2. Rio Dyer – Wales
Rio Dyer was flung into the deep end for his Wales debut, yet was certainly able to keep his head above the water. Marking the occasion with a try against the All Blacks in last year’s Autumn Internationals, Dyer has kept moving forward since. The enigmatic young winger scored twice in the 2023 Six Nations, crossing over against France and contributing a key score in Wales’ redemption victory over Italy.
After just eight minutes of play, Dyer showcased his pace and chased after a chipped ball into the back field. The ball bounced favourably for the winger, who reacted faster than the Italian defenders, and cruised in to score. This try built an early lead for Wales, which established early breathing room for an eventual victory and to avoid the wooden spoon.
Wales endured a tough Six Nations competition, yet Dyer can be personally proud of his accomplishments on the international stage. Two tries sees Dyer the joint top try scorer with Liam Williams, and presents how Wales struggled to find go-forward in the championships, but nonetheless Dyer stepped up when called upon by Warren Gatland.
In a squad full of decorated Welsh veterans all entering the twilight of their careers, Gatland must ensure the next generation is in good hands. Dyer is one such talent, as the Newport Dragon is just 23-years-old, and will surely be a shining late in the Welsh attack as he grows into his prime.