5 International Rugby Players Set for Big Years in 2016

2016 will see the making of the careers of several international rugby players. In this article, Bleacher Report brings attention to five players most likely to make the grade over the coming year.

As is perhaps to be expected, three of those who are tipped for success are getting their chance to shine following the retirement of titanic figures in their national teams. Interestingly, centres dominate this list, providing three of the five candidates predicted to produce imposing 12 months in world rugby.

5. Jonathan Davies

Jonathan Davies, the Wales centre is set for an important 12 months after cruelly missing the 2015 Rugby World Cup through injury.

With Jamie Roberts not making the impression on opposition defences that he was five years ago, and George North’s relative loss of form, Wales will need the outside centre to provide the guile to complement Wales’ increasingly less-effective brawn.

Since returning from injury Davies had a fine game in the last European Champions Cup round of the year, when he played a central role in Clermont Auvergne’s revenge against the Exeter Chiefs.

Internationally, Davies will be looking to make up for lost time in 2016, starting at the Aviva against Ireland on February 7.

4. Iain Henderson

Iain Henderson is the giant Ireland lock tasked with the daunting prospect of replacing Paul O’Connell in the Irish pack.

Henderson was one of the few bright spots for Ireland in their disappointing World Cup campaign and has the physical and mental attributes to be one of the best players in Europe this year.

The only barrier to Henderson becoming one of the standout players in Europe in 2016 is the debate over which position he plays. Ulster tend to deploy the powerhouse from blindside flanker, whereas Ireland will want him in the second row, particularly with Peter O’Mahony as their first-choice No. 6.

If 6'6" Henderson can negotiate that inconvenience, he will tower over opponents in 2016.

3. Jack Nowell

England back Jack Nowell improved immeasurably in 2015, and the development in his game over the past 12 months sets him up to take international rugby by storm in 2016.

The Nowell who played in the 2014 Six Nations was raw, talented, but almost brainless. In 2015, he matured into a very fine player criminally left out of the England team for the crucial World Cup matches.

Since the World Cup Nowell has continued to impress for the Exeter Chiefs and has been a key part of their surge to the top of the English Premiership.

Nowell has played at centre, wing or full-back to great effect for his club and is gaining the all-round skills to be a force in the world game. It’s a big comparison to make, but he could be the English equivalent of New Zealand’s Ben Smith.

2. Jesse Kriel

Jesse Kriel of South Africa will be needing a big 2016 after not showing his best form at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. With Jean de Villiers retiring from international rugby, Kriel will be expected to fill the boots of the ex-captain, alongside Damian de Allende.

And as South Africa try to develop a more expansive back line conducted by Handre Pollard at fly-half, the role of the exciting Kriel, who can also operate in the back three, will be especially important. Watch this space and Kriel’s dancing feet.

1. Malakai Fekitoa

Malakai Fekitoa is by some distance Bleacher Report’s No. 1 international rugby player set for a big year in 2016. Fekitoa was already one of the best centres in the world last year, but he had three legends, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams ahead of him in the queue for a berth in the New Zealand midfield.

But with Smith and Nonu retiring, and Williams trying his hand at rugby sevens for the Rio Olympic Games, Fekitoa will be at the centre of the Kiwis’ plans.

Fekitoa is ready to fire.