International Sides First XVs

[chippieolamus]

Might be a bit of an over done thread, but list what you think your international team starting XV and bench should be (assuming everyone is fit)
I''ll get the ball rolling with England:

1) Corbisiero
2) Webber
3) Wilson
4) Attwood
5) Lawes
6) Launchbury
7) Robshaw
8) Morgan
9) Care/Youngs (whoever is in form)
10) Ford
11) May
12) Eastmond/Slade
13) Tuilagi
14) Roko/Watson/Nowell (whoever is in form)
15) Brown

16) Marler
17) Hartley
18) Cole
19) Parling/Kruis
20) Vunipola
21) Youngs/Care
22) Farrell
23) Roko/Watson/Nowell

 

[Big Ewis]

no, no, it's a viable idea. Hasn't been done yet. For me, provided they're all completely healthy and on top form right now as of December 2014, France is:

1) Ménini
2) Kayser
3) Slimani
4) Maestri
5) Romain Tao
6) Le Roux
7) Burban
8) Picamoles
9) Kockott
10) Trinh-Duc
11) Guitoune
12) Lamerat
13) Fofana
14) Huget
15) Dulin

16) Guirrado
17) Domingo
18) Atonio
19) Papé
20) Chouly
21) Parra
22) Lopez
23) Bastareaud

 

[chippieolamus]

No Dusautoir?

 

[Big Ewis]

No Dusautoir?

NO DUSAUTOIR !!!

Well, Dusau still is kickin it, but he's less scary at the bdown these days and is all defense. With two big guys like Burban and Le Roux starting, you've got everything you want from your flanks. But this is still fantasy Rugby, I mean, those are the 15 best men at their respective positions for me - I haven't taken into account the intangibles like leadership, etc...

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

no, no, it's a viable idea. Hasn't been done yet. For me, provided they're all completely healthy and on top form right now as of December 2014, France is:

1) Ménini
2) Kayser
3) Slimani
4) Maestri
5) Romain Tao
6) Le Roux
7) Burban
8) Picamoles
9) Kockott
10) Trinh-Duc
11) Guitoune
12) Lamerat
13) Fofana
14) Huget
15) Dulin

16) Guirrado
17) Domingo
18) Atonio
19) Papé
20) Chouly
21) Parra
22) Lopez
23) Bastareaud

thought you might have picked Scott Speeding over Dulin, i'll do scotland's XV

1.) Gordon Reid
2.) Pat MacArthur
3.) Euan Murray
4.) Richie Gray
5.) Jonny Gray
6.) Kelly Brown
7.) Blair Cowan
8.) David Denton
9.) Greig Laidlaw
10.) Finn Russell
11.) Tim Visser
12.) Matt Scott
13.) Alex Dunbar (finding it hard to miss Mark Bennett out)
14.) Sean Maitland
15.) Stuart Hogg

16.) Ross Ford
17.) Al Dickinson
18.) Geoff Cross
19.) Grant Gilchrist
20.) Rob Harley
21.) Henry Pyrgos
22.) Rory Jackson
23.) Max Evans

 

[Big Ewis]

thought you might have picked Scott Speeding over Dulin, i'll do scotland's XV

pff, you're just sayin' that coz you're biased because his name is Scott too !!...
And I particularly like that back three + 23) for Scotland. Some underrated backs in Scotland these past 4-5 years.....

 

[nickdnz]

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Cane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden (if back to his best form then Daniel Carter)
11. Julian Savea
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Charles Piatau (maybe Hosea Gear when he is back - never will happen but I can dream).
15. Ben Smith

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Tameifuna/Ben Afeaki (if he ever recovers from concussion)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Sam Cane (or Victor Vito)
21. TJ Peranara
22. Beuden Barrett
23. Jason Woodward

 

[Kapa O Pango]

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Cane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden (if back to his best form then Daniel Carter)
11. Julian Savea
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Charles Piatau (maybe Hosea Gear when he is back - never will happen but I can dream).
15. Ben Smith

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Tameifuna/Ben Afeaki (if he ever recovers from concussion)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Sam Cane (or Victor Vito)
21. TJ Peranara
22. Beuden Barrett
23. Jason Woodward

Love it.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

pff, you're just sayin' that coz you're biased because his name is Scott too !!...
And I particularly like that back three + 23) for Scotland. Some underrated backs in Scotland these past 4-5 years.....

hehe.

but na on a serious note I really rated Speeding since his debut against Fiji.

 

[inteNZity]

good idea.
NZ
Dagg
Smith. B
Savea
Smith C
Nonu
Carter
Smith A
Read
McCaw
Kaino
Ratallic
Whitelock
Franks O
Coles
Woodcock

Wyatt Crockett
Faumuina
Mealamu
Romano
Cane
Ellis
Barrett (to 1st if Carter tires or to FB as game opens up)
SBW (Wing, 2nd, centre)
experience wins WC's, Dagg does enough with no one pushing above him, (the question was at the moment).
Nonu will start if fit. Carter will get the best out of dagg.
cheers chippieolamus

 

[ENZED-88]

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Cane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden (if back to his best form then Daniel Carter)
11. Julian Savea
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Charles Piatau (maybe Hosea Gear when he is back - never will happen but I can dream).
15. Ben Smith

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Tameifuna/Ben Afeaki (if he ever recovers from concussion)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Sam Cane (or Victor Vito)
21. TJ Peranara
22. Beuden Barrett
23. Jason Woodward

This would be mine except swap sbw with Nonu, Piatau with Jane and if Peranara ever recaptures form I would pick him ahead of smith(maybe) minus woodward

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Bismarck du Plessis
3 Frans Malherbe
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Francois Louw (c)
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Handre Pollard
11 Bryan Habana
12 Frans Steyn (if it's true he's shed 10kg)
13 Jan Serfontein
14 JP Petersen
15 Willie le Roux (2013 edition, 2014 needn't apply)

16 Thomas du Toit
17 Marcel van der Merwe
18 Adriaan Strauss
19 Jacques du Plessis
20 Marcel Coetzee
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Pat Lambie
23 Damian de Allende

 

[Beerfalo]

This is the lineup I'd hope to see for the bulk of next years World Cup.

Canada Starting XV
1) Hubert Buydens
2) Aaron Carpenter
3) Jason Marshall
4) Jamie Cudmore
5) Jebb Sinclair(Definitely better used as a Flanker but he's better than any available Lock that isn't Cudmore.)
6) Richard Thorpe
7) John Moonlight
8) Tyler Ardron
9) Gordon McRorie(Many would argue, and with good reason, that Phil Mack should start but Gordie distributes the ball well and is the best kicker we have right now.)
10) Connor Braid(The best of a disappointing lot.)
11) Taylor Paris
12) Phil Mackenzie
13) DTH van der Merwe
14) Jeff Hassler
15) Matt Evans(He's not as good as Pritchard was in his prime but I think he's better than Pritchard is now.)

Reserves:
16) Ray Barkwill(Booooo!!!!)
17) Jake Ilnicki
18) Andrew Tiedemann(After this last November I'd really consider Doug Wooldridge even though Tiedemann is playing pro.)
19) Jon Phelan(The scrum is better with him than with Hotson or Buekeboom but they are all fairly unimpressive Locks on the International stage.)
20) Kyle Gilmour(Nanyak Dala is fast and a good option to sub on late when other players are tired but I prefer the way Gilmour plays 15s over the more 7s oriented Dala.)
21) Phil Mack
22) Ciaran Hearn
23) Conor Trainor

If Liam Underwood ever recovers from his year long concussion problem I'd slot him in at 10 over Braid and bump Braid down to 23 as he's better suited as a reserve utility back.

 

[Chistera]

My French XV, taking into account current injury issues:

1) Menini
2) Kayser
3) Slimani
4) Maestri
5) Flanquart
6) Dusautoir
7) Le Roux
8) Picamoles
9) Parra
10) Lopez
11) Thomas
12) Fickou
13) Fofana
14) Huget
15) Dulin

16) Domingo
17) Szarzewski
18) Atonio
19) Vahaamahina
20) Nyanga
21) Camara
22) Plisson
23) Bastareaud

 

[ENZED-88]

1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Bismarck du Plessis
3 Frans Malherbe
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Francois Louw (c)
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Handre Pollard
11 Bryan Habana
12 Frans Steyn (if it's true he's shed 10kg)
13 Jan Serfontein
14 JP Petersen
15 Willie le Roux (2013 edition, 2014 needn't apply)

16 Thomas du Toit
17 Marcel van der Merwe
18 Adriaan Strauss
19 Jacques du Plessis
20 Marcel Coetzee
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Pat Lambie
23 Damian de Allende

THATS BLASPHEMY no JDV

 

[Chistera]

This would be mine except swap sbw with Nonu, Piatau with Jane and if Peranara ever recaptures form I would pick him ahead of smith(maybe) minus woodward

Even with the midfield being so crowded, I'd put Fekitoa in there somewhere, what he brings to the game in terms of explosiveness and devastating runs is just too impressive to be overlooked, figure you could slot on the wing instead of Piutau?

 

[canadafan]

Overall don't mind your line up. Would still have Dala on the bench as an impact sub, and probably start Gilmour at 6 and Thorpe and 7. Unless, one of Beukeboom, Pierce or Phelan make the big step up and finally become that lock we hope they can be. As for the backs, no real issue with your selections. Although, if Underwood is healthy (and back to form) I would probably move Braid to 12 and Mackenzie to the bench in replace of Hearn.

This is the lineup I'd hope to see for the bulk of next years World Cup.

Canada Starting XV
1) Hubert Buydens
2) Aaron Carpenter
3) Jason Marshall
4) Jamie Cudmore
5) Jebb Sinclair(Definitely better used as a Flanker but he's better than any available Lock that isn't Cudmore.)
6) Richard Thorpe
7) John Moonlight
8) Tyler Ardron
9) Gordon McRorie(Many would argue, and with good reason, that Phil Mack should start but Gordie distributes the ball well and is the best kicker we have right now.)
10) Connor Braid(The best of a disappointing lot.)
11) Taylor Paris
12) Phil Mackenzie
13) DTH van der Merwe
14) Jeff Hassler
15) Matt Evans(He's not as good as Pritchard was in his prime but I think he's better than Pritchard is now.)

Reserves:
16) Ray Barkwill(Booooo!!!!)
17) Jake Ilnicki
18) Andrew Tiedemann(After this last November I'd really consider Doug Wooldridge even though Tiedemann is playing pro.)
19) Jon Phelan(The scrum is better with him than with Hotson or Buekeboom but they are all fairly unimpressive Locks on the International stage.)
20) Kyle Gilmour(Nanyak Dala is fast and a good option to sub on late when other players are tired but I prefer the way Gilmour plays 15s over the more 7s oriented Dala.)
21) Phil Mack
22) Ciaran Hearn
23) Conor Trainor

If Liam Underwood ever recovers from his year long concussion problem I'd slot him in at 10 over Braid and bump Braid down to 23 as he's better suited as a reserve utility back.

 

[Icemn]

1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Bismarck du Plessis
3 Frans Malherbe
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Francois Louw (c)
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Fourie du Preez
10 Handre Pollard
11 Bryan Habana
12 Frans Steyn (if it's true he's shed 10kg)
13 Jan Serfontein
14 JP Petersen
15 Willie le Roux (2013 edition, 2014 needn't apply)

16 Thomas du Toit
17 Marcel van der Merwe
18 Adriaan Strauss
19 Jacques du Plessis
20 Marcel Coetzee
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Pat Lambie
23 Damian de Allende

you not serious??? why fran steyn??? and why if he shed 10kgs? if i have a 120Kg sack of ****... if i take 10kg's out... i will still have a sack of **** 10kgs lighter... i'd add jan on 12 and on 13 have JDJ or Jordaan...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

THATS BLASPHEMY no JDV

you not serious??? why fran steyn??? and why if he shed 10kgs? if i have a 120Kg sack of ****... if i take 10kg's out... i will still have a sack of **** 10kgs lighter... i'd add jan on 12 and on 13 have JDJ or Jordaan...

JdV is out injured and even if he does make a remarkable return he'd be less than what he was and he wasn't playing the world on fire to start off with even if it has been a slow few years for 12's on the international stage.

Frans Steyn is idealy suited to NH conditions and a more defensive and territory orientated game. We saw hw we strugged this year in Europe if we are outplayed in those key areas first and foremost. Steyn is a good footballer and has the distribution we need at 12 and that has been lacking from our midfield. De Jongh and Jordaan are too small for test rugby in Eurpe in the context of knock out games and don't possess the passing game Steyn has. Moving Serfontein in to 12 doesn't solve that. Steyn's ability to kick 3 pointers from 60m is also very handy in tight games and the option to have him as a 2nd 1st reciever takes pressure off both Pollard/Lambie and Le Roux.

As for the 10 kilograms, while Steyn has never been an ilusive runner the loss of 10kgs will make any man a bit more light on his feet and it goes some way to address what I and I believe others have been worried about; Steyn's apparent lack of motivation. I'd suggest a lean and bothered Frans Steyn is just what we need in mid field. Him, FdP and JPP also have a pretty good record against NZ who'll be our toughest challenge to reclaim the RWC ***le.

 

[Beerfalo]

Overall don't mind your line up. Would still have Dala on the bench as an impact sub, and probably start Gilmour at 6 and Thorpe and 7. Unless, one of Beukeboom, Pierce or Phelan make the big step up and finally become that lock we hope they can be. As for the backs, no real issue with your selections. Although, if Underwood is healthy (and back to form) I would probably move Braid to 12 and Mackenzie to the bench in replace of Hearn.

I can see why you would want Dala on the bench but leaving out Moonlight from your roster? I like Dala and have a lot of respect for Gilmour but Moonlight is better than both, though Gilmour is probably close right now. If Gilmour did get the start then Moonlight should be the Back Row reserve over Dala every time.

Did you forget a sentence bud haha. Not quite sure how you went from Flankers right to the Locks but I assume it's about me wanting Sinclair to start there since the other non-Cudmore Locks in contention are all fairly unimpressive right now. I like Phelan more than Hotson or Buekeboom but he is turning 29 next month and I'm not sure how much more he can really improve. Hotson isn't going to get any better than he is right now and should be a reserve instead of a starter. Buekeboom probably impresses me the least of the three right now but he still has a couple more years to catch up as he only turned 25 a couple months back. I think Cam Pierce(23) and Evan Olmstead(23/24) are the future at Lock after the RWC. Both are young and real talented, though Olmstead needs to bulk up.

If Underwood was healthy and on form then it's a no-brainer to have him start. Unfortunately it's looking like Harry Jones is coming to England instead and I've made it no secret how I feel about Jones playing XVs. I would gladly approve of Braid moving to 12(where he's best suited) even if it bumps Mackenzie to the bench. I'd keep Hearn over Trainor though. Trainor may be younger but I find Hearn to still be better/more versatile while also being one of the best boots Canada has.