Flanker: Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons)
Back-row forward Will Welch became the Falcons youngest ever club captain in 2012 when, at the age of 22, he took on the leadership role. Skippering the side to the Championship title in his first season he has since led them in the Premiership, where his tireless work ethic and relentless tackling have marked him as a stand-out performer.
Flanker: Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester)
The 23-year-old flanker is way out on his own at the top of the Premiership tackle chart this season, making a whopping 202 from 12 games having established himself as Gloucester’s first choice number seven. Ludlow has represented England at youth level but also qualifies to play for Wales through his grandfather. He is yet to receive an England call-up at senior level and was overlooked for the latest squad.
Number 8: Jackson Wray (Saracens)
A powerful, hard-hitting ball carrier, Jackson Wray is another highly skilled graduate of the Saracens academy who has gone on to achieve success at the senior level. With multiple Premierships and back-to-back Champions Cup medals, he’s probably one of the most successful club players never to play for England.