Players to impress at home during the Six Nations

A lot of the focus in the next two months is going to be, understandably, on the Six Nations. With all eyes on the English response to a disappointing end to 2011 and the new look squad.

The other aspect of any international period is the players who aren’t representing their country but are still playing week in, week out for their clubs. We have all seen the success stories for players recently like Brad Barritt, Mike Brown and Callum Clark who all excelled on home soil during the World Cup, and have been rewarded with EPS call ups. Not to mention Chris Robshaw, whose omission at the World Cup may have inadvertently led to him captaining the side in their next campaign.

So, I have had a look through some of the hardest hit Aviva Premiership clubs and picked some players who could well make some headlines throughout February and March.

If Jordan Turner-Hall manages to work his way into inside centre for England, a position which is there for the taking at the moment, Tom Casson may get his chance to shine at Quins. From what i have seen of him he looks like a quality player. There is the chance for an exciting partnership with Casson and Matt Hopper in the absence of Turner Hall and the injured George Lowe. Casson is a very direct player but has the ability to create from 12, which will be vital for Quins as they look to hold their season together and push for a home semi-final.

Saracens have been employing a squad rotation system on the wing this year, and as a result James Short hasn’t been able to get as much game time as he would like. But with David Strettle back in the England picture, I am expecting to see Short running in tries left right and centre for Sarries in the next couple of months. In my opinion the best player on the pitch at the Premiership final last May has lots to offer. Short will hope that he gets the kind of ball that his side have been enjoying all season, but without Hodgson, Barritt and Farrell will Saracens' backs operate as smoothly as we have come to expect?

The hardest hit pack in the Premiership is likely to be Northampton, who will struggle without Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes as well as an entire back row. However, it has set up a great opportunity for Ben Nutley, who is not yet 20. The young Saint could well have a huge role to play in coming months. Nutley has impressed internationally at U20 level and has all the makings of a quality player. Without Tom Wood, Callum Clark and Phil Dowson, the Saints will be looking for some big performances from the young flanker, and his ability to win the ball and disrupt others from getting quick ball could prove vital for Northampton.

London Wasps have got enough worries on their plate without thinking about losing players throughout the international period. But there are some very promising signs to suggest that Wasps can start looking up the table. The emergence of Nic Berry as a real talent has added some healthy competition to the Wasps' scrum half debate. Joe Simpson would start at 9 for most clubs, but the England international is being kept out by the 27 year old Aussie who has impressed even with a poor platform to work with. Berry’s battle with Ben Spencer is one to look forward to when Wasps meet Saracens in a few weeks.

Finally, with Toby Flood and Billy Twelvetrees occupied for a large part of February, and with other players called up to play in the Six Nations, it is a real chance for George Ford to show why he is currently the holder of the IRB young player of the year. The young fly half is undoubtedly a huge prospect, but I for one am keen to see him given some game time – remember Jonny Wilkinson had already played for England when he was Ford’s age... but then again he is Jonny.

Who is going to make a name for themselves in the next couple of months?

Until next week,

Andy