Every week in the GUINNESS PRO12, hundreds of RBS 6 Nations hopefuls go head-to-head in a bid to power their clubs up the table and catch the eye of their national coach.
Only a fortunate few are chosen alongside the icons of their generation to compete for the coveted trophy and we are here to pick one player from each GUINNESS PRO12 team worth keeping an eye on this spring.
Connacht - Kieran Marmion
It's been a while since an Irish scrum-half came through at Test level, with Conor Murray now well-established and having relied on experienced back-ups in the shape of Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss in recent seasons. Marmion has been the heir apparent for a while now, and but for unfortunate injuries, might have broken through sooner. However with Connacht flying high in the GUINNESS PRO12, the scrum-half gets his shot off the bench against Wales in the opening game.
Leinster - Jack McGrath
The Leinster loosehead isn't lacking experience, having filled the No.1 jersey in Cian Healy's absence last season. Healy is unavailable for the start of the tournament again this year but McGrath has been so impressive that he must be close to first choice regardless. Starting alongside new skipper Rory Best, he will be a key figure if Ireland are to make it three on the spin.
Munster - CJ Stander
It's been a long time coming, but now that he's eligible for Ireland, CJ Stander has to wait no more for a taste of international rugby. While Munster have endured an up and down season, their South African-born skipper has led by example, both in carrying the ball and with his work at the breakdown. Ireland are not short of options in the back-row, but with his versatility, Stander comes straight into the starting line-up to face Wales, filling in for the injured Sean O'Brien.
Ulster - Stuart McCloskey
A breakthrough season last year saw Stuart McCloskey become the latest centre to come off the Ulster conveyor belt. A rare combination of size and quick feet, he's beaten more defenders than any other player in the Champions Cup this season (26). As a result he was named as part of Joe Schmidt's Six Nations squad and though Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne are established as the first choice midfield, don't be surprised if McCloskey forces his way into the conversation.
Cardiff Blues - Tom James
At age 22, Cardiff Blues' Tom James looked like he was going to be a long-term option for Wales on the wing, having already racked up ten caps and a couple of tries along the way. Amazingly he's since gone six years without being capped and spent a couple of seasons away at Exeter Chiefs, before returning to the Welsh capital in the summer. A fantastic start to the season has earned him a recall from Warren Gatland, and his four tries in seven GUINNESS PRO12 games was enough to get that elusive 11th cap.
Newport Gwent Dragons - Hallam Amos
Tom James' rival for a winger's spot, Hallam Amos looked set to be a star at the World Cup before injury against England signalled a premature end to his tournament. He made a mark on his return from shoulder injury with a try inside a minute against Castres and while he hasn't quite proved his fitness, his efforts against Ulster yesterday showed he's not far off. He's certainly a long-term option, the question is, can he force his way back into Gatland's plans in this tournament?
Ospreys - Scott Baldwin
Scott Baldwin had a 100th Ospreys appearance to remember last month when they came from behind to beat Clermont Auvergne in a fantastic night for the Welsh region. Now established as a regular in the Welsh front row, his importance was underlined in November when he signed a dual contract with the region and the WRU. While the hooker position is one where there is plenty of competition in Wales, Baldwin will hope to prove that he deserves to be Gatland's starter and gets first crack of the whip against Ireland.
Scarlets - Aled Davies
The only uncapped member of the Wales squad, Aled Davies is proof that despite Gatland's love of continuity, there is always space for someone to break through. The Scarlets scrum-half took advantage of the absence of Gareth Davies at the start of the season to get some game time under his belt, and has done enough to convince Gatland and backs coach Rob Howley of his worth. It's reward for the hard work he has put in, having come back from playing in the Welsh Premiership to become a regular at regional level.
Edinburgh - John Hardie
One of the more experienced members of our players to watch, John Hardie will play his first international at BT Murrayfield when the RBS 6 Nations kicks off. The Kiwi-born openside has taken to Test rugby like a duck to water, and has continued that form with Edinburgh. As a result BT Murrayfield shouldn't intimidate him, and under Vern Cotter he will likely play a major role for the Scots. After their winless championship a year ago, Hardie will be keen to help them do much better this time around.
Glasgow Warriors - Zander Fagerson
The headlines from Cotter's squad selection came in the front row where he plumped for two uncapped props. Having just turned 20, Fagerson will be one of the youngest players in the tournament, but has stepped up at every level so far in his career. A powerful scrummager, he is also very dynamic around the park, making more metres than any other prop so far in Europe this season. While WP Nel is established as Scotland's first choice tighthead, Fagerson should get his chance to shine off the bench during the tournament.
Benetton Treviso - Matteo Zanusso
Still only 22, Matteo Zanusso has a great chance to make his breakthrough in this year's Championship for Italy. The loosehead prop has already made 34 appearances for Treviso and will cover for fellow uncapped prop Andrea Lovotti in Jacques Brunel's team for the opening game. While Treviso have struggled for results so far this season, Zanusso has managed to shine, notably picking up the man-of-the-match award in the heartbreaking derby loss to Zebre when he managed a try as well as dominating at scrum-time.
Zebre - Dries van Schalkwyk
Arguably Zebre's stand-out player over the last two seasons, the South African-born Dries van Schalkwyk should make his international bow during the RBS 6 Nations opener against France. On the bench in Paris, with skipper and Italy legend Sergio Parisse in place at No.8, his ball-carrying will certainly appeal to Brunel if Italy need to freshen things up. He already has 14 tries in three and a half seasons in Italy, and will hope to carry that try-scoring form onto the Test stage if he's given the chance.
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