Test-level rugby is an honour reserved for only a small percentage of elite rugby players, and the Six Nations represents one of the most prestigious platforms in the sport.
It's even rarer for a player to earn their first international minutes in such an esteemed competition, but form can force a coach's hand even on the biggest of stages.
England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France are each set to name their Six Nations squads this week, with a myriad of potential debutants in contention to earn a breakthrough for their respective countries.
Premiership winners, Super Rugby exports and the highest scorer in France's Top 14 feature among Mirror Sport 's outsiders with the strongest chances of earning deserved debuts at the 2022 Six Nations.
Luke Northmore (England)
Position: Centre
With Owen Farrell 's spot in the England XV the weakest it's looked since his 2012 debut, the jury is very much out on how best to structure Eddie Jones ' midfield following Marcus Smith 's move into the No. 10 jersey.
Captain Farrell, Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi are among the more recognised options to line up at inside centre, but Luke Northmore has earned the right to at least be considered for the role.
The 24-year-old is, after all, accustomed to regularly squeezing the most out of Harlequins team-mate Smith at club level and would be a logical pick at 12 despite the fact he's played most of his Quins minutes at outside centre.
A player in the mould of the 'Harlequins Hulk', Andre Esterhuizen, would be ideal for England, but considering he represented South Africa as recently as August 2019, Northmore strikes as the next best thing.
As competent in defence as he is threatening in attack, the former Cardiff Metropolitan University standout has already beaten his personal best for tries in a season and has eight scores despite starting just seven games.
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Leo Berdeu (France)
Position: Fly-half
The period just prior to the turn of the century proved a potent one for producing French fly-half talent, and Leo Berdeu is the latest prospect born around that time who could be on the verge of a senior Test debut.
At the midway mark in the current Top 14 campaign, no player has accumulated more points than the Lyon playmaker (165), which is sure to have grabbed the attention of Les Bleus boss Fabien Galthie.
The 23-year-old has major appeal, too, considering his accuracy off the tee is combined with a 6'5" frame that makes him something of a rarity at No. 10, with 25 of his points haul coming from tries.
Each of Romain Ntamack (22) and Mathieu Jalibert (23) are established France internationals and sit ahead of Berdeu in the pecking order, but the former Agen loanee could bring something different to the role.
Michael Lowry (Ireland)
Position: Full-back
Ulster have come to have a greater impact on international affairs in recent years, and former Ireland under-20 international Michael Lowry is the latest potential Test talent to step off their production line.
The 23-year-old is relatively little at just 5'7"—hardly the dimensions many would seek out in a full-back—but what he lacks in size the Belfast-born back makes up for in elusiveness and ingenuity.
Lowry has proved himself to be a sharp tactical mind whose foresight and positioning in defence regularly keeps Ulster out of hairy situations, not to mention the considerable running threat he provides.
Hugo Keenan and Jordan Larmour are in the way to Ireland's No. 15 jersey as things stand, but Andy Farrell could do a lot worse than to test out Ulster's last line of defence as a plausible alternative.
Jac Morgan (Wales)
Position: Flanker
More than a few eyebrows were raised when the Scarlets allowed Jac Morgan to join Welsh rivals Ospreys over the summer, and any sense of regret in Llanelli has likely only grown since then.
If the Carmarthen native—who turns 22 on Friday—was knocking on the door for a first Wales call-up prior to that move, he's practically pounding at the entrance double-fisted at this stage.
Wayne Pivac is spoiled for back-row options when the squad if fully fit, with Justin Tipuric, Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham, Josh Navidi, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Thomas Young and James Botham just some in the rotation.
Morgan has in the past year or so added a more devastating dimension to his carrying to go along with his accomplished breakdown ability, but the competition for a flanker spot may yet prove too steep.
Rory Darge (Scotland)
Position: Flanker
In regards to present-day players who perform considerably beyond their years, Rory Darge is one of those who routinely leaves spectators wondering: "How is he only 21?"
The westward move to Glasgow Warriors from Edinburgh last year has proved nothing short of breathtaking, with the back-row starlet going from promising prospect to an apparent shoo-in for the Scotland squad.
It makes sense considering Gregor Townsend called the youngster up for their June fixtures before they were cancelled, while it was only injury that kept him from autumn involvement.
Provided fitness isn't a concern, Darge will be getting a much-anticipated Scotland debut in the Six Nations, and the ball-jackaling menace has the mark of a player who could become a regular for the next decade or more.
Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Position: Wing
Few players new to Europe this season have taken to the challenge as naturally as Mack Hansen, so much so that many an Irish fan would likely be stunned if he were omitted from Farrell's Six Nations plans.
Not only does the Connacht winger lead the United Rugby Championship on tries scored (six) and clean breaks (11), but he's also beaten 38 defenders—11 more than any other player—and carried for a league-leading 556 metres.
Those statistics make the Australia native and former Brumbies talent too impressive to pass up on, and Ireland would be better off taking advantage of his Cork-born mother's roots sooner rather than later.
Alfie Barbeary (England)
Position: No. 8
Ask 100 England fans which new face they'd most like to see named in Jones' England squad this year and it would be a safe bet to suggest at least half of those would select Wasps behemoth Alfie Barbeary.
After deciding his long-term future lies in the back-row following a discussion with Jones earlier this season, Barbeary looks committed in his quest to make an impact for the Red Rose as soon as possible.
That's an impact in the very literal sense, too, considering the former centre and hooker boasts one of the most intimidating presences in European rugby when he's got ball in hand.
The 21-year-old has racked up four tries from seven games this season, and the only doubt concerning an England place is the sea of back-row talent already established under Jones.
