Six Nations
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter and Wales)
In October 2021, Christ Tshiunza was introduced to the rugby world. The towering lock was making his BUCS Super Rugby debut for Exeter against Cardiff on the same day he received a Wales call-up for the Autumn International Series. He made his debut against Fiji a month later.
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter and Wales)
2022 was the year of Dafydd Jenkins. He put in a player of the match display to help Exeter to their first BUCS Super Rugby National Championship in April. Then in November, all in the space of a week, he became the youngest captain in Premiership Rugby history when he captained Exeter Chiefs at just 19 years old, and made his debut off the bench for Wales against Georgia.
Aaron Wainwright (Cardiff Met and Wales)
One of the early BUCS Super Rugby exports in this list alongside Negri and Skinner. The former Archer Aaron Wainwright has earned 36 caps for Wales since 2018.
Rhys Davies (Bath and Wales)
The only senior player on this list to have not earnt a cap for his country, former Bath lock Rhys Davies could make his first Welsh appearance in one of the greatest championships in international rugby.
Alex Dombrandt (Cardiff Met and England)
Alex Dombrandt needs no introduction. He has had that A-star quality ever since he stepped onto Cyncoed Campus. In recent years, he has made himself invaluable to Harlequins and England.
Freddie Steward (Loughborough and England)
Earning the 15 shirt for England was a special achievement, but Freddie Steward went one better. After a stellar 2022, he was named in World Rugby's Team of the Year as the best full back.
Sebastian Negri (Hartpury and Italy)
The first man on this list to represent his country. The former Hartpury captain led his side to an infamous league and cup double and picked up a Player of the Season award while he was in the league. His star quality shines off the pitch too; Seb is also widely regarded across the league as one of the nicest and respectful people to play the game.
Stephen Varney (Hartpury and Italy)
The fast-footed Italian scrum-half is already a big talent at the age of 21, and with 15 appearances for his country to his name, the only way is up.
Sam Skinner (Exeter and Scotland)
Our sole representative for Scotland has enjoyed a successful career since leaving the University of Exeter, starting at Exeter Chiefs and now plying his trade at Edinburgh.
U20 Six Nations
Guy Pepper (Durham and England)
The openside flanker has more than played his part in Durham’s league winning campaigns while also starring for Newcastle Falcons since joining their senior academy in 2021.
Rob Carmichael (Nottingham and England)
Standing at 6ft 10in, the lock makes most other rugby players look small. Rob has been instrumental in Nottingham's first season in the league and has deservedly earned himself an international call-up.
Josh Dingley (Bath and England)
Josh Dingley is another one of Bath’s promising young lock’s. At a position that is staked with talent he has made his presence known on the field this season.
Sam Harris (Bath and England)
He's been Bath's playmaker at 10 for most of this season, and they are currently unbeaten with him in the shirt.
Josh Manz (Loughborough and England)
Another giant standing at 6ft 6in, the back-row has been able to show his talent for the African Violet in BUCS Super Rugby and in the Premiership Rugby Cup for Leicester Tigers this season.
Charlie Bracken (Loughborough and England)
The young scrum-half will hope to follow in the footsteps of his famous scrum-half father Kyran Bracken. He has started his career well with good performances in BUCS Super Rugby and when he has come off the bench for Saracens in two of their Premiership Rugby Cup games.
Finn Carnduff (Loughborough and England)
Out of the three Loughborough players in the England squad, we have seen the most from this lock/back-row. At just 18 years old and standing at 6ft 4in tall, Finn is a force to reckoned with.
Danny Eite (Hartpury and England)
The young lock was a key comparment of Dan Murphy's forward pack during the 2021-22 season making 17 appearances, starting 16 games.
Tom Caple (Cardiff and Wales)
Since round six of this season, Caple has been a frequent starter in the back-row for the Welsh outfit. Consistent good form has earned him a spot in Welsh U20 squad.
Gwilym Evans (Cardiff and Wales)
Lining up alongside Caple in the Cardiff back-row on many occasions, Evans was a part of the squads that shocked Durham and Exeter earlier this season.
Louie Hennessey (Bath and Wales)
The centre has played at both inside and outside this season, and has more than played his part in Bath's rise up the table.
Harri Williams (Swansea and Wales)
The nifty Scarlets academy product has been an entertaining watch at scrum-half this season and should be able to bring that excitement to the U20 Six Nations.
Llien Morgan (Swansea and Wales)
The Swans winger started the first 10 games of this season scoring two tries in the process. He’ll be hoping to add to his try scoring tally on the season for his country over the next month.
Kian Abraham (Swansea and Wales)
Working with Llien in the back three for the majority of the season has been Kian Abraham. He has started seven games also scoring two tries along the way.
Isaac Young (Swansea and Wales)
In BUCS Super Rugby it doesn’t hurt to be a hooker, just ask Fred Davies and Tom Doughty, number one and two in the all-time top try scoring ranks. Isaac is a promising young hooker to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
Tom Florence (Swansea and Wales)
Another Swans speedster gracing the international stage for Wales. Most notably in his BUCS Super Rugby career, Florence more than played his part in Swansea’s epic six game win streak at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Eddie Erskine (Bath and Scotland)
A product of Millfield's school team that went the whole season undefeated in 2021-22, Eddie Erskine has been a key cog to the Bath pack this season when available.
Ewan Guy (Cardiff Met and Scotland)
The Archers forward has made eight appearances in the league this season, winning five and losing three. He was part of the squad that beat Hartpury by just one point at Kingsholm Stadium back in November.
National Performance Manager Michael Collins comments on the strength of university rugby; “The incredible amount of players who have been selected to represent their country at this year’s senior and U20 men’s Six Nations Championships is nothing short of impressive. Not only is it a personal career milestone for these players, it is also another incredible opportunity to talk about the talent pathway of university rugby.
The rugby world is continuing to realise the potential of players who have had experience playing in BUCS Super Rugby and see that playing at the top tier of men’s university rugby union is a perfect place to develop into a professional athlete.”
It is fantastic to see the BUCS Super Rugby pathway continue to provide a fantastic stepping stone to international rugby whether it be at a senior or age-group level. These call-ups are firmly cementing the league’s prominent position as one of the top feeders into the professional game.
We wish the very best of luck to the 27 players who have been chosen to represent their country at this year's Six Nations and U20 Six Nations. We're looking forward to watching them all in action.
