Five rugby players to watch out for in 2015

With the beginning of a new year comes the chance for young rugby players to force themselves into contention for their respective teams, whether at club or international level.

This year is especially important as it’s a World Cup year, here are the top five youngsters to watch out for.

Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs)
The New South Wales flyer showed last year why the National Rugby Championship can be an important tool to rugby in Australia, as it reinforced Kellaway as one of Australian rugby’s promising young talents.

He was arguably the best player in the competition and topped the try-scoring charts. Although the NSW Country Eagles fell at the semi-finals Kellaway did his burgeoning reputation no harm whatsoever.

Moreover, on the international stage he displayed his talents in the Junior World Championships last summer in New Zealand, scoring 10 tries in the tournament that included four against Samoa. His performances in the NRC mean Kellaway will be keenly watched in Super Rugby when debuting for the Waratahs this season.

Competition for places among the wings will be fierce but that won’t deter him. 2015 could be a real watershed year that could open several doors for the youngster.

Yacouba Camara (Toulouse)
The Toulouse flanker is considered an excellent prospect for the future – even seen as a possible heir to Thierry Dusautoir. The 20-year-old has put in some good performances since making his debut for Toulouse last season. An imposing figure at over 100 kilograms he shows good speed for a player who is 6’4″.

Such were his performances in the Top 14 that he was called up to France’s squad for the end of year Tests. Though he did not play any matches the fact he was called up shows how far he has come. With hardened flankers such as Dusautoir and Yannick Nyanga at Toulouse giving him experience, Camara looks to enjoy an excellent 2015 with an eye on reaching France’s World Cup squad come the summer.

George Ford (Bath)
Since moving from the Leicester Tigers to Bath in the summer of 2013 the 21-year-old has put in a string of impressive performances for the West Country outfit. At times his playmaking and orchestration of the backline has been nothing short of stellar. He is at the forefront of Bath’s attempt to win the premiership and they currently reside in second, with Ford playing excellent rugby at the head of a dominant forward pack.

Ford certainly caught the eye of England head coach Stuart Lancaster and made his debut in last year’s Six Nations from the bench. However, it was during this year’s autumn internationals where talk started to grow whether he should replace Owen Farrell as England’s starting fly half.

While Farrell is an excellent goalkicker Ford can offer a bit more in his playmaking. However, 2015 can be the year where Ford can stake his claim to lead England in the World Cup as their primary fly half.

Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
The younger brother of Richie Gray, who is at French club Castres, Jonny has certainly followed in his brother’s footsteps at Glasgow. Under the excellent head coach Gregor Townsend the young lock has made great strides since signing a three-year contract with the Warriors 18 months ago. He has been part of an excellent Glasgow side, which has performed brilliantly in the Pro 12, as well as the European Rugby Champions Cup.

At 115 kilograms the lock is a force to be reckoned with when carrying the ball and his performances have warranted his call-up to the Scotland national squad. His debut was certainly one to remember, as he played alongside his big brother Richie and both scored tries in an impressive victory against Argentina in November.

The 21-year-old will aim to cement his place in the squad in the Six Nations next month but there’s no doubt he is certainly one of Scottish rugby’s brightest prospects.

Patricio Fernandez (Clermont Auvergne)
Whenever Argentina gives debuts to young talents from their youth systems they tend to be mainly forwards, whether it be props, locks or in the back row. Players from the backs have tended to come through at a trickle, such as Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero.

However, this year could change that, as the Pumas could finally a give a call-up to Patricio Fernandez. The 20-year-old has been a star of their Under-20 side (the Pumitas) for the last two years. So much so that he is the world record points scorer in the Junior World Championship.

Versatile in terms of playing at either 10 or 15 Fernandez loves to run with the ball and showed it to great effect in the last two Junior World Championships. Top 14 giants Clemont Auvergne did well to snap up his signature in November. Playing in a big league such as the Top 14 and experiencing European rugby will improve his game. If called up by Pumas head coach Daniel Hourcade then Fernandez could be a real wildcard in this year’s Rugby Championship but also the World Cup.

And a wildcard is always a dangerous tool for a side to have.