a highlight-reel try against the All Blacks—voted “Try of the Week”—showing a flair for the spectacular.
With Italy striving to keep pace in an increasingly competitive Six Nations, Menoncello’s dynamic running lines and knack for defensive disruption will remain crucial.
Predictions:
While forecasts always spark debate, three early matchups stand out in particular.
France’s power and depth should outmuscle Wales, while Scotland—thanks in part to Fergus Burke’s reliable boot—might edge out an improving Italy.
Ireland, meanwhile, could well find a way past England if Sam Prendergast continues his current trajectory and orchestrates the game effectively.
Our Verdict?
- France to beat Wales
- Scotland to beat Italy
- Ireland to beat England
Final Thoughts
This year’s Six Nations will hinge on whether these emerging talents can maintain their club-level performance on rugby’s most storied stage.
Tom Willis’s bruising carries, Sam Prendergast’s assured game management, and Dan Edwards’s clutch kicking are just a few elements that will shape the championship’s narrative.
As these young stars continue to rack up impressive stats, be prepared for some sensational storylines in the weeks to come.