The players to look out for during November’s international fixtures
Ahead of the remaining nations kicking off their autumn campaigns this weekend, Telegraph Sport columnist Warren Gatland picks out 11 players who he plans to pay close attention to over the coming weeks.
Barrett at inside centre. He had a pretty good game there against Australia in the Rugby Championship and they want to see more of that combination with Rieko Ioane and develop it. Jordie is a big man so they will use him to get across the gain-line, he has a big boot on him as well so they can kick at second receiver a reasonable amount too. He played a few games at 12 for the Hurricanes this year and defensively had some work to do shooting out of the line, but the All Blacks will have worked pretty hard on that with him.
He’s the best player in the world, isn’t he? The thing I love about him is that everyone talks about his attacking game and how strong he is, his support play and finishing, but under Shaun Edwards he has a license at lineouts to shoot out of the line and make good defensive decisions, comfortably flying up and putting in big hits. He is such a key component for France with how they play, the balance between their power runners and then moving the ball. He is a player people go to watch and has developed over a number of years into becoming the world’s best.
Has really grown in the last year or so. His game has gone to a new level. He’s the real modern day prop: strong in the set-piece but has that carrying game and great mobility around the park. The role of props has definitely changed in the last five years. You have to be mobile, and Genge has fulfilled that role exceptionally well. I’ve been really impressed with how his game has continued to improve and the fact he’s a candidate for the England captaincy. It’s brilliant to see the way he has settled down and matured. Hats off to him.