This piece will explore English players that are on top form ahead of the new season. These individuals have already shown their capability and flare. The type of players that create excitement on the pitch! With edge of the seat line-breaks, tackles, kicks, and carries, each player has a portfolio of impressive skills!
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
Tommy Freeman started his rugby career at Wymondham RFC in Norfolk, a Leicester Tigers stronghold for nurturing young talent. Starting his professional pathway at Leicester until he was released by the club and quickly snapped up by Northampton who saw the potential Tommy had. Making his premiership debut in 2020 for Northampton Saints in 2020 aged 19.
Northampton’s new director of rugby for the upcoming season Phil Dowson has commented on the rapid progress of Tommy since he has received test squad exposure. Being surrounded by the finest players and coaches in England will have a huge benefit to Tommy’s development. Receiving his first two caps for England down under in the series victory over Australia.
Averaging 10 metres per carry is an impressive stat for the fullback. Scoring 13 tries and assisting 5 in the 2021-22 season. Hopefully Tommy can build on his success and further improve his already impressive stats for the 2022-23 season. Securing his first two caps for England in the recent summer tour to Australia.
Henry Arrundell (London Irish)
Henry Arrundell made his debut last season for London Irish against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup at just 19 years old. An exciting player who can unleash explosive and aggressive bursts of pace. With England coach Eddie Jones praising his ability after a training session mentioning he scored a 90 metre try and that ‘he’s fast!’. Having already had success for England in the U20s squad being the joint top try scorer in the 2022 Under 20 Six Nations. With his explosive pace making him a hot topic of conversation for rugby fans. England player Jonny Hill also praised his abilities in a recent interview commenting that he’s a ‘proper rockstar’ and that ‘I’m sure he’s going to have a big future’.
A try which all rugby fans have seen, his debut international try coming off the bench in the second test against Australia, scoring in his first touch of the game with his hard, aggressive running style knocking down two Australian players in their attempt at taking him down.
Henry is certainly making a name for himself, with rugby fans worldwide talking of the talented 19-year-old, particularly his 98 metre try which he scored against Toulon in the European Challenge Cup. Which will go down as one of the greatest tries in the European competition.
Max Ojomah (Bath)
Max has made enormous progress in the 21/22 season breaking onto the premiership scene after graduating from the Bath Academy in February 2022. The 21-year-old comes from a family with Bath Rugby history with Father Steve playing for Bath in the 90s. Max has always had a connection with Bath from early on, playing on the pitch after games with a focus on playing for the first team side, following in his dad’s footsteps when joining the academy aged 14. Scoring his debut first team try in September 2021 kickstarted the career of the young talented centre.
Hopefully Max can take it to the next level and gain a well-deserved spot in the England team. Rugby fans are certainly, looking forward to seeing some exiting skills in the new season from the centre.
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Marcus Smith is quickly becoming a household name amongst rugby fans. The 23-year-old fly-half became the second youngest premiership debutant in history aged 18. Winning the Premiership in 2021 aged 22 for his boyhood club Harlequins was another impressive accolade added to Smiths career.
Building a promising international career with 13 international caps already, learning from one of England’s most talented fly-half’s Owen Farrell and receiving coaching from arguably England’s greatest fly-half of all time Jonny Wilkinson. In his most recent performance for England Smith scored an impressive try running a considerable distance of the pitch in a line break which gave England further lead over Australia, helping in them win the series. Smith has answered questions of those which doubt his ability in high pressure environments in the final test.
Coming off the back of an impressive summer in which Marcus built on his already impressive ability is the reason he was chosen as one to watch. The confidence in which scoring international tries can bring to a young star like Marcus is huge and will no doubt lead to him starting the 2022/23 Premiership season with a bang.
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Ollie has made quick progress in his rugby career moving from Championship division side Nottingham in the summer of 2020 to Leicester Tigers. Making his senior debut for Tigers against Gloucester in August 2020 in the prestigious Gallagher premiership.
His ability to catch the ball from challenging positions in lineouts and his length of reach, is one of the skills which has cemented his spot in Leicester’s pack which dominates sides across the Premiership and Europe. Having now made 31 appearances for the club, Ollie has found his feet at the club having experienced success for Tigers in their Premiership Final win over Saracens in June this year.
Ollie has built international experience being noticed by England coach Eddie Jones making his debut for the national side against Italy in the 2022 Six Nations. Ollie was picked for the recent summer tour to Australia where he made his first start for the side in England’s final test against Australia which led to them winning the series. After a summer in which Ollie has gained invaluable training and experience being around the best players in the country, the 2022/23 season will
Opportunities to watch these stand out players…
All these players to watch for the upcoming season are exciting for their clubs for and on the international stage, with many players having already stepped up to the international stage, proving they have the potential to deliver on such an epic stage.
With many of the players mentioned representing England currently and will no doubt be selected for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series and Guinness Six Nations giving you the opportunity to watch every moment closer to the action.
Explore our rugby page to get an overview of upcoming fixtures and facilities available here.
