Nations Championship Rugby: Who are the stars to watch?

We’re fast approaching the crunch rounds (4-6) of the inaugural Nations Championship, followed by the Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium on 27-28 September. The stage is perfectly set for some of rugby’s biggest names to take centre stage.

While we wait for official squad announcements for the upcoming rounds of matches, here’s a look at some of the players to watch for., Featuring some established players we’ve come to expect great performances from, through to potential breakout stars of the tournament.

Established stars

Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa, wing)
The Springboks finished the July series unbeaten and possess the tournament's strongest points difference so far. Kolbe's pace, footwork and big-match pedigree make him a must-watch superstar, every time he touches the ball.

Ardie Savea (New Zealand, back row)
With New Zealand also unbeaten after the opening three rounds, Savea's carrying, breakdown work and leadership could be crucial as the All Blacks push for a place in the final.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England, wing)
One of the most explosive runners in international rugby, Feyi-Waboso combines raw pace with powerful ball carrying. His ability to create something from nothing makes him a genuine match-winner and a player opposition must closely monitor.

Antoine Dupont (France, scrum-half)
Widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, Dupont remains the player most capable of deciding big matches on his own. France are among the favourites for the title, and if they're challenging for the championship on Finals Weekend, he'll be at the heart of it.

Breakout stars to watch

Morgan Morse (Wales, No. 8)
Many Welsh observers view Morse as the player most capable of becoming Wales' next elite forward. Powerful, athletic and composed beyond his years, he could emerge as a central figure during the second half of the competition.

Henry Pollock (England, back row)
Pollock has already become one of the most talked-about young forwards in world rugby. His combination of pace, breakdown impact and relentless energy makes him a perfect fit for fast-paced international rugby. England continue to give him greater responsibility, and the latter stages of the tournament could be where he becomes a genuine world-class No. 7.

Wallace Sititi (New Zealand, back row)
Possibly the biggest young star in world rugby outside of Pollock. Sititi combines the size of a modern No. 8 with the skills of a back. He looks destined to become a cornerstone of the All Blacks for the next decade.

Dafydd Jenkins (Wales, lock)
Although already captain material, Jenkins is still only 23 and continues to develop. If Wales outperform expectations, he'll almost certainly be the player leading them from the front. Based on the current standings after the first three rounds of the tournament in the Southern Hemisphere; South Africa, New Zealand, Scotland, England and France will most likely be the teams best positioned to shape the title race for the Final’s Weekend at Allianz Stadium. From these teams, we’ll be sure to see standout individual performances that shape the tournament.

Closer to the Action at Allianz

Witness Rugby history in the inaugural Nations Championships across England’s three pool matches followed by an epic Finals Weekend, with hospitality at Allianz Stadium.

As the official hospitality provider for Allianz Stadium, Keith Prowse has a range of hospitality options for you to choose from. Expect nothing short of exhilarating, physical rugby paired with world-class amenities when you buy hospitality tickets to the Nations Championship 2026.