With the 25th edition of the Six Nations around the corner, we’ve taken a look at the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup stars set to shine for Ireland, France, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy, including Leinster’s Sam Prendergast, Union Bordeaux-Bègles’ Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud, Stade Toulousain’s Blair Kinghorn and Ange Capuozzo, Saracens’ Maro Itoje and more.
With the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stages coming to their habitually dramatic close and the 2025 Six Nations rapidly approaching, we've taken a look at the stars from club rugby’s greatest tournament who will be looking to shine for their countries across the next couple of months.
Scotland
World Ranking: 6th
Six Nations 2024 result: 4th
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Rory Darge and Finn Russell
Ones to watch: Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn
Despite Gregor Townsend’s squad selection being affected by a flurry of injury concerns, including captain and Glasgow Warriors stalwart Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland will be hopeful of causing damage throughout this year’s Six Nations.
Having impressed in performances during last year’s Autumn Nations Series, the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup have proved to be the icing on the preparation cake as only a win will do for the Bravehearts on matchday 1.
With flagship names such as Bath Rugby’s Finn Russell, Stade Toulousain’s Blair Kinghorn and Glasgow Warriors’ George Horne coming into their own with some standout performances throughout the Investec Champions Cup pool stages, the EPCR Challenge Cup has proved the perfect stage for Duhan van der Merwe to shine in the build-up to the Six Nations.
Scoring in each of his appearances for Edinburgh Rugby in the pool stages, the big winger will be keen to bring his club form to the international stage as always.
Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Alexander Masibaka, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge (c), Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Patrick Harrison, Will Hurd, Jack Mann, D’Arcy Rae, Dylan Richardson, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, Marshall Sykes.
Backs: Fergus Burke, Matt Currie, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Finn Russell (c), Kyle Rowe, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.