Aviva Premiership Rugby’s five breakthrough stars of 2017 - Ruck
Rugby News Top 10s/Lists

Aviva Premiership Rugby’s five breakthrough stars of 2017

20 December 2017
Steven
Aviva Premiership Rugby is never short of thrills and spills and over the last 12 months, we have seen some of the most exciting talent strutting their stuff on the biggest stage.

Outstanding performances have gone hand-in-hand with international call-ups and as we take a moment to catch our breath on another thrilling year of rugby, Premiership rugby have examined who has had a breakout 2017.

Sam Simmonds

An Aviva Premiership Rugby winners medal and your first England cap – it’s safe to say Sam Simmonds will look back on 2017 with a great big smile.

The 23-year-old’s tremendous speed and power helped steer the Chiefs towards league glory and that form was seen by Eddie Jones as Simmonds made his debut for England against Argentina in the autumn internationals.

While the first half of the year saw him gradually establish himself as a key member of the Exeter pack, no one in Devon will forget his dramatic, last-gasp try that earned the Chiefs a spot at Twickenham in their second consecutive Aviva Premiership Rugby final.

Simmonds has continued his stunning form into this campaign, scoring five tries and beating 25 defenders as Chiefs have thrived despite the absence of Thomas Waldrom for much of the season.

An international call-up in November was inevitable and having made his Test bow and after a meteoric rise in 2017, it would appear that 2018 will be another fine one for the England international.

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
Tom Dunn

The former prop has brought his effective scrummaging and ball-carrying to play into his role at hooker with devastating effect for Bath Rugby.

Since making his debut in October 2016, the 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength, even forcing his way into the England training squad.

Dunn made a colossal 31 tackles in Bath’s 20-16 defeat against Toulon last weekend, and then bettered it on Saturday as the West Country side got their revenge at the Rec, making 33 out of 33.

The Bath hooker has made an impressive 149 tackles and with his place firmly cemented Todd Blackadder’s side, expect plenty more tackling in 2018 and possibly more international recognition.

CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE
Marcus Smith

The teenage fly-half has been on everybody’s lips this year and was rewarded for his performances with a call-up to England’s training camp.

The Harlequins teenager burst onto the scene at the start of the 2017/18 campaign, producing a man of the match display to help his side end Wasps’ unbeaten run at the Ricoh Arena.

Smith has amassed 89 points already this season, only Exeter’s Gareth Steenson has more across the entire league.

Quick feet and intelligent kicking, Smith might be making his Test bow as soon as 2018 if he continues on his current trajectory.

CONTINUES ON PAGE FOUR
Ellis Genge

What a year it has been for the Leicester Tigers prop whose powerful ball-carrying skills have thundered him into the England reckoning.

Genge was given the Land Rover Discovery of the Season Award for his breakthrough year at the Tigers and his second season has been equally as impressive.

Arriving initially on-loan from Bristol, Genge has since made his stay at Welford Road permanent, and Tigers fans have certainly taken to him.

The 22-year-old has amassed five England caps and has been instrumental for Leicester this season, beating 22 defenders in the league, the third highest amongst his teammates.

Shoulder surgery curtailed his final month but knowing Genge, he is only going to come back stronger in 2018.

CONTINUES ON PAGE FIVE
Nick Isiekwe

The 19-year-old Isiekwe made two appearances last season but a call-up to Eddie Jones’ experimental England squad in Argentina this summer has helped this young lock go from strength-to-strength.

Already likened to Saracens teammate Maro Itoje, Isiekwe has made a similarly fast start to his career at Allianz Park and already looks at home at the highest level.

This season he came off the bench against Northampton Saints and Bath, and since then Isiekwe has been a regular fixture since starting against the Newcastle Falcons in Philadelphia.

Isiekwe has won 25 lineouts so far this season, putting him just behind George Kruis in the Saracens side.

A pair of England caps is an exciting start of things to come for this 6ft7ins giant who has the likes of Itoje and Kruis as worthy mentors as he continues his development.

 

Comments