15 for 10: Saracens - an all-decade XV
No club domestically has been able to match Saracens’ domination of the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken European Champions Cup during the 2010’s, and that makes their 15 for 10 particularly competitive in a number of positions.
The gloss may have been taken off some of those titles thanks to recent revelations about their salary cap infractions, although that does nothing to detract from the talent that has been at the club in the context of this all-decade XV where, if anything, it has only made the competition for the XV more intense.
Check out the team below and let us know who you think we missed and who should have made the cut instead.
- Alex Goode
One of, if not the easiest selection in the XV, Goode has been a steadfast presence at full-back throughout the past decade and is currently closing in on 300 appearances for the north Londoners. His lack of regular involvement with England often leaves fans scratching their heads, although there is no denying the gargantuan impact he has had on the club game.
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- Chris Ashton
Liam Williams has had his moments recently, as did homegrown player Nathan Earle, although it’s Ashton’s five-year stint at the club that wins the day. He bagged over 40 tries for the club at a rate over one every two games and his eagerness for work and involvement made him perfectly suited to the way Saracens play their rugby.
- Marcelo Bosch
A bit more competition, here, with Duncan Taylor, Alex Lozowski and Nick Tompkins all having their own valid claims on the position. That said, Bosch was remarkably consistent, added a long-range kicking option and played with surprising physicality during his time at the club, and was particularly vital in the side’s European successes.
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- Brad Barritt
An honourable mention for player-turned-coach Adam Powell, though this spot was always going to go to Barritt. The South African has embodied everything that the club is about over the past 10 years and no one has put their body on the line for the team more than the centre. Even after the England call-ups began to die away, Barritt has continued to be arguably the most impactful and influential centre in the Premiership.
- David Strettle
It’s tough to leave out Chris Wyles, who is one of the more underrated players of the past decade, although at their peaks, it’s hard to ignore Strettle. The former Harlequin struck up a deadly partnership with Ashton and the pair tormented Premiership and European defences on a weekly basis.
- Owen Farrell
A significant nod to Charlie Hodgson, who enjoyed a fine late-career swansong at Allianz Park, but there is little dispute that Farrell takes centre stage here. The England captain has been one of Saracens’ most impressive players over the past decade, arriving as a raw and talented youngster, before developing into one of the best all-round players in the rugby world.
- Richard Wigglesworth
Neil de Kock started the decade strongly and Ben Spencer has finished it in the driver’s seat, although it is Wigglesworth who has dominated the position for the majority of the past 10 years. The scrum-half arrived shortly before Hodgson and the pair once again struck up the partnership and chemistry they showed at Sale, before Wigglesworth went on to help Farrell develop into the considerable player that he has become.
- Mako Vunipola
Plucked from Bristol’s senior academy, Vunipola will arguably go down as one of the best signings in Premiership history. That compensation paid out to secure his signature looks inconsequential now, as Vunipola has turned into perhaps the most skilful and balanced loosehead prop in the global game, not to mention being a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist.
- Schalk Brits
Without doubt the toughest call in this XV, there is next to nothing between Brits and Jamie George, whilst an honourable mention is also due for the impact of John Smit earlier in the decade. We’ve opted – just – for Brits, who it could be argued was more impactful and influential in the domestic game, whereas George has gone on to become one of the top two or three hookers in the international arena.
- Juan Figallo
A lot of competition at tighthead, with Petrus du Plessis, Vincent Koch, Matt Stevens and James Johnston all having had their moments. No one player has locked down the position for the majority of the decade, although a fit Figallo has arguably surpassed all others in terms of set-piece impact. You could make a case for multiple players here, although we have opted for career resurrection of the Argentinean, who, prior to Saracens, looked as though his playing days may have been over.
- Maro Itoje
One of the second row spots simply had to go to Itoje. He may not have arrived until a third of the way through the decade, but his rise since has been meteoric. His influence as a player and a leader is clear to see at both club and international levels, and he has been integral to the success enjoyed by the club in the second half of the decade. He recently ranked at 3rd on our Top 30 Players of 2019.
- George Kruis
Mentions for Alistair Hargeaves, Steve Borthwick, Jim Hamilton and Mouritz Botha, as well as the final two seasons of Hugh Vyvyan’s career, though it’s Kruis who got our vote. Kruis has established himself alongside Itoje as Saracens’ and England’s most effective lock pairing and the duo complement each other wonderfully well. His contributions at the set-piece and in defence are significant.
- Kelly Brown
The fast-rising Nick Isiekwe will have his eye on this spot over the next decade, although for the 2010’s, the clear front-runner is Brown. The Scotland international moved down to the capital in 2010 and made over 150 appearances for the club, providing them with an uncompromising physical presence on the flank.
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- Jacques Burger
The Namibian Burger beats out the South African one, Schalk, as well as Andy Saull, Will Fraser and up and coming talent Ben Earl. Burger was a cult hero at Saracens and like Barritt, had very little regard for his own personal safety if it meant putting his team in a better position to win. His physical tackling helped bed in the defensive DNA that remains central to the team to this day.
- Billy Vunipola
Jackson Wray really does deserve a significant mention and is arguably a victim of his own versatility across the back row, whilst Ernst Joubert was also a key figure in establishing the foundation for the club’s current success. That said, very few players in the rugby world can match the impact that Vunipola has on a weekly basis and, at his best, he is in the conversation as one of the best back rowers in the world.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments