Now just over a month out from kick-off of the 2024/25 Top 14 season and less than a year away from the British and Irish Lions tour. We decided to take a look at which Lions eligible talent would be available for next year’s tour.
Whilst there were a handful of players in the Pro D2 namely Courtney Lawes and Tomas Francis, we opted to stick for those playing at the very top level.
Here are the top twenty players who are Lions eligible and will be playing their rugby in the Top 14 next season.
Alex Moon – Northampton -> Bayonne
Former Northampton lock Moon was a key member of their Gallagher Premiership winning side last season. The 27-year-old featured in 24 matches for the Saints last season and was mooted as a possible option for Steve Borthwick’s England before agreeing to join Bayonne this summer.
Manu Tuilagi – Sale -> Bayonne
A man who needs no introduction, there is a real argument to be made that when fit Tuilagi was England’s best player of past decade plus. Close to unstoppable in a one-on-one situation, the former Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks centre was the subject of much speculation last season before ultimately joining the fast improving southwest France based club.
Jonny Gray – Exeter -> Bordeaux
Still very much a live option for Scotland, Gray departs Exeter having been a key member of their Premiership and Champions Cup double winning team in 2020. The 30-year-old has 77 Scotland caps to his name since making his debut in 2013 but like his brother Richie has endured some challenging injuries over the years. When fit the 6’5″ and 120kg lock is a dynamic ball carrying presence and a dominant line-out operator.
Joey Carbery – Munster -> Bordeaux
Irish Rugby’s great ‘what if’ player, Carbery was tipped to challenge and ultimately succeed Johnny Sexton as Ireland’s first choice flyhalf. Following a challenging move from Leinster to Munster ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Carbery has sustained a raft of long term injuries which ultimately saw him lose his place in Andy Farrell’s Ireland plans. Despite being usurped by Ben Healy and Jack Crowley at Munster, Carbery has flashed moments of his trademark brilliance when fit and given a chance. Now 28-years-old, there is a real opportunity for the silky smooth playmaker to enjoy a career renaissance in an uber talented Bordeaux squad.
Sam Simmonds – Montpellier
Joining Carbery as ‘what if’ player, the dynamic former Exeter number eight rarely got a look in under former England head coach Eddie Jones. At 6ft and a shade under 110kg, Simmonds packs a serious punch in the carry and is a constant breakdown threat. His ability to operate as a link player was not a skill that appeared to fit with Jones’s game plan but was a key part of Exeter’s ascension to the top of English and European rugby.
Billy Vunipola – Saracens -> Montpellier
The man who routinely key Simmonds out of the England line-up will now link up with him in the south of France. When at the peak of his powers circa 2016-19, Vunipola was among the best number eights in the world. Ultra powerful in the carry and a big time hitter in defence, Vunipola is perfectly suited to the attritional nature of the marathon Top 14 season.
Joel Kpoku – Lyon -> Pau
One of English Rugby’s forgotten men, Joel and his twin brother Jonathan were both products of the Saracens academy and later the senior team before departing for France. The two lock forwards are powerful carriers and line-out options with Jonathan now playing for third division side CS Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Jack Nowell – La Rochelle
Another Exeter Chiefs legend, Nowell linked up with two time European Champions La Rochelle but ultimately saw his first season on the French Atlantic coast come to a premature end with injury. Now set to make his comeback for Ronan O’Gara’s side, the physical carrier will challenge French international Teddy Thomas as well as Springboks Dillyn Leyds and Raymond Rhule for a spot on the wing.
Joe Simmonds – Pau
Completing our list of Exeter icons, the younger Simmonds brother Joe has established himself as a key player for Pau. Starting 23 out of his 24 games for the club last season, the flyhalf was their first choice kicker and conductor of an exciting attacking brand of rugby.
Ben White – Toulon
Scotland’s first choice scrumhalf linked up with his new club when Premiership side London Irish folded last season. At just 26-years-old his best years are certainly still ahead of him and he will once again be a key starter for the former European champions.
Dave Ribbans – Toulon
One of the more surprising off-season moves, the South African born England international joined his lock partner Alex Moon in departing the high flying Saints for the Top 14 powerhouse. Earning eleven caps for England, the 28-year-old felt as though he was close to establishing himself as a consistent international in the 2023 season.
Jack Willis – Toulouse
Undoubtedly the best English player in the Top 14, Willis’s move from the stricken off Wasps to Toulouse has been an instant match for both player and club. Winning the Champions Cup this season and the past two Top 14 titles whilst playing in arguably the best club side in the world, Willis will undoubtedly be a key contributor should the RFU change their selection policy.
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse
Joining Willis as a star British operator in the Toulouse squad, Kinghorn’s form has been so good that he has usurped French international Thomas Ramos as first choice fullback. Capable of playing just about any backline position, Kinghorn’s development in just half a season with Ugo Mola’s squad has been incredible to follow.
Sam James – Sale -> Racing 92
One of the Premiership’s most consistent operators, the 30-year-old Sale Sharks star was one of the club’s best home grown talents over the past decade. Bringing an end to his time with the Manchester based side in favour of a stint in Paris alongside several other high profile English players, the utility back will be a key jigsaw piece for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
Junior Kpoku – Racing 92
Hands down one of the most exciting young English talents, Kpoku returns to Paris fresh off a dominant World Rugby U20 Championship win. Whilst he is currently ineligible for England, it would be highly surprising if plans haven’t already been put in motion to get him back into the English club system in the coming seasons.
Owen Farrell – Saracens -> Racing 92
Joining a star studded Racing 92 side, former England captain Farrell will join Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi in the Parisian side’s quest for Top 14 and European glory. Whilst his departure from English Rugby was a shock at the time, joining an incredibly potent squad could see Farrell put himself front and centre as the first choice Lions flyhalf next season.
Henry Arundell – Racing 92
The 1B to Kpoku’s 1A as one of the key talents that English Rugby will be hoping to lure back from France, the electric winger was a star performer in the Top 14 last season. Scoring ten tries in nineteen matches, the 21-year-old sent a reminder that he is too impressive of a talent to simply let slip away.
Joe Marchant – Stade Francais
Departing English Rugby having established himself as a first choice centre, Marchant is arguably one of England’s biggest losses over the past year. The 28-year-old from Winchester played in all but one of England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup matches before featuring heavily in the centre and on the wing for the Top 14 semi-finalists.
Lewis Ludlam – Northampton -> Toulon
One of Northampton’s star home grown talents departed the club following eight great years with the midlands side. During this period he would earn 19 caps for England and would feature in four of England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup fixtures.
Kyle Sinkcler – Bristol -> Toulon
One of the very best tightheads of the past decade, the former Harlequins and Bristol man is now set to anchor a potent Toulon pack. Joining the likes of Dany Priso, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Beka Gigashvili and Daniel Brennan as prop options for the former European Champions, Sinckler feels like a key piece to get Toulon back to the top of the pile in the Top 14.
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