10 Young Stars of World Rugby to Watch out for in 2015

Predicting the "next big thing" is a common pursuit among sports pundits and enthusiasts, where the urge to uncover hidden talent before anybody else is often as intriguing as discussion of the world's current superstars.

The ever-changing landscape of rugby is no different in this regard, and 2015 will be another year in which countless prospects break the mould and weave their way into the spotlight.

We've amassed a selection of the 10 most promising assets aged 23 and below, each of whom are poised to make big impact over the next 12 months if they manage to fulfil their potential.

We've scoured the hemispheres and picked out starlets from the Aviva Premiership, Top 14, Pro12 and Super Rugby, some of whom are already making waves, while others make for more unassuming subjects of interest.

1. Simon Hickey

Age: 21

Simon Hickey was just 18 years of age when he made his ITM Cup debut for Auckland in 2012 and will be a well-known name to those in New Zealand, but his talent should soon be known worldwide.

Now just turned 21, the fly-half is heading into his second Super Rugby campaign with the Blues, hoping to lead the outfit with better success than the 10th-place finish of his maiden season.

With veteran All Blacks No. 10 Dan Carter beginning to wind down his career, New Zealand needs a new, young sensation to step into the limelight, and Hickey could well be that figure. He's a couple of years off Beauden Barrett's impact at the Hurricanes, but will look to his template as a blueprint, an example to follow.

Given his age and influence, it's of little surprise the Blues starlet lists Carter as his favourite player on his official All Blacks profile, dubbing the Crusaders icon simply "the man."

A former New Zealand under-20 and already featuring prominently for a Super Rugby outfit, Hickey has all the tools to become a phenomenon. At present, he's raw, but given the right guidance and experience, 2015 could be the year that sees him mature greatly.

2. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Age: 23

En route to securing their maiden Super Rugby title, the Waratahs pulled off something of a miniature coup by adding former rugby league prospect Taqele Naiyaravoro to their ranks.

When news broke that a monolithic, 120-kilogram winger had been brought to New South Wales, the rugby community deservedly took heed, but the recently turned 23-year-old's impact hasn't been instant.

Upon penning a deal with the Tahs, Naiyarovoro was quoted by Daniel Lane of the Sydney Morning Herald as saying:

"

It's very exciting. I watch the rugby and the Waratahs are an exciting team that likes to run the ball. I would like to think I can add to their attack. It's a great opportunity to play in the top tier and I will give it my best shot. I have to do my medical and will wait to see what the Waratahs want from there. I just can't wait.

"

Since making the shift from Wests Tigers to union, the Fiji-born behemoth has gained union experience with Parramatta Two Blues and the Greater Sydney Rams in the National Rugby Championship.

That being said, he did make his Waratahs debut last May and scored his first Super Rugby try against the Highlanders in Week 18, showcasing a surprising turn of pace for one so massive.

Naiyaravoro displayed this agility last summer at Thomond Park's World Club Sevens, a testament to the stamina he possesses.

With almost a year of union now under his belt, one can expect the rise to really start, and if Michael Cheika finds himself short on power out wide or in the centres, he knows where to look.

3. Thomas du Toit

Age: 19

A long line of scrum technicians have guided South Africa's pack to becoming one of the most renowned in the world throughout the years, so it's fortunate the future remains bright with talents like Thomas du Toit emerging.

Standing at 6'2" and around the 19-stone mark, it's astonishing to believe the versatile youngster will remain a teenager until May of this year, already making four Super Rugby appearances for the Sharks.

A race for playing time saw Du Toit shift down to the Sharks XV squad, gaining valuable minutes in the Vodacom Cup and earning himself a place in the South Africa under-20 squad for last year's Junior World Championships.

Sport24 quotes the mammoth prodigy as saying of his thrust onto the big stage:

"

I never thought in my wildest dreams things would turn out as they have this year. I had a five year plan to play Super Rugby, but that happened very quickly and I was very happy about that. 

I never wanted to play at the lower levels, but I was willing to accept playing there. But I have always trained to play above my grade, so although I was surprised to play at that level, it was always part of the plan to play there.

"

Du Toit has shown an ability to play at tighthead as well as his more natural loosehead position, and having his weight in the pack is a tremendous asset to be able to call off the bench.

That being said, with the right pre-season preparations, he may already find his time in the starting XV increases this season, although that will be at the scrutiny of new head coach Gary Gold.

4. Robbie Henshaw

Age: 21

You're 21 years of age, the greatest Irish rugby player and arguably the best centre in history has just retired from the sport and you've been tasked with filling his boots; Robbie Henshaw has no easy path ahead of him.

But it's a journey which has gotten off to a promising start at least, with the Connacht midfielder earning only his second and third international starts in autumn wins over South Africa and Australia last year.

And what better statement of belief could Henshaw receive than the stamp of approval from the very man he's been tasked with replacing, Brian O'Driscoll, quoted by Gavin Cummiskey of the Irish Times as saying in October:

"

Robbie’s a very quick learner. He has taken a lot on board. Reads situations well. Very good basic skills. Nice feet. Powerful. Defensively, he’s come on leaps and bounds in the past 18 months and really understands the position a lot more. And he’s an unbelievably nice fella. And he’s a huge man.

"

Unlike the majority of this list's inclusions, Henshaw doesn't represent a club giant, but Connacht gave the 21-year-old senior responsibility, which is key to the development of any up-and-comer.

By rights, the five-cap international is already emerging as a big name, but this year's Six Nations, not to mention the World Cup in England, could see his status elevated beyond comprehension.

5. Lalakai Foketi

Age: 20

Moving to Europe is a transition of the southern hemisphere's giants usually saved for their twilight years, but Lalakai Foketi has bucked the trend by moving to Top 14 side Bayonne at the beginning of his career.

Originally being a part of the Rebels' extended playing squad for the 2014 season, the 20-year-old now finds himself in France, an intriguing decision for one so young and with such huge potential ahead of him.

The former Australian Schoolboys centre represented the Wallabies' under-20 side at both the 2013 and 2014 Junior World Championships, scoring in a 53-16 rout of Samoa in the fifth-place playoff semi-final.

Although he's situated in midfield, Foketi possesses some tenacious traits of a flanker and can regularly be found foraging for possession after committing in the tackle, unafraid to do his bit of dog work.

It will be of huge intrigue to see how such a highly rated player fares in his European expedition, already beginning to clock up minutes at Bayonne, hoping the Top 14 outfit will give him a bigger springboard than what was on offer in Super Rugby.

6. Nathan Hughes

Age: 23

Nathan Hughes is already considered a household name in some circles, but if his progress in the sport is anything to go by in recent seasons, further improvement is to be expected in 2015.

The Wasps No. 8 is tremendous in stature, weighing almost 20 stone with a height of 6'5", but it's his mental strength that stands out as being key to any future success.

Hughes wed wife Ella last year, and instead of partying with the rest of his entourage, the Fijian-born forward chose to sit quietly and watch Wasps' European Rugby Champions Cup playoff against Stade Francais, per the Daily Mail's Chris Foy:

"

Before the fixtures came out, we had planned the date for the wedding. When Dai (Young, Wasps’ director of rugby) said we had a game on May 24, I was a bit nervous about going to ask him if I could miss it.

I delayed the flight to Fiji so I could play in the first game, then I went out after that. I watched the second game on TV, after the wedding. It was about 3am in Fiji, so I put my missus to bed and said, 'I’m going to the pub to watch the boys play.' 

She asked why I didn’t just watch the replay but I said, 'I can’t, I have to see it now.' It was the game which decided whether we made it into Europe (Champions Cup) or not, so I had to watch it and I was so pleased we won.

"

Whenever speaking of sporting greats, it's common to hear that those most celebrated figures got out what they put in, whether it was extra hours on the training field or going above and beyond in their off-pitch commitments.

Hughes' story reminds us of that tie to his duties, which combined with his monumental frame, should see his star rise only further this year.

Hughes made 19 Aviva Premiership appearances last season, but is already on the verge of eclipsing that number with 18 outings in 2014-15, more than doubling his 2013-14 tally of four tries with nine this time around, per Wasps' official website.

Born in Fiji to parents with Samoan ties and living in England for almost two years, it will be another 18 months before the giant qualifies for Stuart Lancaster's side, but what an acquisition he could be.

7. Teddy Thomas

Age: 21

One wouldn't have thought Teddy Thomas only made his France debut this past autumn, with his record already standing at four tries in just two appearances for Les Bleus.

Rightly, Philippe Saint-Andre dropped the winger for missing a training session after those performances, per Rugby Dump, but with experience comes greater maturity, something the Racing Metro star could improve upon.

Clearly, talent isn't the attribute in question. His scoring displays against Fiji and Australia were savage examples of the ability he possesses to make his way to the line, more than simply a speed merchant.

Moving to Paris from Biarritz, Racing will offer Thomas an elite standard of rugby among some useful mentors, with Saint-Andre likely to utilise the wide man as long as past grievances can be overcome.

Both at club level and internationally, expect the 21-year-old to make huge—and incredibly nippy—strides throughout 2015.

8. Nicky Smith

Age: 20

The Ospreys bid farewell to a long-serving prop forward in the shape of Adam Jones last year, whose departure for rivals Cardiff Blues was something of a shock for Welsh rugby.

The club may still suffer at tighthead following his exit, but the loosehead role looks well taken care of for years to come in the hands of the emerging Nicky Smith.

Making his senior Wales debut against Fiji in the recent November international series, the 20-year-old is fast creating waves in Pro12 circles, tipped for big things to come both on the club scene and for his country.

Prior to the autumn Tests, Wales coach Warren Gatland spoke of Smith's talent, per BBC Sport: "He's playing every week and he's playing well. I think he's aware that he's a work in progress. He knows he's not the finished product at the moment so it is a great opportunity to come into our environment and for us to have a look at him at that next level."

At just 20 years of age, it's been a terrific response from Smith to answer the national team's call with such comfort, not looking a bit out of place among his more experienced peers.

By all rights, Wales have reason to be excited about his prospect. If he's close to rivalling the more seasoned front-rowers now, one can only imagine where Smith will be in five years' time.

9. Tevita Li

Age: 19

The second Blues candidate to make our list is a player whose talent appears to far exceed his 19 years. Tevita Li was signed by his hometown Super Rugby franchise for the 2014 campaign, managing to make eight appearances and score three tries.

The Chiefs were also interested in Li after he impressed at schools level, showing just how sought-after his services were, but the Auckland club won the race and can hope to see their winger blossom this year.

Li's involvement for the Blues was enough to earn his place in New Zealand's under-20 side for the 2014 Junior World Championship, where he bagged one try in as many displays.

However, as is so often the case, his outrageous potential doesn't come without its baggage, and The New Zealand Herald reported in September that Li was still awaiting a verdict in a drink-driving case.

Controversy sometimes seems to follow the biggest talents in sport, and if that trend is evident anywhere, the explosive, line-breaking ability of Li stays true to the tradition.

10. Sean McMahon

Age: 20

It's been a massive year for Melbourne Rebels up-and-comer Sean McMahon, who recently joined Australia captain Michael Hooper as another tremendously promising flanker talent among the Wallabies' setup.

Over the last three years, the Brisbane-born back-rower has played a vast amount of rugby, rising through the Australia Schoolboys into the under-20s and eventually starring with the sevens team, winning bronze at last year's Commonwealth Games.

A great deal of that success came after the 20-year-old's maiden campaign in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels, where he was a surprisingly prominent part of Tony McGahan's squad.

The head coach will be striving to hang onto a starlet clearly poised for big things, too, ending 2014 with starts in three of the Wallabies four autumn internationals.

That came after a blitzing debut for Australia against the Barbarians, with coach Cheika quoted by the Australian Associated Press (h/t the Guardian) as saying of his new arrival: 

"Sean made the most of his opportunity and brought great work-rate and physicality to our game. This selection also recognises the outstanding year he has had at all levels of the game, and he thoroughly deserves the chance to debut for Australia."

McMahon's progress from the National Rugby Championship with Melbourne Rising into the Super Rugby setup and beyond is clear evidence that hard work pays off.

As long as he's still willing to commit that kind of graft—which he most likely is—2015 only promises to bring about the next stage of his evolution.