Alongside the Ryder Cup , the Six Nations is one of my sporting favourites. Johnny Sexton is now helping coach Ireland rather than being their fly-half. Sam Prendergast above is another product of the seemingly endless Leinster production line. The year-old fly-half will take comfort from being surrounded by his club team-mates.
Prendergast is still a rookie really. But it helps him no end that for both club and country, he plays in very, very good teams with so much experience around him. The Leinster and Ireland teams are virtually the same, so that cohesion is a big advantage. He is very slight. But what that does give him is a significant running threat which marks him out from his rivals.
His new three-year contract with Sale and the fact he is already impressing at the highest level is a reflection of that promise. England's year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is one of the hottest prospects in rugby. The forward has soared into the England setup at the age of just 20 and is primed to kick on. His involvements are likely to come from the bench, but he is certainly one to watch out for.
Burke has had an excellent start to his club rugby in England with Saracens, his first season playing in the northern hemisphere after moving from the Crusaders. He does the basics very, very well. There is no real show to his game. He just gets on with things and does his job excellently. Burke has been a revelation for Saracens in his first season in northern hemisphere rugby. Burke's path to the No 10 shirt is blocked by Finn Russell, right, so he may start at full back. Burke has plenty of experience in both back-line positions and will surely get game time in his first Six Nations.
Scotland fans have seen their team hit hard by fitness issues and the loss of Tuipulotu is hugely significant. But Burke could help fill the void and provide cause for cheer. I really hope Wales can exit their slumber in this Six Nations because the Championship needs them to be competitive. Reasons for cheer have been in short supply, but in Williams Wales have a serious player.
