Aviva Premiership Rugby’s five breakthrough stars of 2017 - Page 5 of 5 - Ruck

Aviva Premiership Rugby’s five breakthrough stars of 2017

Nick Isiekwe

The 19-year-old Isiekwe made two appearances last season but a call-up to Eddie Jones’ experimental England squad in Argentina this summer has helped this young lock go from strength-to-strength.

Already likened to Saracens teammate Maro Itoje, Isiekwe has made a similarly fast start to his career at Allianz Park and already looks at home at the highest level.

This season he came off the bench against Northampton Saints and Bath, and since then Isiekwe has been a regular fixture since starting against the Newcastle Falcons in Philadelphia.

Isiekwe has won 25 lineouts so far this season, putting him just behind George Kruis in the Saracens side.

A pair of England caps is an exciting start of things to come for this 6ft7ins giant who has the likes of Itoje and Kruis as worthy mentors as he continues his development.