Five hot rugby union prospects to follow during the new season

1. Tom Stephenson (Northampton)

The England Under‑20s centre made an immediate impact for the Saints last season, making nine starts and coming off the bench in four matches, including the Premiership final, after one appearance in 2012-13. Comfortable at either 12 or 13, he has pace and power, and passes adeptly.

2. Henry Slade (Exeter)

England are not short of fly-halves but the 21-year-old, named in the Saxons squad at the start of the year, will increase Stuart Lancaster’s options if he kicks on from the second half of last season, when he was preferred to Gareth Steenson by the Chiefs. A 6ft 2in pivot, he has an unruffled air and plays with freedom.

3. Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues)

At 25, Dacey is older then most players dubbed prospects, but it is less than four years since he was converted from back‑row to hooker. A try-scorer in the mould of Alan Phillips, the Cardiff/Wales hooker in the 1970s and 80s, he has the size, at more than 17st, that Wales’s head coach, Warren Gatland, likes, and is highly mobile.

4. Jordi Murphy (Leinster)

The 23-year-old made his Irish senior debut as a replacement against England this year. He was born in Barcelona and named after the city’s patron saint. He can play anywhere in the back row. Renowned for his ubiquity and workrate, his emergence is timely after Stephen Ferris was forced to retire through injury.

5. Adam Ashe (Glasgow)

The 21-year-old made his debut for Scotland against South Africa in June before he had a professional contract. He was in New Zealand on a rugby scholarship when called up but has since signed for Glasgow. A specialist No8, Ashe has the ball-carrying prowess Scotland have lacked in recent years.

Five hot rugby union prospects to follow during the new season