With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time to reveal rugby’s future rising stars. We’ve selected 22 promising U21 players born up to 2004 or earlier.
We’ve ranked players’ potential from 1 to 10 stars, but there’s no such thing as a sure thing on this matter.
Mihaly Sioshvili
Georgia – 18 – RC Toulon – Loose Forward – 8
If you thought Lelos already had his fair share of nimble human tanks, think again. Another fierce powerhouse is on its way to the top. He is Mikheili Shioshvili. The number 8 was signed by RC Toulon a few seasons ago and made an immediate impact for the Espoir side, helping Georgia win two U18 European Men’s Rugby titles.
Luke Chirekidze
Georgia – 20 – Black Lion – Outside Back – 6
Over the past two years, “The Magician” Luka Tsirekidze has ignited the U20 Men’s World Cup and has already made his senior debut for Lelos in February. He’s the type of player who constantly produces brilliant goals and outrageous kicks that make a ticket to a match worth it. He currently plays for the Black Lion franchise, but there are whispers that he could be open to a move to France.
given to Paramia
Georgia – 18 – RC Toulon – Lock – 8
Another Georgia giant has made the list, Davit Baramia deserves a mention after another triumph at the U18 Rugby Europe Championship. Baramia stole the show at the last U18 6N Festival, establishing himself as a top lineout predator and relentless ball carrier.
yellow icarus
Uruguay – 20 – Peñarol – Flyhalf – 7
Uruguayan technique at its best. Ícaro Amarillo is one of the most promising South American defenders of the past five years, having already made his first appearance for Los Teros last fall. The quick and skilful Peñarol fly-half can unravel the most stout defenses and will surely feature in Uruguay’s first XV at the next Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Manuel Barreiro
Portugal – 19 – GD Right – Fly Half – 7
Could Manuel Vareiro be the next big thing to come out of the Lobos Wolfpack? The flashy fly-half possesses one of the best goalkicking skills in his class and has missed just six of his 70 conversions over the last two years. He is a special athlete with a chance to grow significantly in 2025.
Martim Souto
Portugal – 19 – Stade Aurillacois – loose propeller – 6
Portugal’s recent relationship with props has produced greats such as David Costa, Diogo Hasse Ferreira and now Aurillac’s loose prop Martim Souto. His hodgepodge of knowledge is already a force to be reckoned with, and he will surely be called upon to represent the Lobos senior team in the coming years.
Hugo Camacho
Portugal – 20 – AS Béziers-Hérault – Scrumhalves – 7
With Samuel Marques set to retire from international football, Hugo Camacho is next in line to take on the scrum-half mantle and the AS Béziers-Hérault man has all the ingredients to play a big role for his country. He has already scored his first try as a Test match player and is imbuing Portugal’s attack with a special skill that has even opposing fans smiling.
Alberto Carmona
Spain – 20 – RC Toulon – Utility back – 7
Carmona can play as a centre, wing or full-back and has already proven he can reach Test match level when he helped Spain defeat Uruguay last November. He was one of Spain’s best players at the 2024 U20 Men’s Rugby World Cup and will play a key role for Spain in their 2027 World Cup qualifiers in Australia.
Lucien Richardis
Spain – 19 – Stade Toulousain – Outside back – 6
Another rugby magician features on this list, with Stade Toulousain and Spain’s Luciano Richardis taking note. Richard created some of the most outrageous tricks of the last U20 World Cup, sketching out Spain’s attacking strategy with such ease that it left Leones fans daydreaming about the various player combos in the senior national team.
@rugbypass_es A star to follow closely: Lucien Richardis. 🇪🇸🔥 #WorldRugbyU20s? Calculation – Don Omar
Hugo Gonzalez
Spain – 19 – Complutense Cisneros – Tighthead Prop – 6
It’s amazing how Spain continues to produce outstanding players. Hugo González is next on the list thanks to his outstanding talent. Pablo Bouza saw huge potential in Cisneros’ tighthead prop and promoted him to earn his first cap for the Leones last November.
Ratu Kuru Cake
Fiji – 20 – Soyaux-Angouleme – Loose Forwards – 5
Bone-crushing tackles and unwavering spirit, Ratu Kurucake adds more to the fight. The 20-year-old moved to France in 2022 to pursue a professional rugby career and has been slowly but steadily getting there. If they continue to move in the right direction, great expectations can be placed on the winger.
Not Ravitu
Fiji – 19 – Fiji Drua – Flyhalf – 7
Caleb Muntz is currently the holder of Fiji’s n° 10 shirt, but Isikeli Rabitu has enough talent to fight for it one day. The 19-year-old is already a rising star for Fiji Drua, having started three games in the 2024 season and netting a five-pointer against the Hurricanes. His fluid movement of feet combined with precise passing skills are just two of his many other traits. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/fijian-drua-announce-co-captains-for-first-time-as-squad-for-2025-revealed/
Tomasi Seru
Fiji – 20 – Stade Rochule – Utility bag – 9
If you’re looking for the next Josua Tuisova, why not recommend Stade Rochelle’s Golden Nugget, Tomasi Seru? Simply put, he is special. Exceptional physical attributes, unreal tactical awareness and always focused mentality. He is the real deal and Tomasi Seru.
Toon Krast
Netherlands – 20 – CA Brive – Locked – 6
A great lock who knows how to play with the ball. Teun Krast has long been regarded as one of the Netherlands’ best prospects and CA Brive made efforts to sign him a few years ago. His lineout dominance and breakdown ability have taken the Oranje to the next level, and he will surely be a member of the Netherlands senior team come 2025.
Toine Obiang
Netherlands – 18 – Stade Rochelais – Tighthead Prop – 5
Toine Obiang was one of the few Dutch players to make an impact at the 2024 U20 World Rugby Trophy, performing well in the scrum while also keeping several tacklers at bay. He is currently a La Rochelle academy player and could play his first senior game in the coming months.
Adrian Metoo
Romania – 20 – Soyaux-Angouleme – Loose Forward – 6
Romania have struggled to find blockbuster prospects over the past seven years, but Adrian Mitu could be the next Stejarii rising star. Having already won two senior Test match caps, Mitu’s handling and jacking skills could work wonders for a team that prefers attacking rugby.
president david
Samoa – 20 – Apia Maroons – Wings – 5
Speed on wheels is the best way to describe Taitaifono Tavita, the Samoan wing who made a significant impact in last season’s 7s World Series and U20s World Rugby Trophy, scoring tries and pulling off a number of brilliant sprints.
Bruno Saes
Chile – 20 – Soyaux-Angouleme – Lock – 6
Bruno Sáez won his first two caps for Chile last November and showed why he is considered a strong asset in the Cóndores forward pack. He moved to France in the summer of 2023, and Pablo Lemoine is excited about the future of the lock.
Loved as Chicouti
Zimbabwe – 19 – Stade Aurillacois – Central – 5
Aurillac have invested heavily in African scouting and have identified an exciting center in Tadiwa Chikutiro, an outstanding prospect from Zimbabwe. As the owner of a dominant tackling game, Chikutiro has a shining path ahead of him and Pro D2 is the right stage for it.
Dominic Bessag
USA – 20 – Saint Mary’s College – Central – 9
With eight appearances and one try, Doming Besag is one of those players destined to become a star on the international stage. Physical aspects aside, the center’s keen handling skills, as demonstrated against Portugal and Spain, have enhanced the Eagles’ attacking strategy. He is still playing for Saint Mary’s College but the MLR side are already waiting for the right moment to pounce and sign him.
Keelan Farrell
USA – 20 – University of Durham – Wing – 7
The electrifying wing finished the 2024 U20 World Rugby Trophy with seven tries, helping the United States evade their pursuers to second place. He can move from first to fifth gear with ease and has dodges that would make Bryan Habana proud. He is currently demonstrating his skills at Durham University’s BUCS competition.
David Bennett
Hong Kong – 20 – Northampton Saints – Tighthead Prop – 6
Have the saints found Ben Tameifuna in Hong Kong China? David Bennett was one of Hong Kong China’s best players in the U20 World Rugby Trophy, winning several scrum penalties and bringing down tacklers against tougher opposition. He’s one of the top prospects on this list and just needs a chance to reach the top.
