Brian O’Driscoll has just picked what he considers are the best five youngsters in the northern hemisphere.
His list contains some predictably excellent talents, headed by Romain Ntamack and followed by Marcus Smith, Taine Basham, Ange Capuozzo and Dan Sheehan.
What of the best 15 youngsters who are 23 or under in Wales? Basham needs to be included — of course he does — and there are others such as Theo Cabango and Kemsley Mathias who would be there or thereabouts if we were considering 20 names.
READ MORE: Brian O'Driscoll's top five young players in world rugby
But we've gone with a top 15 of players who have won 10 caps or fewer for Wales. We think it includes some very good players, young guns who will be lighting up our game in years to come.
15. Sam Costelow (Scarlets)
The No.10 appears to be getting there, with arguably his best game in a Scarlets’ jersey coming last weekend, Costelow piloting his side to victory against Cardiff. He has pace and poses a running threat and is developing his game-control.
The Pencoed-raised player is also willing to front up in defence. Aspects of his game still need shining up, but he’s undoubtedly a prospect.
14. Will Griffiths (Ospreys)
“A hell of a player” Dan Lydiate called him last year, an endorsement that counts for a lot coming from a player who’s been playing senior rugby for a decade and a half and has figured for Wales and the Lions. Griffiths can play at blindside and lock and can be relied on to keep going from gun to tape.
Not only is the 6ft 4in, 16st 10lb forward’s versatility a plus, he also contests ball at the breakdown, provides a line-out option and stacks up big numbers in defence.
13. Ben Thomas (Cardiff)
Already capped by Wales, he’s a footballer with the potential to be a playmaking 12 for Wales going forward. The skilful and versatile Thomas is still adapting senior rugby, but he has vision and spots space that others are often blind to.
It was from his clever and beautifully flighted kick that Josh Adams scored against the Scarlets a week ago.
12. Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets)
The hard-running wing from Saundersfoot is having his best season for the Scarlets. With his low-centre of gravity he is hard to stop and has developed into a fine finisher. The more touches he has, the more tries that will come his way.
11. Tom Rogers (Scarlets)
Another wing flier, he’s been out in the Wales wilderness since winning caps last summer. Hindsight suggests his call came too soon. To his credit, he has worked hard at his game.
When he makes a mistake he immediately looks to correct it, adding a significant counter-rucking dimension to his game. Last week he gave a largely impressive account of himself against Josh Adams. He’s young enough, and good enough, to win more Wales caps.
10. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
Still early days for the Exeter player, but Jenkins is on the radar screens of selectors in Wales with a chance he could tour South Africa this summer, albeit such an exercise would presumably be to pick up experience. At 6ft 7in, the teenager packs a lineout presence and is athletic around the field and wins turnovers. He’s a modern lock who has every chance of coming through. You can read more about him here.
9. Tommy Reffell
Openside Reffell went through a spell early in the season when he appeared to be there or thereabouts for the Leicester man-of-the-match award every week. Without having too many Hollywood moments with ball in hand, he is a scrapper who steals possession and never shirks in defence, with 180 tackles against his name this term.
8. Harri Deaves (Ospreys)
Another openside, so cut to the United Rugby Championship game between Leinster and the Ospreys in February. Dominating territory and possession the Irish province should have won by a cricket score, but their Welsh opponents dug in with a remarkable defensive display that saw them make 195 successful tackles. No one did more for the cause than Deaves, with 25 hits. He isn't the biggest, but, as they say, it's not so much the size of dog in the fight that matters as the size of the fight in the dog. The youngster from Pontyclun's a terrier.
At one point he chased 80 metres to try to put in a tackle. He also made 11 carries for 40 metres. Really, he should have been man of the match.
Quick over the ball and industrious in every game, everything points to a huge career for man who sports a yellow head-guard.
7. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs)
There are already two senior Wales caps in his cabinet at home. More will follow. The 6ft 6in, 17st 7lb Tshiunza is a hybrid player, capable of playing second row or back-row, and playing well, too.
The early evidence points to physicality and power that makes him hard to stop with ball in hand, but Tshiunza can also stop moves dead with uncompromising tackling. While injuries have blighted him this season, he is destined to be a force.
6. Morgan Morris (Ospreys)
Not many more players have been more consistent in Welsh rugby this season than Morris, whether the Ospreys man has been playing at openside flanker or No. 8. He has helped give his team a threat at the breakdown, he’s a barricade in defence and he also makes ground with ball in hand, and for a side who are not stacked with forward carriers, that’s a significant plus.
It isn’t altogether certain the Welsh selectors are aware that he exists. Perhaps Wayne Pivac ought to tell him what he needs to do to improve as a player.
5. Ben Carter (Dragons)
It’s been a strange old year for the Dragons second row. Man of the match on his Wales debut against Canada last summer, he quickly learned that Test rugby can pose far sterner challenges. In fairness, he is only 21, still acquiring the physicality needed to compete at the upper end of the game.
His potential remains undiminished, with the Dragon a player who has a big work ethic and a wide skill-set.
4. Ioan Lloyd (Bristol)
There is no doubt the Bristol Bears utility back has the ‘wow’ factor. Indeed, in barely half-an-hour on the pitch against the Scarlets earlier this season, he outshone Semi Radradra. If that doesn’t satisfy the criteria for being a ‘wow’ player, then it’s hard to know what does.
Lloyd has an abundance of tricks in his game that can make him a nightmare to defend against. Questions do remain, though: Which is his best position? Is his defence up to scratch for Test rugby? But what isn’t in doubt is Lloyd’s raw ability. At 21, he is a big talent.
3. Taine Basham (Dragons)
Here’s another player not shy of coming up with the occasional Hollywood moment. O’Driscoll picked him as one of his best five young players in the northern hemisphere, but Basham lost his place in the Wales starting line-up as the Six Nations unfolded. With his ability to impose himself on games, though, and shine in any company, he will be back.
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys)
Still only one start for Wales on the board, but there will be many more. Lake came through the Six Nations with his reputation enhanced and he makes a mark close on every time he takes the field. Even against Italy, amid a dreadful team performance, he stood out. The 6ft 1in, 17st 4lb hooker is a unit with power to spare, but he’s also adept at pilfering opposition ball, prides himself on his defence and relishes taking play forward. With his lineout throwing improving, he has limitless potential.
1. Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
How good was Jac Morgan against the Stormers last weekend? As good as he has been in most games for the Ospreys this season. He heads the United Rugby Championship turnover count with 16, and despite missing several matches owing to Wales commitments he’s in the top five tacklers as well.
That he’s been one of the top players in Welsh rugby this season isn’t in doubt, and he’s still only 22. He has the physicality, discipline, mindset and skill to be a major player for years.
