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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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AM 42 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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