#2. Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
Pepper joined Newcastle Falcons’ senior academy in the summer of 2021, having come through the junior academy.
Born in Harrogate, Guy has been a regular in the England age-grade teams. The traditional openside flanker has been mentored by England legend Richard Hill and starred in the 2020 Academy Under-18s League campaign.
He made his first A-Team appearance against Sale Jets in April 2021, and is studying at Durham University.
Pepper enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022-23, bursting onto the first-team scene after impressing on his debut away at Northampton in October 2022, starting the following weekend when the Falcons won at Gloucester.
Pepper scored three tries in seven games before a season-ending foot injury cut short his campaign, but his ability by that stage was plain to see.
