Six Nations Countdown: Four players who debuted at the age of 18

Six Nations Countdown: Four players who debuted at the age of 18

As the countdown to the kick off of the 2023 Six Nations continues, we find ourselves just 18 days out from the action. Today we take a look at four players who made their championship debuts at the tender age of 18.

1. Tom Prydie (Wales,) 18yrs & 25 days

Tom Prydie on the comeback trail

Also Wales youngest try scorer, Prydie was named on the wing in the starting team for Wales’ final 2010 Six Nations match against Italy and became the youngest cap in Wales’ rugby history. In June 2010 Prydie became Wales’ youngest try scorer at 18 years and 102 days against South Africa.

2. Tom Curry (England), 18yrs & 314 days


Six Nations: Tom Curry rejects criticism of England campaign and says it's  'never going to be perfect' | The Independent

Making his England debut five days before his 19th birthday, against Argentina in 2017, Curry became England’s youngest forward since 1912. In that period, only Jonny Wilkinson debuted for the country at a younger age.


3. Jonny Wilkinson (England), 18 years & 314 days

On This Day: Jonny Wilkinson made his England debut... on the wing

Wilkinson was the second-youngest England debutant in history when he made his international debut against Ireland on 4 April 1998. Wilkinson made four appearances in the 1999 Five Nations, scoring 60 points, after which Italy joined the competition to complete the Championship line-up as it stands today.

4. Matthew Tait (England), 18 years. & 363 days

 Six Nations Rugby | Tait announces retirement from rugby

Tait gained media attention when Andy Robinson named him in the England starting XV for their opening 2005 Six Nations Championship game against Wales on 5 February. England lost that match 11–9. 

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