Pro 12: Players to watch out for: Part 3 - Irish Provinces

Part 1 - Welsh regions
Part 2 - Italy / Scottish Clubs
Part 3 - Irish Provinces

Like Wales, Ireland have a number of promising youngsters coming through the ranks, however, unlike Wales, the opportunities for these players may not be as abundant because most of the Irish stars still play for their province.

There are a few promising players coming through who will need a big season this year if they are to fulfill their huge potential. I tried to avoid picking someone with a huge amount of talent that happened to have a lot of competition ahead of him, as I thought his chances might be more limited than someone who needs a big season if he is to convince the coaches and fans that he's the real deal.

Connacht
Back - Matt Healy

This was possibly the hardest choice of all. Tiernan O'Hallorhan hasn't hit the heights that I expected of him since watching him express at under 20s at the same time as the likes of Andrew Conway, Simon Zebo and Darren Hudson. And Shane Layden was fantastic for the 20s a year ago.

But I've decided to go for Matt Healy, a former underage scrumhalf, now 26, this is Healy's second season at Connacht, and he's already tripled the amount of appearances he's had for them this season. What's more, he's impressed hugely in those two games scoring two scorching tries. A big season for him and he could be assured of a career in the professional ranks,

Forward - Denis Buckley

There were also a few contenders for this spot, but with the additions of Craig Clarke and Aly Muldowney, the prospect of Mick Kearney getting more gametime seemed minimal. However, 23 year old prop Denis Buckley will be looking to add to his 27 caps from the last two seasons, and cement his place in the Connacht first team. Once he gets a consistent run of games and exposure to the Heineken Cup, there's no reason why he shouldn't be involved in future Ireland squads.

Leinster
Back - Brendan Macken

Similar to the backs in Connacht, this was a tough choice. I was extremely tempted to pluck for Luke McGrath, but at 4th choice, and given that he's only 20, he still has a year of development left. However, with Brian O'Driscoll retiring in a year, with the unfortunate injury enforced retirement of Eoin O'Malley, Brendan Macken needs a strong year to show Matt O'Connor that he can be the province's outside centre for years to come, especially with a lack of alternatives in the squad and in the academy, with other options Adam Byrne and Fergus McFadden perhaps more suited to other positions.

Forward - Martin Moore

He's had a strong start to the season, and is perhaps benefitting the most from the departure of Jamie Hagan, and the apparent injury to Michael Bent. From his early season form, Moore is beginning to fulfill some of the promise that has been apparent from an early age, and Bent looks to be in difficulty to regain his spot. More competition from Irish tightheads is always a good thing, and the whole of the country will be interested at Moore's progression this year.

Munster
Back - JJ Hanrahan

There were other contenders, like Ronan O'Mahony, Luke O'Dea, Andrew Conway and Ivan Dineen. But really, with Ronan O'Gara gone, the former JWC player of the year finalist was the only option. Many people's choice for a future long term outhalf. It's surprising that last season he wasn't given many chances, but he seems like he's set to challenge Keatley for a place in the starting XV, and has the skills and ability to play at 12 too. A fantastic prospect, and like Moore, many will be watching his progress with interest. Hopefully will be in Schmidt's plans by the summer tour.

Forward - Stephen Archer

A last minute change of mind, I had Paddy Butler in here until the last moment, but Ireland's current tighthead issues, any tighthead of any note will be scrutinised. John Ryan will be breathing down Archer's neck, so Archer needs to take advantage of any opportunity he gets, especially while Botha is out injured at the moment.


Ulster
Back - Chris Farrell

One of the easier choices, If you've been listening to any Ulster supported in the last two years, you'll know that this guy is something special. More has been said about Chris Farrell than any other prospect that's come through in the last while, more than Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Stuart Olding or Craig Gilroy.

Read more here

Forward - Niall Annett

I've been an admirer of Niall Annett for a long time. Ever since he was one of the star performers for the 20s as captain a number of years ago. Whenever he has played for Ulster, his throwing has been exemplary and his scrummaging has always been impressive. This doesn't even take into account the work he gets through and the amount of ball he carries. It's mystifying to me why he isn't the second choice up there, but hopefully he will be come the end of the year, because everything I've seen about him so far screams long term international.

Pro 12: Players to watch out for: Part 2 - Scottish / Italian Clubs

Part 1 - Welsh regions
Part 2 - Italy / Scottish Clubs
Part 3 - Irish Provinces

Treviso
Back - Angelo Esposito (winger)

Angelo Esposito is a 20 year old exciting talent. Already involved in Italian national squads, it won't be long until his speed excites fans and gives Treviso another boost up the table.

Forward - Giovanni Maistri (hooker)

A former captain of Italy's JWC squad in 2012, Maistri will be looking to build on the 12 appearances he achieved last season, with two in the Heineken Cup. The 21 year old hooker has already started the season well, with one start under his belt already.


Zebre
Back - Leonardo Sarto (wing)

Another 21 year old perhaps already familiar with fans is Leonardo Sarto. After a decent season for Zebre last year, Sarto was capped on their tour to South Africa. Sarto's underage try scoring record was good, with 2 tries in 3 JWC games, and 4 tries in 8 under 20 games overall over two years. He also demonstrated his defensive awareness with this try saver last season.

Forward - Andrea Manici (hooker)

Manici was an explosive carrying machine against Munster last weekend. The 23 year old has already been capped by Italy, and will be back up to Ghiraldini for the national side. A strong runner with a touch of pace, Manici will challenge Ghiraldini and could be part of the Italian front row for years to come.


Glasgow
Back - Mark Bennett (centre)

Mark Bennett is the player I'm most looking forward to watching this season. At just 20 years of age, Bennett already has the likes of Clermont Auvergne on his CV. A versatile back, his pace, strength and running lines make him the most exciting thing to come out of Scotland since deep fried Mars Bars. Not only should Bennett make the Scottish side this November, but I'm backing him, injury barring, to be on the Lions squad in 4 years.

Forward - Jonny Gray (lock)

Brother to Lion Richie, Richie himself once warned that his younger brother Jonny was the one to watch. Jonny captained the Scottish Under 20s in the JWC last year, and already has two appearances this season, with one start. He will be battling with Tim Swinson and Ali Kellock for a place in the Glasgow side, with Gregor Townsend not afraid to give youth a chance, Gray has a big season ahead of him.

Edinburgh

Back - Jamie Farndale (wing)

Scottish Rugby has been waiting years for a talented outside back to come through the ranks, and all of a sudden Farndale looks like being the third in a short space of time after Bennett and Hogg. A big, strong and pacey winger in the mould of George North. Farndale also has great timing for joining the line, looks defensively sound, and isn't afraid to throw in an offload, or kick in behind. Only a matter of time before he leapfrogs Tim Visser or Sean Maitland into the Scottish side.

Such is Farndale's ability that he finished top scorer in JWC 2012, despite Scotland's poor showing. He has a lot of competition for places in Edinburgh with Visser, Cuthbert, Jones, Walker and Brown, but has time on his side, and he will be eligible for a third JWC next summer. Whether he'll be there or higher up in the Scottish ranks will depend on this season.

Forward - Grant Gilchrist (lock)

The 23 year old second row is a former recipient of the McPhail scholarship award where players spend a year in the renowned Canterbury academy in New Zealand, Gilchrist came back and made an immediate breakthrough making almost 50 appearances last season. Such was his form last year that Gilchrist made his debut in the 2013 6 Nations, and this year Gilchrist will be hoping to be involved again this year with even more competition in the second row

Pro 12: Players to watch out for: Part 1 - Welsh Regions

Part 1 - Welsh regions
Part 2 - Italy / Scottish Clubs
Part 3 - Irish Provinces

There is an abundance of talent coming through in the Pro 12, and despite Rabodirect pulling out, and the confusion that reigns over the Heineken Cup, this league is going from strength to strength.

One country that is worth keeping an eye out for is Wales, who despite losing players like Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate and Mike Philips from the regions, have a number of fantastic prospects fresh from the JWC final to come straight in and get an opportunity.

I've picked a back and a forward from each team in the Pro 12, who look like they are going to have a big season, and I'll be monitoring these players throughout the season.

Cardiff Blues:
Back: Rhys Patchell (outhalf)

There was a lot of competition, with Cory Allen, Owen Williams, Harry Robinson and Tom Williams all featuring heavily, but at outhalf, Rhys Patchell looks set to first make the Blues position his own, and then challenge strongly for the Welsh team. At just 20 years old, Patchell is exciting a lot of Welsh fans, and he could be the solution to the "problem" outhalf position for Wales for many years to come. He's started the season strongly, and almost single handedly beat Connacht last weekend.

Forward: Ellis Jenkins (openside)

It's a big season for the captain of that impressive Welsh Under 20s side, Jenkins will look to get as much game time as possible as Sam Warburton eases back from Lions duty. Cardiff seem to favour older more experienced forwards, but Jenkins is by a distance the most exciting young forward in their ranks, and if last year's JWC is anything to go by, Sam Warburton will have another challenger for the openside berth.

Neath and Swansea Ospreys:

Back: Matthew Morgan (outhalf)

While the Ospreys may possess the current JWC player of the year in Sam Davies in their ranks, their is one other outhalf that is a year further down the development ranks and has been afforded more opportunities to showcase his talents. Matthew Morgan, now 21, has a big season ahead of him if he is to remain as the back up to Dan Biggar before Davies gets his chance.

Morgan is a naturally talented runner with the ball, known for making great line breaks, but has been learning how to control and dictate play from the outhalf position for the last few seasons.

Forward: Tyler Ardron (blindside)

Tyler Ardron is a new signing in Swansea, with the 22 year old already one of the youngest captains of a Canadian senior team. Ardron is a player that walesonline seem most excited about. He was an unused subsititute against Leinster, and looks like he will be eased into action.

Llanelli Scarlets

Back: Steve Shingler (inside centre)

The player that caused so much controversy when Scotland attempted to select him for the 2012 Six Nations, despite Wales claiming that he had already played for their designated second team. Given Shingler's strong start to the season, it might be the year whether we find out whether he was worth the fuss, or whether this was a perfect of example of highlighting the rules to rugby fans. Only time will tell.

Forward: Rhodri Jones (prop)

Already a Welsh international at 21 years of age, Jones made his Welsh debut against the Barbarians in 2012, and toured with the Welsh side to Australia that summer. Having made 64 appearances for Scarlets, Jones looks to have a battle on his hands to cement his place in the Scarlets XV, but time is on his side.

Newport Gwent Dragons

Back: Jack Dixon (inside centre)

18 year old Jack Dixon made a big impression at this year's JWC, and is likely to be one of Wales's key players next year. Having started both of the Dragon's games this season, the 6'2'' centre looks like he is set to build on last season's breakout year. Big hard and quick, Dixon will be hard to miss this season.

Forward: Ieuan Jones

After last season's breakthrough, Jones will be looking to cement his place in the Dragons back row alongside Toby Faletau. Jones will be hoping that the lose of loss of Dan Lydiate means he is given more gametime to further impress.