After reading our piece on the former superstars who rocked the U18 and U20 Rugby Europe Championships, it is time to find out who will set ablaze 2026 and earn a place among the best in their youth scene.
U18 Championship 2026
U20 Championship 2026
Tomás Marques (U20 Portugal/ Biarritz)
Portugal is looking to secure a third U20 Men's Rugby Europe Championship title, and utility back Tomás Marques will play a crucial role in the young Lobos' hopes, not only because of his remarkable playmaking skills but also because of his X-factor. Whether playing on the wing, in the centres, or at fullback, Marques is the type of player who can deliver great results without needing many opportunities, turning every new play into a critical chance to score points.
After helping Portugal clinch silverware in 2025, adding five tries to the U20 Lobos cause, the Biarritz operator is ready to unleash the full extent of his talent to help his country add another title to their trophy cabinet.
Mihain-Antonio Mitrea (U20 Romania / CSA Steaua)
The Romanian captain is one of his country's most talented players, as shown by his senior national team debut, and he clearly has the credentials to be one of the biggest threats in the U20 Men's Rugby Europe Championship. Amongst his vast skill repertoire, Mitrea's ability to strike conversions from any angle and distance is undoubtedly one of his biggest superpowers, alongside his undying desire for success.
While Romania hasn't tasted glory in the Rugby Europe youth competitions in the last eight years, Mitrea leads a talented new generation eager to push Romania towards a brighter horizon.
Malakai Hafoka (U18 Spain / Lyon OU)
Spain will look to keep their U18 Men's Rugby Europe Championship crown, and LOU's Malakai Hafoka will be pivotal in achieving that end. Although Hafoka is still 18, he is already a U20 international, having featured for Spain at the last Junior World Championship, where he showcased an insane variety of skills that helped his side secure a decisive win over Uruguay, with the utility back landing 12 points from the tee. The mix of stunning, vibrant physicality, relentless attitude, and refined handling skills makes Hafoka one of the players fans will be eager to follow at the U18 Men's Rugby Europe Championship.
Michel Jiri Charretteur (U18 Czechia / Stade Français)
Czechia's rise as a contender for the U18 podium has been a stunning sight, and 2026 won't be any different, especially with players like Michel Jiri Charetteur, who look destined for greatness. While the host's squad is packed with talent, the lock deserves the main spotlight because he bullies the opposition at set-piece, stealing several lineout throw-ins and packing a punch at scrum time. Paired with a behemothian physicality and a knack for landing jackals, Charretteur has everything to reach the top in the future, and the 2026 U18 Rugby Europe Championship will be the first stepping stone.
Toine Obiang Nguema (U20 Netherlands / Stade Rochelais)
A sledgehammer on wheels, that's the best way to describe Toine Obiang Nguema, the Dutch front-rower who will be targeting another sensational run in a Rugby Europe youth competition. In 2025, the prop was mostly a replacement but made an impact every time he was called on, delivering a brilliant scrummaging performance that left his direct opposition drenched in cold sweat.
At the same time, Nguema has a special knack for finding his way over the try line, as the massive Dutch operator bagged five tries in last year's edition of the U20 Rugby Europe Championship, making him one of the top try scorers in the competition. That said, it's reasonable to expect great things from the Oranje Sledgehammer this weekend.
Oscar Shortall (U20 Belgium / Stade Rochelais)
Belgium came close to taking home the U20 World Rugby Challenger, and Oscar Shortall was one of the young Diables Noirs' aces in a successful and entertaining campaign. The outside back has a monstrous physique that can not only trample most tacklers but also pull off some of the most insane side-step and evasion skills in the entire U20 world. His every action carries positive aggression, throwing his body into contact without fear and showing a resolute mindset that tells you everything you need to know about the current Belgian U18 and U20 generations. Belgium supporters are in for a treat when they watch Oscar Shortall deliver stellar performance after stellar performance.
Giorgi Khonelidze (U18 Georgia / RC Toulon)
The future of the Lelos scrum-half position? Giorgi Khonelidze is certainly a player that fans need to follow from the first kick-off, as the RC Toulon backline unit is a box of tricks that can upend a game in an instant. His speed in reloading the ball after every ruck, combined with his game awareness, makes the Georgian scrum-half one of the most thrilling players in the U18 landscape. After Georgia lost the U18 title after several years, Khonelidze will make sure they don't lose focus next Saturday when they step onto the pitch.
Pavel Pugin (U20 Switzerland / FC Grenoble)
It feels like a new dawn for Swiss rugby; not only has their senior side been delivering astonishing performances, but the talent among the latest generations of players is extraordinary, with Pavel Pugin as an excellent example of this. The Swiss forward has an appetite for winning the contact battle, always looking to go over the gain line in the undying search for the best platform to strike the opposition. While Switzerland finished last in 2025, they have a chance to build on that result, and players like Pugin can be the ones pushing them over the line.
Cecan Mihai (U20s Moldova and Old Scouts RFC)
Mihai is a tight head prop who has made a name for himself in England, selected for East Midlands squads (at U18 and U17 levels) and the Midlands Alliance (at U16 and U15 levels).
He has come through the ranks representing Moldova at the U18 and U20 levels.
Nikodem Wołowczyk (U18 Poland / MKS Ogniwo Sopot)
In 2025, Nikodem Wołowczyk was one of Poland's main threats in their U18 Rugby Europe Championship campaign, with the No. 8 brushing aside defenders like a freight train with no brakes, crashing over the gain line and landing tries and line breaks. His voracious mindset was crucial in helping his team finish 7th, as he claimed several tackling busts and defenders beaten while setting up great runs from the back of the scrum. He is back for more in 2026, and you can be sure he will look to impress again and help Poland clinch an even better finish.
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