15 Most Exciting Players to Watch in the Aviva Premiership Next Season

With less than a month until another season of Aviva Premiership action makes its way back into the English calendar, fans nationwide can officially begin their campaign countdowns.

As ever, the competition will set the stage for some of the world’s biggest talents, more than a few of whom are coming off the back of a successful British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

While it’s only natural that most of the division’s premier stars are of English descent, there’s other Britons—and even a few southern hemisphere names—to have made the list.

Whether it’s because of the promise they hold at such a young age, or, perhaps, the momentum they’ve enjoyed of late, the following 15 players will be an exciting batch to watch in the coming season.

1. Billy Vunipola

Club: Saracens

Position: No. 8

Age: 20

Having joined Saracens from London Wasps earlier this year, Billy Vunipola will team up with elder sibling Mako this season in an attempt to show some brotherly love to the rest of England’s top division.

At the tender age of 20, Vunipola was selected as part of the England squad that travelled to Argentina this summer, where he continued to impress the same peers who had presumably been watching his youth development.

The youngster’s biggest feat of the trip came in a friendly fixture against a Consur XV, where Vunipola managed to score three tries in just six minutes.

Continuing the rising trend of southern hemisphere-born players coming north of the equator in time for a professional career, Vunipola will look to maintain his progress this season and make a starting spot at Allianz Park his own.

2. Alex Corbisiero

Club: Northampton Saints

Position: Loosehead Prop

Age: 24

While the Lions set out for their tour of Australia earlier this year, Alex Corbisiero was preparing for his journey to South America, having missed out on a place in Warren Gatland’s squad.

However, an injury to Cian Healy in the opening stages of the series meant that Corbisiero did indeed get his chance against the Wallabies, although his presence still wasn’t expected to mean much to the side.

However, in a time where the Lions were flailing at the set-piece, it was the Northampton Saint who brought some stability to the Lions’ scrum.

Months later, the world’s perception of the forward has changed massively, a factor which won’t have done any harm to the New York-born prop.

With that fire now in his belly, Corbisiero will be as determined as any to prove that his progress doesn’t end there, and a standout season may well follow as a result.

3. Jack Nowell

Club: Exeter Chiefs

Position: Full-back

Age: 20

One of several starlets recently added to Stuart Lancaster’s Saxons, Jack Nowell’s superb form with Exeter last season appears to have been enough to earn the 20-year-old a shot at international recognition.

Though it’s not the elite player squad just yet, featuring as part of the second string will give the youngster a huge boost in confidence ahead of the new term.

For Nowell, it’s simply a case of maintaining the trajectory he’s currently enjoying and not attempting that which might be outside his limits, although even that’s far easier said than done.

In June, Nowell was a highlight in the England Under-20s side that won the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship, featuring well from full-back and scoring a laudable try in the tournament’s final.

Able to come onto the wing when needed, the Cornish-born utility has bags of pace in his locker and will undoubtedly find himself pinned as the main focus in many a Chiefs move.

4. Anthony Watson

Club: Bath Rugby

Position: Wing/Full-back

Age: 19

The youngest player ever to don a London Irish jersey in a competitive outing, last season saw Anthony Watson make his first real strides as a senior club player.

Although his involvement was still limited in Berkshire, the 19-year-old Exiles academy product will now look to continue his development with Bath, having agreed to a summer move.

Like Nowell, Watson was a successful cog in the England Under-20s side that won the 2013 Junior World Championship, but could only manage the one try in the competition.

Equipped with a sinister sidestep and plenty of speed to boot, the 6’2” winger should get more of a crack at the whip with Bath, setting the stage for Watson to entertain.

5. George North

Club: Northampton Saints

Position: Wing

Age: 21

Undoubtedly a contender for the Premiership’s most exciting acquisition this summer, George North’s switch over the Welsh border to Northampton is an exciting one for the English top flight.

In keeping with the sorry state which currently surrounds the Welsh regions and their inability to hold onto their top stars, North is but one of the latest in a long line of Wales internationals to jump ship.

That being said, Saints fans can be over the moon that it was their side that eventually won the race for North’s services.

One of the many Welsh players to have won this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour in Australia, North was unsurprisingly impressive off the wing and even showed his value in the centres when Jamie Roberts picked up an injury.

At just 21 years of age, North is somewhat of a genetic freak, and while Scarlets may be kicking themselves at having to lose his talents, his move is a very, very promising one for the Aviva Premiership.

6. Vereniki Goneva

Club: Leicester Tigers

Position: Wing

Age: 29

One of only a few Pacific Islanders on this rundown, Vereniki Goneva’s debut season in England was slightly blighted by injury, allowing the 29-year-old to feature in just 11 league matches.

However, the utility back still managed to boast a ratio of near enough a try every other game in that space of time—most importantly returning to have a major hand in Leicester’s Premiership final win over Northampton.

It was in that particular match that Goneva displayed his terrific ability not to just break tackles with relative ease, but to also provide his teammates with a staunch platform to attack from.

A very common trait in players from his part of the world, Goneva will hope to go through the 2013-14 campaign with a clean bill of health, perhaps even going as far to better his already impressive scoring average.

7. Marland Yarde

Club: London Irish

Position: Wing

Age: 21

Looking exclusively at the player’s senior international career, Marland Yarde can currently brag about an average of two tries per England appearance.

Of course, he has only the one cap to his name so far, but a brace on debut is nonetheless impressive from the 21-year-old winger.

One of those youngsters included for this summer’s tour of Argentina, it was there that Yarde collected his first minutes as a fully fledged England senior star, living up to expectations in South America.

As further reward, the London Irish talent has now been made a part of Stuart Lancaster’s elite player squad, which was announced at the beginning of the month.

Although a wide player, Yarde consistently shows a dynamic brain, coming in off his wing if the gap is there to be broken and using the strength of a player not too unlike a centre, rather than a winger.

The dreadlock-sporting attacker is one of the most promising backs coming through the English ranks and it goes without saying that pace and power are two of his most trusted allies.

8. Tom Croft

Club: Leicester Tigers

Position: Flanker

Age: 27

According to the specialist who worked on Tom Croft’s neck after suffering a triple fracture of the vertebra, per the Daily Mail’s Sam Peters, the Leicester Tiger was lucky to come away with his life, never mind walk again.

So, it’s all the more incredible that the back-rower should not only resume his playing career, but receive a call-up to Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad before proceeding to win the series against Australia.

In short, the 27-year-old has defied the odds inexplicably in the last year.

Given how disrupted last season was as well as seasons before that, there’s a buzz of excitement around Croft’s upcoming campaign which, as long as he stays fit, could be his finest yet.

Hoping to defend the Tigers’ Premiership title, the two-tour Lion will now seek to embrace his role as one of the club’s leading figures.

A potent force in attack, tough at the breakdown and ever tracking back in defence, Croft’s multi-faceted input and pure natural ability will be of massive use to Richard Cockerill’s squad in the coming months.

9. Kyle Eastmond

Club: Bath Rugby

Position: Centre

Age: 24

Kyle Eastmond’s rise through the English ranks has been a swift one, only making his first moves with the Saxons earlier this year before then starring in the senior squad’s tour to Argentina.

The former rugby league utility made the choice to switch codes in 2011 and now calls rugby union his home, an environment he has so far proven to thrive in.

Having already established a strong partnership with the likes of Matt Banahan and Nick Abendanon, Jonathan Joseph will be the next key to the puzzle of the Bath backs, not to mention the question as to just how Gavin Henson will work out in Somerset.

In truth, much of Eastmond’s individual success may depend on how those around him are able to perform.

Shorter than your average centre, a low centre of gravity is frequently Eastmond’s greatest ally, and his propensity for a powerful line break promises to do the club a lot of good.

10. Akapusi Qera

Club: Gloucester

Position: Back Row

Age: 29

Shortlisted for 2012-13, Aviva Premiership Player of the Season Akapusi Qera’s last outing in Gloucester colours was arguably his finest yet.

The 29-year-old Fijian stood out as one of the Cherry and Whites’ most consistent performers throughout the campaign, making 29 appearances for the club.

Once again showcasing his nose for the whitewash, Qera crossed over for a hatful of tries and helped lead his team to Heineken Cup rugby.

Serving at Gloucester since 2007, Qera remains a loyal servant to the side’s cause, and the flanker’s graft at the breakdown and in the tackle will undoubtedly stand out once more in the impending trials.

11. Ben Morgan

Club: Gloucester

Position: No. 8

Age: 24

Having completed a dream move to boyhood club Gloucester last year, the 2013-14 season is assured to see Ben Morgan continue his ascendancy as an elite No. 8.

Having been utilised here and there over the course of this year’s Six Nations, the England international displayed a certain knack for picking from the back of the scrum before exacting his talents on the opposition defence. However, his progress tailed off slightly toward the end of the term, and while there were whispers of a Lions' call-up, it was a stretch too far for Morgan in the end.

That being said, at just 24 years of age, the back-rower is still very much in his development as a player and can only hope to enjoy a similar bump in growth this season, once again teaming up with a very capable Gloucester lineup.

A season involving not just Premiership, but Heineken Cup action also, might take its toll on Morgan in the end, but such is the examination any elite player must face.

Standing at 6’3” and weighing over 18 stone, suffice it to say, physicality is a big part of the Englishman’s game, and one can expect those carrying statistics to be on the rise in the next few months.

12. Manu Tuilagi

Club: Leicester Tigers

Position: Centre

Age: 22

As part of the illustrious Tuilagi dynasty, it’s only appropriate that Manu Tuilagi figures into a list of the Premiership’s most exciting players when one considers the family name he’s living up to.

And, at just 22 years of age, living up to the title is precisely what the centre is doing after playing his part in the British and Irish Lions series win over Australia this summer.

In fact, it was Tuilagi who shockingly made the Lions bench instead of Brian O’Driscoll for the third, decisive test against the Wallabies, showing that, perhaps, Gatland was correct to have so much faith in the young back.

However, from one feline to another, as Tuilagi’s mentality must now be centred around all things of a Tiger nature.

The last two seasons have seen Tuilagi experience a meteoric rise through the Leicester and Premiership ranks, and while one might argue the player is somewhat of a one-trick pony, what a trick it is.

Stout, powerful and with some of the strongest acceleration one will find in a player his age, Tuilagi’s tireless work ethic means that a season of boundary breaking lies just around the corner.

13. Mathew Tait

Club: Leicester Tigers

Position: Centre

Age: 27

In current terms, Mathew Tait is far from the most rounded of centres in the Aviva Premiership.

Years ago, as a budding youngster in the England youth ranks, the Newcastle native was looked upon as the future lynchpin of the country’s back line.

However, injuries meant that such a future was postponed, perhaps never to arrive again. Now, at the age of 27 and with a raft of experience under his belt, the centre is once again looking like a shade of the player he was meant to be, and the 2013-14 season will undoubtedly be make-or-break time for Tait.

A risky selection by all means, but the fleet-of-foot Tait has just been recalled to the England Saxons, meaning that the international stage might once again beckon for him, but with a massive “if” still remaining over his fitness.

In contrast to the others included on this list, the excitement surrounding Tait is more in relation to what might be, rather than what is.

14. Kahn Fotuali’l

Club: Northampton Saints

Position: Scrum-Half

Age: 31

In his first season as an Aviva Premiership player, Kahn Fotuali’l is another coup brought in by Northampton Saints this summer and one who’s set to have a big impact at Franklin’s Gardens.

Since moving from Crusaders in 2011, the Samoan scrum-half has looked mightily strong in the northern hemisphere, helping the Ospreys to stay afloat during what’s been a very rough time for the Welsh territory.

With the likes of Ben Foden, George North, George Pisi and Stephen Myler in his back line, Fotuali’l is surrounded by grade-A talent in his new black, green and gold surroundings.

As a result, the 31-year-old is only bound to benefit further on the individual scale, shining just as he did during his two seasons in Wales.

Jim Mallinder has assembled a very talented group of players in Northampton, a side that looks very capable of bringing not just domestic, but also European silverware back to the club, something which Fotuali’l will be a major part of.

15. Christian Wade

Club: London Wasps

Position: Wing

Age: 22

Another player who managed to make last term’s Premiership Player of the Season shortlist, it would be impossible to leave out a player as young and as talented as Christian Wade when it comes to excitement.

Dynamic, yet smart, and with a penchant for speed, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest there’s a touch of Jason Robinson about the 22-year-old, who finished the last campaign as the division’s joint-highest try scorer.

Not only did his attacking exploits earn Wade the Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards, but the youngster received his first senior England call-up for the tour to Argentina.

Scoring his first try for the side in an uncapped appearance against the Barbarians, greater things awaited Wade after injuries to Tommy Bowe and George North saw him brought to Australia as cover for the Lions squad.

Currently averaging more than a try every other game at the club level, this pint-sized points scorer is set to dazzle enemy lines for some time to come yet, and his next opportunity is the upcoming Aviva Premiership term.