10 Players to Watch in the 2015 Six Nations

Each and every year, we see a host of in-form Six Nations stars live up to our expectations and disappoint in equal measure, but it's always those more unassuming stars who surprise us most.

With a particular focus on the younger, less experienced talent, we've picked out a sample of names to keep an eye on throughout this year's tournament.

The list isn't exclusive to up-and-coming players, however, as others will be worth paying extra attention to for very different reasons.

One thing for sure is all the players discussed have a big opening to cause impact in the 2015 Six Nations, with the giants of Europe seeking to gain any edge they can find.

1. Robbie Henshaw

Robbie Henshaw has but three Ireland starts to his name since making his Test debut in 2013, two of those coming in last year's autumn internationals against South Africa and Australia.

In his first steps as a Six Nations player, the Brian O'Driscoll successor will again be examined with extreme scrutiny to see if he's up to the task in the long run, with things going swimmingly thus far.

His progress has suffered a setback, however, after BBC Sport reported this week that an ankle injury could make Henshaw a doubt for Joe Schmidt's early Six Nations fixtures.

Any input the 21-year-old has had thus far has been extremely positive, but the responsibility of defending Ireland's Six Nations honour piles yet more pressure on his young shoulders.

2. Rhys Webb

Warren Gatland has a most intriguing dilemma on his hands in whether to opt for the experience of Mike Phillips, the form of Rhys Webb or the potential of Gareth Davies in selecting his Six Nations scrum-half.

After such a bright start to his Wales career and displaying some sensational rugby at Ospreys over the past two seasons, however, it should be Webb who gets the nod and a chance to solidify his place.

Following the November triumph over the Springboks, Eddie Butler wrote for the Guardian that Webb was "pivotal to victory," a compliment certainly not off the mark as the half-back grows into his international setting.

Recent years have seen the No. 9 jersey become something of a carousel for Wales at times, but in Webb, Gatland may have found his scrum-half bastion for the years to come as long as he stays fit.

3. Anthony Watson

Arguably the most exciting prospect currently emerging in Stuart Lancaster's squad, Anthony Watson has boosted his reputation as a crucial component for Bath in recent months and international selectors must take notice.

It was during the November defeat to the All Blacks that the speedster made his official Test debut, but he's in contention to claim a starting place among Lancaster's back three, such is his talent.

Even at just 20 years of age, England can sit comfortably knowing a place on the wing, or even replacing Mike Brown at fullback, wouldn't be a huge risk in Watson's hands, an outrageously promising youngster with acres of development to go.

As OptaJonny points out on Twitter, no other player has beaten more defenders in the European Rugby Champions Cup this season, and his pace is almost unrivalled.

However, first-team minutes will be crucial to seeing that potential realised, and it will be of some interest to see whether his coach is ready to hand him the reins and watch him take a swing at the Six Nations' elite.

4. Noa Nakaitaci

The only player named in Philippe Saint-Andre's squad uncapped under Test conditions, Noa Nakaitaci may either be a shock star for France this year or fail to adapt for his adopted nation.

The first Fijian-born player ever to pull on the blue of France has already made small waves under Saint-Andre, scoring twice against the Blues in Auckland 18 months ago, but this will be far different.

With Teddy Thomas' discipline remaining questionable, the Clermont flyer may receive bigger chances at the Six Nations, with Saint-Andre quoted by Sky Sports as saying of his selection:

"He has become an undisputed first choice at Clermont. He scores tries and makes differences. He has progressed enormously this season."

None of those comments are wide of the mark in Nakaitaci's case, and Les Bleus may once again have uncovered a superb adopted talent in their 24-year-old wing wizard.

5. Jonny Gray

Even at just 20 years of age, Jonny Gray already strikes as something of a household name, given just how long we've been tipping the younger brother of Scotland's Richie for greatness.

Making his international debut in 2013, 2014 was a massive year for the Glasgow Warriors lock, whose stature on both the club and international stage grew immensely (no pun intended).

Injury has kept would-be captain Grant Gilchrist out of the mix, leaving the Gray siblings as the standout first-choice lock partnership for Vern Cotter, Jim Hamilton and Ben Toolis offering alternatives.

In truth, Gilchrist's absence could be extremely advantageous for Gray in the long run, who must take his opportunity with both hands and seems too mature for his age not to do so.

6. Jonathan Joseph

With Manu Tuilagi almost certainly ruled out of the entire tournament with a groin injury, per BBC Sport, the time has come for Bath's Jonathan Joseph to get his shot in Lancaster's midfield.

For as long as any England fan will remember, Tuilagi's injury woes have seen the centres put in some state of disarray, but for some time now Joseph has been putting his name forward as a potential star.

Showcasing some of his best-ever rugby this season, Joseph is quoted by the Guardian's Robert Kitson as saying he was inspired to improve after being left out of the squad that toured New Zealand last summer:

"

The most frustrating part was missing out on the New Zealand tour. It was disappointing and I came in this season with a real emphasis to get better. 

It’s hard. I can’t control what the England coaches want to go with. Obviously I’d be delighted if I was included in the Six Nations squad but I’m just trying to make myself a better player. If I am lucky enough to get a shot, that’s great.

Individually I thought I played well against Toulouse but I couldn’t have done it without the other boys. That was a big defensive performance as well. It is that defensive aspect which I think I’ve improved on: being part of the leadership group in defence, being physical, putting in good shots.

"

The 23-year-old presents a promising, well-rounded option in the centre, similar to the prospect an in-form Luther Burrell supplied around this time last year.

Up until now, his chances under Lancaster have been slight, but the promise of a Test debut under a Six Nations setting could see England's new star emerge.

7. Paul O'Connell

Irish rugby could lose a mammoth member of their fraternity for the third time in as many years later in 2015, with Paul O'Connell potentially eyeing his last Six Nations tournament.

Speaking to RTE Sport last week, the Munster warhorse admitted this year could be his last playing rugby, making this Six Nations as important as any other for him:

"

I don’t really know. I’m very much undecided at the moment. I’d love to stay playing until the World Cup and we’ll see after that. 

I am conscious that there’ll be less occasions but I hope that preparation isn’t any different to what it would have been in the past. 

You've just got to prepare to play your best, whether it’s your first Heineken Cup game or your last few.

"

Of course, a man of O'Connell's professional standing would treat any fixture the same, but defending this year's Six Nations title has just become all the more essential with his hinting at the exit door.

Even at the age of 35, O'Connell's influence at both the club and international level is enormous, but his mentality heading into this tournament may have him enthused to play above and beyond normal standards.

8. Camille Lopez

As the attached video shows, Camille Lopez brings an enormous amount of flair to France's fly-half position, an area of some great indecision for France in recent years.

The half-back roles in general have been too frequently rotated of late, or at least more than France would have preferred, needing a go-to partnership more than anything at present.

Morgan Parra was a surprising exclusion from the Six Nations squad, but in Lopez, Saint-Andre may have another Clermont playmaker able to pull out some reliable performances in the No. 10 jersey.

9. Billy Vunipola

Following Ben Morgan's broken leg while on duty for Gloucester, Billy Vunipola has a responsibility to recall his best international form, slumping into second choice as England's No. 8 this past autumn.

However, the 22-year-old is hitting fine form at the opportune time and was instrumental in Saracens' recent European win over Munster, with director Mark McCall quoted by the Press Association (h/t the Guardian) as saying:

"Billy was phenomenal today. He was a force of nature in attack and defence, but I thought we had outstanding performances right through the group."

Rewarded with Man of the Match credentials in such a pivotal club performance, Vunipola was the best of a very good bunch for Sarries, but he'll arguably have a far more difficult task individually in the Six Nations.

There, he'll be expected to play the role of primary hole-puncher in many instances, but can once again cement his place in Lancaster's starting XV with the right success.

10. Liam Williams

In terms of current form, there are few Welsh players coming into the Six Nations this year with morale higher than Liam Williams, the Scarlets star hitting top gear just when it matters.

Playing arguably the best rugby of his career to date, there's even a chance the 23-year-old could leapfrog ever-reliable Leigh Halfpenny in the race for the No. 15 jersey. 

Whereas Halfpenny is a secure option with superb kicking ability, Williams has more potential to dazzle from the fullback position, as he has done so often at club level this season.

The South Wales Evening Post this week confirmed the maestro could make his return for Scarlets in the upcoming fixture against Halfpenny's Toulon, giving coach Gatland a major boost ahead of the Six Nations.