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
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments