PREM Rugby: 5 Young England hopefuls to Watch for 2025/26 season

Every season in the Prem, stars are made following break-out campaigns that set the league on fire. In this article we're taking a look at five young talents that will be lighting up the competition, as we pick the top rated young guns from across the country.

These five stars will want to make their mark in their club colours as soon as possible, to better their chances for a call-up into the England squad for the Autumn Nations Series or the 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations. The proving ground starts now, as the path to wearing the rose commences this weekend.

Ben Redshaw is one of England’s most exciting young back-three talents, and at just 20-years-old, he has already amassed a wealth of experience across club and country. A product of Sedbergh School, Redshaw came through the Newcastle Falcons Academy, making his first-team debut in 2023 against Bedford Blues in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Over the next two seasons, Redshaw featured 21 times for the Falcons, scoring four tries and earning the club’s Academy Player of the Year and Try of the Season awards for the 2023/24 season.

Internationally, Redshaw has been a consistent presence in England age-grade squads. The former Falcon represented the U18s through two Six Nations campaigns, captaining on multiple occasions, before making the step up to U19s and U20s. Redshaw was integral to England’s 2024 Six Nations Under-20s Championship triumph, scoring a try in the decisive final round win over France.

Later that year, Redshaw featured in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa, scoring against Argentina in the pool stages before injury ruled him out of the final, which England went on to win. Ahead of the 2025/26 Premiership season, Redshaw made the move to Gloucester Rugby. Director of Rugby George Skivington described Redshaw as “one of the most highly rated young players in the country and widely regarded as a future first-team international.”

Redshaw is equally excited about the move down to the West Country: “The style of rugby that Gloucester are playing really suits my game, and I’m excited to be part of it. I think it’s the perfect environment for me to continue my development.”

With blistering pace, a keen eye for the try line, and an England U20 World Championship medal in his cabinet, Redshaw is a name that Prem Rugby fans will be hearing plenty of this season. At Gloucester, he has the platform to become a regular fixture in the top flight and a future contender for the senior England squad.

Ben Coen is already turning heads as one of England’s most promising fly-halves, and at just 20 years old, the Exeter Chiefs prodigy is showing signs of becoming a commanding presence at both club and international level. Born in Bristol and raised in Teignmouth, Coen began playing rugby at Teignmouth RFC, idolising England legends Jonny Wilkinson and Owen Farrell, as well as drawing inspiration from his father, a former Worcester Warriors player.

A standout performer at Blundell’s School, he went on to study Economics at Exeter University while simultaneously excelling in BUCS Super Rugby, making 14 appearances in the 2023/24 season. Coen signed his first professional contract with Exeter Chiefs in the summer of 2024, and quickly made an impact.

He earned his first senior start in the Premiership Rugby Cup quarterfinals against Sale Sharks on 1 March 2025, guiding his side to a 50-14 victory with a composed and incisive performance. He made his Gallagher Premiership debut shortly after against Bristol Bears, signalling that Exeter see him as a key part of their long-term plans.

Internationally, Coen has steadily climbed the England age-grade ranks. He made his England U19 debut in April 2024 against France before becoming a central figure in England U20’s World Rugby U20 Championship triumph in South Africa later that year. Coen featured prominently in the 2025 U20 Six Nations, starting four of England’s matches, and was named in Mark Mapletoft’s squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, ensuring his development continues on the international stage.

Known for his tactical awareness, precise kicking game, and ability to control the tempo, Coen has all the tools to evolve into a Premier League and England regular. With Exeter Chiefs eager to develop their next generation of playmakers, the 20-year-old fly-half is a talent to watch closely this season, capable of orchestrating games and inspiring those around him at the highest level.

At just 20-years-old, Henry Pollock had a game-changing season throughout 2024/25. He exploded onto the scene with a meteoric rise at Northampton, as the back row bagged crucial tries in the Saints' run to the Investec Champions Cup Final. Just one month after playing his final match for the England U20s, Pollock was called up for his senior England debut for a star-making performance against Wales, in which scored two tries in the closing round of the 2025 Six Nations.

Pollock's trajectory continued at an insane pace, as Andy Farrell revealed Pollock as the youngest member of the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia in the Summer. Pollock looked after 'Bil' the Lion teddy for best part of eight weeks and made five non-test appearances despite managing a calf injury. Pollock's Lions Test cap took place against Argentina, as Los Pumas stunned Farrell's side with an upset in Dublin.

Despite being quite the newcomer to the international stage, Pollock brought his personal swagger to the iconic Lions jersey and made the headlines with his never-back-down attitude. A stand-out moment from the trip 'down under' saw Pollock square up against experienced Wallabies back row Seru Uru, with a war of words before Pollock grabbed at Uru's scrum cap and the two jostled to the deck, as the Lions took on a Pasifika & First Nations XV.

Now, Pollock turns his attention back to the Saints, as Northampton are eager for a better league campaign that last time out. The East Midlanders finished eighth despite their impressive European ventures, with Pollock a pivotal figure in Phil Dowson's plans. The 20-year-old will also be eyeing up a return to the England squad, to add to his sole cap in the upcoming Autumn.

There is an understandable amount of excitement behind the blistering back row, who embarks on a new chapter as an established PREM Rugby superstar. With his trademark taste for an eye-catching celebration, expect Pollock to be hitting the 'check my pulse' pose or pulling out a new viral move before too long in the upcoming PREM season.

Rugby runs in Charlie Bracken’s blood. The 20-year-old Saracens scrum-half is the son of former England star and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Kyran Bracken, and he has already begun carving out his own path at both club and international level. From his earliest days playing at Barnet Rugby Club, Bracken displayed the composure and vision that have become hallmarks of his game.

Bracken joined the Saracens Academy at 14, steadily rising through the ranks, while balancing his studies at St. Albans School and later Loughborough University. Bracken made his senior debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Wasps in March 2022 and has since become a reliable presence in Saracens’ senior academy setup, occasionally featuring in first-team fixtures.

Known for his quick delivery, tactical nous, and game management, he has been earmarked as one of England’s most promising young scrum-halves. Internationally, Bracken has represented England at U18 and U20 level, featuring in both the Six Nations Under 20s Championship and the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship, where he scored in a pool-stage draw against Australia.

His leadership, maturity, and rugby IQ were further rewarded in June 2025, when he was called up to a senior England training camp by Steve Borthwick, underlining the national selectors’ faith in his potential. Rugby talent clearly runs in the family: Charlie’s younger brother, Jack Bracken, is also making waves at Saracens as a versatile back capable of playing wing or full-back.

The siblings shared a special moment recently when they both started their first Premiership Rugby Cup match together against Leicester Tigers, a historic family milestone that highlighted the Bracken legacy at Saracens. With Jack’s speed and finishing ability complementing Charlie’s game management, the pair could form one of the most exciting young combinations in English rugby in the seasons ahead.

A natural competitor with the instincts of a seasoned playmaker, Charlie Bracken combines pedigree with modern dynamism. With Saracens keen to integrate him more consistently into their first team, the 20-year-old is poised for a breakout season in the Premiership, all while keeping one eye on England honours.

Kepu Tuipulotu is a 20-year-old hooker who is making waves at Bath Rugby and in the England pathway. Born in Pontypool, Wales, to Tongan parents, Tuipulotu grew up surrounded by rugby talent. His father, Sione Tuipulotu, won 29 caps for Tonga and played in Wales for Caerphilly RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons, while his sister, Sisilia Tuipulotu, is a Wales Women international.

Kepu's extended family includes Test match veterans Billy and Mako Vunipola, Taulupe Faletau, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, and cousin Carwyn Tuipulotu, currently with Pau. “I love having them tear up in their own way, and as a young player I can take parts of their game and put it into mine,” Kepu said of his rugby family.

Tuipulotu began playing rugby at the age of 10 and was developed through the London Irish academy, helping the Exiles under-18s win the Premiership Rugby Academy U18 League title in 2023. Tuipulotu attended Caldicott Prep School and Harrow School, where he captained the first XV, before going on to represent the University of Bath in BUCS Super Rugby, scoring a try on his debut in September 2024.

Tuipulotu joined Bath ahead of the 2024/25 season and made an immediate impression, scoring a first-half hat-trick on his professional debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Ampthill. The hooker has since featured in both the Investec Champions Cup and Premiership matches, including his league debut against Northampton Saints.

A modern hooker, Tuipulotu combines raw Pacific Island power with speed and skill. Kepu is equally capable in set pieces, throwing accurate line-outs and establishing scrum dominance, as he is in open play. Tuipulotu carries the ball at an impressive pace and even executes tactical grubber kicks, after being given a ' forward's kicking license' from a coach at Harrow School.

Internationally, Tuipulotu chose to represent England despite his Welsh birthplace and Tongan heritage, a decision he stands by: “I wanted to finish my academics and focus on rugby after that. I was already going through the England pathway. I feel like I’ve made the right decision.”

Tuipulotu made his England U18 debut in 2023, scoring in his first start, and toured South Africa with the side. The front row prospect starred for the England U20s, earning Man of the Match in a 57–13 win over Scotland during the 2025 U20 Six Nations, and was named in the squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. Tuipulotu has also trained with the England senior squad, learning from hookers Jamie George and Theo Dan.