ANTHONY WATSON, ENGLAND

England won the Under-20 World Cup in June and already the first shoots are breaking through into the senior squad. Watson was the first, called up in November, and he has been joined by Jack Nowell. Both play full-back but are plenty quick enough for the wing, which is handy since England have a vacancy on the left. Watson is astonishingly quick. He is also 19, so is still eligible for the Under-20 World Cup this year. Could be otherwise engaged, though.

BRICE DULIN, FRANCE

You wouldn't particularly notice him if he passed you in the street, but international rugby players are beginning to notice as he has passed so many of them on the field. There's not much of him, but he knows where the space is and has the pace to reach it. If any good came from France's 2013, it was to settle on him as their full-back. He missed last year's Six Nations but helped Castres to an unlikely French title and was ever-present for France in the autumn.

CHRIS HENRY, IRELAND

He's 29, so not exactly a star of the future, but he certainly is a star of the present in an Ulster team that has just qualified as No1 seeds for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. He should now be given a chance to shine for Ireland in Sean O'Brien's absence. Henry is not quite in his league as a ball-carrier – who is? – but he is every bit as voracious as a tackler and as a pilferer of possession. Magnificent in Ulster's win at Leicester a week ago.

TOMMASO ALLAN, ITALY

Previously known as Tommy from when he played age-group rugby for Scotland, he is now very much Tommaso, having committed to Italy in November. His uncle, John, played for Scotland and South Africa (in the days when you could), but he was born in Vicenza to an Italian mother. More to the point, he is a 20-year-old fly-half good enough to play for Perpignan. Many think Italy are a good fly-half away from being a force in the Six Nations. Time will tell if Allan can be that man.

MATT SCOTT, SCOTLAND

Scotland's answer to Billy Twelvetrees — without the flashy name and flowing locks, but with a 16st bundle of fast-twitch muscle and the skills of a fly-half. Ever present during Scotland's third-placed finish last season, it was his try-scoring performance against South Africa last summer that really marked him out. Should be a fixture for years to come. Hasn't played since November, but Scotland value him so highly he may yet start next Sunday.

SAMSON LEE, WALES

For years, Wales have dared not countenance a life without Adam Jones. They might be able to now. The Scarlets have developed two hugely promising tightheads in Rhodri Jones and this 21-year-old. A year older, Rhodri Jones was given the nod when Adam Jones was injured in the autumn, but Lee won his first caps from the bench and is seen as the future. Where, quite recently, it was a liability, the Scarlets' scrum has been a real weapon in the Pro12 this season.