The Guinness PRO14 swings back into action this weekend. And with the Rugby World Cup ongoing and some big names missing, there are opportunities available for young guns and rising stars to press their claims. So here is a run down of five names to keep an eye out for at the start of a season where first-team chances are up for grabs. Max Deegan Perhaps somewhat cursed by his own versatility, Max Deegan is yet to nail down his starting position in Leinster’s back row. Equally capable at No.8, blindside and even doing a job at openside at times last season, the former Ireland Under-20s star can stake a real claim this season. With Sean O’Brien gone, Dan Leavy injured and Rhys Ruddock, Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier in Japan, Deegan is all of a sudden one of the senior men in the Leinster back row. Their conveyor belt of flanker talent means they will be well covered, Scott Penny and Will Connors are names on the rise already. But Deegan’s ball carrying and try scoring nous should make him Leinster’s new hero in the opening rounds. Craig Casey One of the stars of Ireland’s historic Grand Slam at Under-20s level earlier this year, Casey should start to climb the senior ranks at the outset of this new campaign. With Conor Murray in Japan, Ireland fans hope for the long haul, Munster are well stocked at No.9 including All Black Alby Mathewson. But Casey’s shining talent demands game time, and Johann van Graan is likely to give it to him – potentially as an impact man off the bench initially. A sniping threat around the fringe, deceptively strong in the tackle and with an impressive left boot – he has a more than an air of Faf de Klerk about him – albeit minus the flowing locks. And after a first senior pre-season, he could make a real impact this year. Stafford McDowalll It is a mark of just how impressive Stafford McDowall’s breakthrough campaign was that he even earned a call-up to Scotland’s training squad during the Guinness Six Nations. An international debut did not arrive, but it is only a matter of time before the powerful centre pulls on the big blue jersey. With Peter Horne and Sam Johnson both in Japan, McDowall will be itching to get into the starting midfield for Glasgow. Alex Dunbar has gone, in no small part due to McDowall’s rise, but there is plenty of competition still. Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Nick Grigg, these are all classy midfielders but none of them pack quite the punch that McDowall does. And fresh from signing a new deal, this could be the big man’s breakout year where he nails down his spot for club and then maybe even country. Corey Baldwin The Scarlets are more hamstrung than any other welsh region by international call-ups in the early goings of this season. And it is in the centres that new head coach Brad Mooar will really feel the pinch initially with Jonathan Davies and Hadleigh Parkes with Wales and Kieron Fonotia with Samoa. But that should open the door to former Wales Under-20 Corey Baldwin. A man with a nose for the try line, he crossed on both his Scarlets and Welsh age-group debuts. Understandably considering the competition, Baldwin has had to bide his time for first-team game time in Llanelli. But now is his chance, and he can be sure he will be ready to take it. Antonio Rizzi Tommaso Allan has called the shots impressively for Benetton for a while now, including guiding them to an historic play-off spot last year. But Allan is in Japan, and while Ian McKinley and new recruit Ian Keatley will challenge for game time, it might be the best chance to properly blood young Antonio Rizzi at fly-half. Known to those who watch international age-group rugby for a while now, Rizzi has been the conductor in chief for a fine Italy Under-20s group that have claimed some decent victories over the last couple of years. But the senior step up is undoubtedly a big one, and while he has appeared largely off the bench for Benetton already and started in pre-season, the real deal is a different kettle of fish. ***Cardiff City Stadium will play host to the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 as one of the most exciting days in the club rugby calendar comes to Wales! General sale tickets are available from http://bit.ly/PRO14Cardiff2020 and prices start at just £13 for concessions and £26 for adults (subject to booking fees), that’s a 15% early bird discount. Family ticket (2 adults / 2 children) prices begin at £64 and fans are encouraged to buy early to get the best value tickets.*
