TryGOLD- Free

The stars who could set this season’s Six Nations alight
The Independent|January 29, 2025
The Independent’s writers pick six players with potential
- LUKE BAKER HARRY LATHAM-COYLE
The stars who could set this season’s Six Nations alight

Hope springs eternal as the Six Nations sides renew hostilities in rugby’s grandest old championship.

Another competitive edition of the tournament looks likely in 2025 with questions for each and every one of the competing sextet, and with the fixtures given an extra edge in a British and Irish Lions year.

A fresh crop of new faces just taking their first steps on the international stage will be out to make their mark over the next few weeks, with places on the plane to Australia perhaps up for grabs for those eligible.

There will be plenty of excitement around France and Italy, too, as the pair continue to unearth new talent.

Having won a solitary France cap in each of the years from 2019 to 2021, he isn’t a complete international rugby novice, but the 2025 version of Pierre-Louis Barassi is a different proposition to the man who received a taste of what it was like to represent Les Bleus a half-decade ago. The 26-year-old centre has always been a tackle-breaker and explosive attacker since his Lyon days but a 2022 move to Toulouse has eventually helped him move up a gear.

Injuries and physical issues slightly blighted his early days in the Pink City but he has been sensational for the European champions this season. His decision-making has improved dramatically and he now provides another playmaking option outside Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack when playing at 12 or 13 for his club. France’s midfield injuries have Barassi set for a run at 13 this Six Nations and having excelled for a Toulouse side that are basically a Test team, there’s no reason his success shouldn’t translate to the international stage, especially given the Dupont-Ntamack continuity inside him.

This story is from the January 29, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 29, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas
The Independent

The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas

Emilia Perez controversy fails to overshadow the event

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks
The Independent

Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks

A senior White House team is heading to Saudi Arabia ahead of possible peace talks on Ukraine amid consternation that the country is being left out of negotiations over its own future.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss
The Independent

'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss

A retired head of nursing at Lucy Letby's hospital has said the convicted killer is innocent, describing meetings with the nurse who \"cried in my arms\".

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine
The Independent

Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is willing to put British troops \"in harm's way\" on the ground in Ukraine to face down Vladimir Putin's forces.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine
The Independent

Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about his recent phone call with Donald Trump and his stance on a possible peace agreement with Russia during an interview on US television yesterday.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'
The Independent

'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'

Amani Ahmed left Gaza as war broke out and was apart from family for months. She tells Alex Croft about life in the UK

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'
The Independent

'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'

Leroy Douglas begs for freedom, describing his indefinite term as 'cripplingly cruel' as he nears 20 years behind bars

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025
FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history
The Independent

FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history

The FBI and US Department of Justice have agreed to help UK police investigate Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.

time-read
1 min  |
February 17, 2025
'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'
The Independent

'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'

Former Man United star Jesse Lingard tells Miguel Delaney about leaving his boyhood club, ‘what might have been’ with England, and how life at FC Seoul has revitalised his career

time-read
5 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash
The Independent

Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash

Towards the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, with the game still in the balance, both Brennan Johnson and Patrick Dorgu lost theirs.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more