Some players shine bright for a short time, fizzling out due to form or injury, while others just don’t fit into the coach’s plans. Regardless, staying at the top is hard to do. We take a look at a few names who occasionally dazzled us in the Championship, but left us wanting much, much more.
Dan Leavy, Ireland
Dan Leavy was considered one of Ireland's most promising young players. Known for his physicality and versatility in the back row, Leavy played a significant part in Ireland's 2018 Grand Slam victory and Leinster's Champions Cup triumph. Sadly, a severe knee injury in 2019 derailed his career, leading to an early retirement in 2021. Leavy's win success rate for Ireland was an impressive 100% in eleven Tests, highlighting what could have been a storied career had injuries not intervened.
Gavin Henson, Wales
Gavin Henson was a mercurial talent, known for his flair and kicking ability from centre, fly-half or fullback. Some say he single-handedly rejuvenated the image of Welsh rugby. What is certain is the instrumental role he played in Wales' 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam victories. However, off-field issues and injuries plagued his career, preventing him from reaching the heights many had predicted. While Henson's international career never fully blossomed as it could have, Welsh fans will forever be grateful for his contribution to the national game.
James Simpson-Daniel, England
An obvious choice here would be Danny Cipriani, who burst onto the scene in 2008 having been touted as the future of English rugby long before his international debut, or even Steffon Armitage, whose stock rose significantly while playing at Toulon. But what about James Simpson-Daniel, one of England's most naturally gifted and instinctive players? The winger’s excellent form at the club level with Gloucester, where he was a prolific try-scorer and fan favourite, was seen only sporadically with England, for whom he won ten caps, scoring two tries.
François Trinh-Duc, France
François Trinh-Duc was seen as the answer to France's fly-half conundrum when he made his debut in 2008. Known for his flair and attacking prowess, Trinh-Duc had all the makings of a French rugby icon. However, an unfortunate combination of capricious selection from head coaches, inconsistent performances and frequent injuries hindered his progression. He was often overlooked for crucial games, and despite his skillset, never truly became the star he was projected to be. However, Trinh-Duc’s abilities were there for all to see when he steered France to the Grand Slam in 2010.
Matteo Minozzi, Italy
Back three player Matteo Minozzi announced himself on the Test stage with electrifying performances in the 2018 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, scoring tries in four consecutive games, leading to his nomination for Player of the Championship. His pace and footwork marked him out as a generational player, but injuries plagued his career, leading to his early retirement at just 27 in 2023. On retiring, Minozzi said: "Every memory with Italy for me is crazy, but the Six Nations is something else. They're experiences that we Europeans dream about. We're raised on these Championships."
Johnnie Beattie, Scotland
Johnnie Beattie showed early promise as a dynamic back rower forward for Scotland, following in the footsteps of his famous father, John. He was part of the team that secured a famous victory over Australia in 2009, and his three wins from five against Ireland (including that victory at Croke Park) is a record most Scottish players can only dream of in the current era. His performances in the 2010 Championship were particularly strong, but injuries and form meant he never reached the potential many believed he had for Scotland.
