Picking 10 Future Stars from the IRB U20s World Championship

Emerging from the aftermath of this year's Under-20s World Championship comes another new class of rugby prodigies and prospects, those players destined to one day rule at the peak of the senior game.

New Zealand's Baby Blacks may have proved their worth as the best youngsters in the world, but almost every team had at least one or more emerging starlet among their ranks.

Some up-and-comers were known talents prior to this year's competition, others failed to live up to expectations and some served as new, surprise contenders for future greatness.

Based on the 2015 U20 World Championship, we've compiled a selection of those players on course for big things in the future based on their displays in Italy over the past month.

1. Tevita Li, New Zealand

Starting with the cream of the crop, New Zealand winger Tevita Li finished this year's championship as top try scorer (6) and may be considered by some as unfortunate not to have won Player of the Tournament.

Physically and athletically, the 20-year-old speedster at times looked to be bounds ahead of his competition, with Planet Rugby's Ben Coles pointing out how evident it was Li has already been involved in Super Rugby.

The winger's playing time with the Blues is gradually increasing, and with the likes of Frank Halai (Wasps), Francis Saili (Munster) and Charles Piutau (Ulster) each leaving Auckland in the foreseeable future, his prospects are looking up.

All Blacks legend and newly appointed Blues coach Tana Umaga could be the perfect mentor to keep Li's feet on the ground while maintaining his development, helping the Auckland native fulfil his untapped potential.

2. James Chisholm, England

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From an unsuccessful contender to the man who took home this year's Player of the Tournament gong, England's James Chisholm displayed a new level of quality in the 2015 U20s World Championship.

Second-rower Charlie Ewels may have been Rosebuds captain, but Chisholm's ravaging displays from No. 8 acted as an inspiration of their own, leading him to two tries for his troubles.

Harlequins may see fit to hand Chisholm a bump in responsibility after witnessing the damage he's capable of, growing further and further into his No. 8 hub since moving from flanker.

3. Garry Ringrose, Ireland

Ireland's achievements in Italy were far from as attractive as many might have expected, but outside centre Garry Ringrose emerged as a particularly impressive component among an attack that managed just six tries in total.

The 2014 World Under-20 Player of the Year nominee acted as a constant source of imagination in an otherwise lacklustre back line, justifying the interest Leinster have taken in his development.

It's little wonder Ireland coach Joe Schmidt invited the Blackrock native to train with the senior squad last autumn, when Tommy Bowe was left hailing the prodigy's talents, per John O'Sullivan of the Irish Times:

"

He looks a classy little player, plenty of confidence. I spoke to a few of the Leinster lads about him; they really think he could be the real deal. I thought that he came in and did a great job. 

It’s always intimidating ... whenever I came in first of all (to the national squad) I found it very intimidating with all these senior players about but he slotted in very well and looked the part.

He’s a young guy. Obviously he’s going to fill out eventually. You see (Handre) Pollard for South Africa; he’s 20 years old and well able to step up to it. Given an opportunity he’ll (Ringrose) be able to take it.

"

Cut from the same cloth as Brian O'Driscoll, Ringrose has shown glimpses of all-round pedigree, backing up consistent, dogged creativity with some promising flashes of rarer technical know-how.

4. RG Snyman, South Africa

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There are those who have to graft and work their way into adopting a rugby career, and then there are those who always seemed destined for a life in the trade; 6'9" RG Snyman is an example of the latter.

The South African monolith is the latest towering lock to emerge from the Blue Bulls' setup, following in the footsteps of Vodacom Cup team-mate Victor Matfield.

The Bulls bruiser is yet to make his Super Rugby debut, but it won't be long until his staggering frame is leaving its impression on the southern hemisphere club ranks.

5. Lewis Ludlam, England

After representing England at under-18 and under-19 levels, back-row enthusiast Lewis Ludlam is now impressing with the under-20s, despite still being in his teenage years at 19.

Northampton Saints once released Ludlam from their academy ranks only to reacquire his talents just two years later, having refined his craft as a work-hardy flanker.

The Saints starlet is now one of Northampton's most promising assets, and Aviva Premiership's Paul Morgan has even tipped Ludlam as a future star of the division.

Based on the superb balance of attributes shown in Italy these past four weeks, that prediction may be spot on as Ludlam's progress continues to see him climb the rungs of English rugby.

6. Jonah Placid, Australia

Melbourne is an interesting place to be after the Rebels managed their best-ever Super Rugby finish of 10th this year, with Jonah Placid well-placed to continue his surging momentum.

The full-back was Australia's highest try scorer by some distance in the 2015 U20s World Championship, bagging five in total, with only his defensive positioning perhaps to be scrutinised.

Placid's attacking potency has been seen at club level, too, after he scored a superb try against the Lions this year upon making his Rebels debut and first ever Super Rugby start.

To this date, that outing remains his only Super Rugby start, but one can bet the Rebels have long-term plans in mind for the New South Wales native. Placid by name, anything but by nature.

7. Arthur Bonneval, France

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The younger brother of full France international Hugo, Arthur Bonneval is following his sibling's example as a dangerous speed merchant, partly evidenced with a two-try haul in this month's World Championship.

While the quantity may not be considered that vast, it's the quality of Bonneval's scores that show his pedigree, particularly a one-man effort against the Baby Boks, shown by World Rugby's official Twitter account.

Unlike Stade Francais' Hugo, Arthur finds himself coming through the academy of Toulouse, but his lightning-quick feet may one day follow the same path of his brother into senior international honours.

8. Akira Ioane, New Zealand

It's often the case at age-group tournaments that a handful of players, or perhaps just one in particular, looks that much more advanced than the rest on show; Akira Ioane may have been this competition's example of just that.

Despite being a back-rower, the Baby Blacks talisman finished just one score behind winger team-mate Li in the try count, dotting down on five occasions, bullying his way past the field with what looked like relative ease.

The Blues' academy system appears to be in good shape considering Ioane also originates from their borders and has already taken his first steps in Super Rugby, by no means giving away signs of his age.

Son of former Samoa international Eddie, 20-year-old Ioane has the tools at his disposal and can be nurtured into a terrifically versatile back-row weapon, with an All Blacks future possible not many years away.

9. Stuart Townsend, England

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Although his championship came to an end after barely two matches, England scrum-half Stuart Townsend just about showed enough to justify his inclusion as a future star of the sport.

Ben Youngs and Danny Care may soon be watching over their shoulder for the burgeoning No. 9, who scored three tries in the 114 minutes managed in Italy before sustaining a knee injury.

Exeter Chiefs' prolific youth setup appears to have produced another potential international candidate, with Townsend standing out by some distance as England's current, highest hope at scrum-half.

10. Andrew Kellaway, Australia

Andrew Kellaway is no stranger to the Under-20s World Championship, and this year he saw his record as the tournament's highest-ever try scorer surpassed by New Zealand's Li in some style.

However, the Waratahs' centre prospect nevertheless maintains his reputation as an intriguing hope for Australia, especially with Adam Ashley-Cooper soon to leave the Super Rugby franchise for France.

Like his soon-to-be ex-team-mate, Kellaway can be relied on for a try when times are dire, and all signs suggest the red-headed midfielder is capable of taking that clinical touch into the senior sport.