Six Nations players: 5 who could shine in 2022

He emerged via the Welsh grassroots club game at Talywain and Cross Keys, and 22-year-old Basham has risen to every challenge so far in his career.

With Tipuric set to miss the entire Six Nations through a shoulder injury suffered last summer, Basham knows he will need to step up again.

Ewan Ashman (Scotland)

Canada-born hooker Ashman qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born father and the 21-year-old has wasted no time making an impact at international level.

He announced his arrival in the representative game by finishing the World Under-20 Championship in 2019 as top try-scorer, and he has gone on to develop under the expert tutelage of Alex Sanderson and Dorian West at Sale.

He scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in November after going on as a replacement, and he unquestionably adds another quality front-row option for Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.

Michael Lowry (Ireland)

Ulster full-back Lowry has excelled in the Heineken Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship this season, thrilling audiences through his virtuoso attacking skills and try-scoring ability.

The 23-year-old possesses blistering pace and running angles which enable him to often unlock the tightest of opposition defences.

Yet to be handed a chance to showcase his quality in the Test match arena, but that opportunity could arrive during the Six Nations after head coach Andy Farrell named him among a 37-man squad for the tournament.

Lowry is pure box-office  and he also offers Farrell an option at fly-half, making him one of the most important Six Nations players in 2022.

Antoine Dupont (France)

France scrum-half Dupont, the current world player of the year, will enter this season’s Six Nations firmly established as a modern-day great of the game.

He has proved instrumental to Les Bleus’ resurgence under head coach Fabien Galthie and is a major reason why France are the favourites in the Six Nations winner odds.

Six Nations silverware has eluded France since 2010, yet they underlined strong credentials through a spectacular 40-25 victory over New Zealand earlier this season.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication