We’ve picked one player from each of the teams in France.
Mark Telea The 26-year-old All Blacks wing was a bit of a slow burner earlier in his career but things have taken off for him in the last couple of years.
Lorenzo Cannone Ireland know all about the threat posed by 22-year-old Italy number eight Cannone, who had a strong game for the Azzurri when Andy Farrell’s side visited Rome earlier this year.The Benetton man runs clever lines and is a powerful presence on the ball. Cannone combines well with captain Michele Lamaro and Sebastien Negri in the Italian back row. He’s the kind of talented young player with big ambitions driving this Italy team.
Hardwick was capped twice by the Wallabies in 2017 but has now switched to the nation of his birth. His hard-nosed approach will be key as the Namibians fight against the odds under former Springboks coach Allister Coetzee. The 26-year-old has established himself in the Six Nations but will now look to show his talents on the global stage. His partnership with Huw Jones has been lethal at times, while the clever Cameron Redpath provides good back-up.
Jac Morgan It might seem odd to pick a team’s skipper among this company but the reality is that Morgan is still fresh to Test rugby. He will win his 12th cap against Fiji this weekend, having made a huge impact so far for Wales. Isoa Nasilasila The 23-year-old lock is one of many Fijian players who have benefitted from the inclusion of the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific.
One of those who will be doing his best to make sure those speed men can shine is flanker Nicolas Martins. The 24-year-old plays with Angouleme in the French PRO D2 and is a rounded back row who delivers big tackles and powerful carries. Head coach Jamie Joseph will hope to be able to call on the dynamic Black Rams Tokyo man, who used to play on the wing or at centre, moved into the back row in recent years, and impressed in the second row in Japan’s warm-up games.
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