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Ireland dominate with four selections while France secure just two in World XV

Ireland's James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne celebrate their November 2021 win over the All Blacks (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland have dominated World Rugby’s men’s dream team of the year with four selections in the XV, the most of any country.

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The historic series win on New Zealand soil over the All Blacks by Ireland has been rewarded at the annual World Rugby awards, with two nominations for Player of the Year and now four selections in the World XV.

Flyhalf Johnny Sexton was the lone Irish back in the XV, while three forwards were named in the pack, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, and openside Josh van der Flier.

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Sexton and Van der Flier were also both nominated for men’s Player of the Year, with the Irish flanker taking home the honour for the first time.

France, who completed a Grand Slam in March and had a perfect 10 from 10 wins in the calendar year with a win over Japan, had just two selections in scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and No 8 Gregory Alldritt.

The All Blacks, who won this year’s Rugby Championship, managed two selections in Sam Whitelock and prolific try-scoring wing Will Jordan.

However, Ardie Savea was a notable non-selection once again with Alldritt preferred over the All Blacks No 8.

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South Africa had three picks in the XV, with Malcolm Marx taking the starting hooker role while both centres Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am were picked in the midfield.

England had two selections also, with prop Ellis Genge and fullback Freddie Steward making the starting XV.

Argentina had one selection on the blindside with Pablo Matera, while Austraila also had one in left wing Marika Koroibete.

Wales, Scotland, and Italy were the only tier one nations not to recieve any selections.

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S
SK 5 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

35 Go to comments
J
JW 10 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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