In Focus: Five stars to watch in the 2021-22 Gallagher Premiership

The 2021-22 Gallagher Premiership season gets underway on Friday and we are set for another thrilling campaign.

The returning Saracens will hope to catch up on lost ground to battle with the likes of champions Harlequins, Exeter and Bristol Bears for the top prize.

Many stars will hope to make an impact when the campaign gets going — we pick out our five to watch.

Alfie Barbeary (Wasps)

Simply put, if injury hadn’t disrupted 20-year-old hooker Alfie Barbeary’s campaign last season, then we would be talking about him as an England international.

Barbeary announced himself with an eye-catching hat-trick playing out of position as a flanker against Leicester on his debut.

He is only the second player to do that in the Premiership but repeated injury struggles stunted his progress in 2021.

After Barbeary picked up the December Player of the Month award, former England back Ugo Monye said: "We forget he’s still so young and hasn’t played a lot of rugby but every single time he plays he always catches the eye. 

"I think he’s an international in waiting. He looks like quite a special talent."

Louis Lynagh (Harlequins)

Two stunning late tries in last season’s final saw Louis Lynagh enter the Harlequins history books as they secured their first title for nine years with a 40-38 victory over Exeter.

Son of Australia great Michael Lynagh — who retired in 1995 as the record international points scorer with 911 — the 20-year-old is not short of expectation on his shoulders going into the new campaign.

Billy Millard, the Harlequins general manager, said: "He is his own man. Michael is an amazing dad, but he is forging his own reputation. He is a special player."

Adam Radwan (Newcastle)

Another winger who will no doubt be a man to watch for defences all season is Newcastle flyer Adam Radwan.

The 23-year-old capped off an impressive 2021-21 season in which he scored 36 tries in 46 appearances by scoring three for England against Canada at Twickenham over the summer.

After Radwan’s international bow, Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones said: “He is quick, lightning quick. Sometimes we can’t see him at training he is that quick.

"We rolled the dice, brought him into camp and every week he has grown. He is a hard worker, a hard trainer, wants to learn."

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

After captaining England to the Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, this could be the season Jack van Poortvliet makes his Leicester breakthrough.

The rising star is not short of competition with veteran international Ben Youngs fighting for the No9 shirt but he has been tipped by Sir Clive Woodward to make impact this campaign.

The 2003 World Cup-winning coach told the Mail: "I would look out for Leicester’s 20-year-old Jack van Poortvliet, a silky smooth nine with a great break. England really do have so much talent!"

Josh Hodge (Exeter)

Competition is high in the back line at Exeter Chiefs but 21-year-old Josh Hodge could have what it takes to earn a place in the side this season.

His first Chiefs try last season was a memorable one after a solo run against Gloucester, and he has already been compared to Exeter and England regular Jack Nowell by Exeter boss Rob Baxter.

He said last season: "I remember with Jack Nowell, you could start to see there was something special about him - there was always some way of him getting his momentum. 

"That's an attribute that Josh looks like he's got and will only improve as he physically matures."