#3. Joe Simmonds
- Age: 25
- Club: Exeter Chiefs
- Position: Fly-half
- Current caps: 0
The Rugby Paper: “The 23-year-old Exeter fly-half has learned his trade next to Gareth Steenson, and has proved over the last two seasons that he has an all-court game. The same can be said for his two marginally younger rivals, Jacob Umaga (Wasps) and Marcus Smith (Harlequins), but playing for the Chiefs means that Simmonds has more big match experience – including acquitting himself well opposite Owen Farrell in last season’s Premiership final.”
Where is he now? Also still with Exeter, and is beginning to recapture his best form after captaining the Chiefs to Premiership and European Cup glory
#5. Alfie Barbeary (at hooker)
- Age: 22
- Club: Free agent
- Position: Flanker, Number 8
- Current caps: 0
Rugby Pass: “Odds are this will still be Jamie George’s jersey in three years’ time, though if Barbeary takes to senior rugby the way that he is capable of, his rise could be meteoric. Injuries have thus far made it a frustrating debut professional campaign for the young hooker, and we are yet to see him get a run of games at the senior level.”
Where is he now? Ruled out until 2023 and is without a club following Wasps collapse.
