15 for 10: Scarlets - an all-decade XV
Scarlets emerged in the latter half of the decade as Wales’ strongest region so it is no surprise their team of the decade contains some seriously talented players and leaves out some big names.
They capped the decade by winning the 2017 Guinness PRO12 final in Dublin, defeating Munster at Aviva Stadium the weekend after they beat Leinster at the RDS. The region then went on to reach a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final the following year.
15. Liam Williams
Despite a number of excellent candidates, Williams has to be the choice here. Outstanding in attack and defence, reliable under the high ball, he has been consistently superb as the last man. He even stepped up to kick as Scarlets closed out matches in their league title-winning run of 2016/17.
14. Johnny McNicholl
Steff Evans is hugely unfortunate to miss out on a spot given his irrepressible spark in attack and importance to the 16/17 season, but McNicholl’s all-round game just about gives him the edge. He has been consistently brilliant since his arrival.
13. Jonathan Davies
Could it be anyone else? The sight of Davies handing off opposition players with glee as he storms towards the line is enough to warm up fans on even the coldest Llanelli day. His return from Clermont in 2016 was only one part of the puzzle for then-coach Wayne Pivac, but it felt decisive.
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RugbyPass went behind the scenes when Leinster won the 2018 Guinness PRO14 final in Dublin
12. Scott Williams
It seems bizarre in some ways to leave out Hadleigh Parkes who now seems to be such a fixture in the current Scarlets and Wales XVs. But nine seasons of service, 135 appearances, 23 tries (and a conversion for good measure) see Williams clinch the spot. He was an excellent servant to the region.
11. George North
It has been a long time since North ran out in Scarlets colours but there is no doubt that his almost unstoppable period at the region was when he played his best rugby. DTH van der Merwe is a big name unlucky to miss out.
10. Stephen Jones
Arguably the most contested position in this side, with both Rhys Patchell and Rhys Priestland having been excellent for Scarlets. But Jones’ consistency, leadership and reliability made him so important then and deserving of this spot.
Brad Mooar has made a telling impression at @scarlets_rugby in a short space of time… @OwainJTJones quizzes the All Blacks-bound coach on his methodology and fondness for West Wales https://t.co/D6XzB9TmX8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 7, 2020
9. Gareth Davies
In recent years, the man known as Cawdor has shown Wales fans what his electric pace, fearless defence and instinct for an intercept can do for a side, but he has been putting in those shifts out west for some time. Not always the best passer of the ball but trusted in the big games for a reason.
1. Phil John
With hands and instincts like Gethin Jenkins, Rob Evans would make this position were it not for John’s 330 appearances over two decades. A proper regional servant who always put a shift in.
2. Ken Owens
Unquestionable selection despite the quality that Scarlets have had in the No2 jersey over the decade. Owens is happy to regularly put in the full 80 minutes and his leadership, talent and work ethic never waver. Will surely go down as a regional icon.
3. Samson Lee
Has never quite delivered on his promise but has been reliable on the tighthead since 2011. His occasional execution of some of the flashier stuff shows how hard he continues to work on all aspects of his game.
4. Jake Ball
There have been some very handy locks for Scarlets over the decade but Ball has probably made the biggest contribution. In addition to all the grunt work he does, he is often essential in some of Scarlets’ attacking breaks.
5. Tadhg Beirne
Only spent two years in Wales but what a two years. He arrived as a promising lock so ravaged by injuries that he was close to quitting the game and left with a PRO12 title, PRO14 runners-up medal, a Champions Cup semi-final spot and the promise of an international call-up before he decided to return to Ireland. Made a huge impact.
Welsh talent ID in England is nothing new but with a new seam of gifted players plying their trade over the border, the battle to wear red or white shows no signs of letting up
– writes @OwainJTJones https://t.co/RF6PplTb9R
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2019
6. Aaron Shingler
A blindside who can score a 70-metre solo try, although not one afraid of the dirty work. Shingler has been a big presence in the lineout and has an offload game perfect for Scarlets. Started at the region in 2008 and doesn’t look like slowing down.
7. James Davies
In a team with a style like Scarlets, back row forwards are always going to be essential to snaffle opposition ball and speed up their own. ‘Cubby Boi’ has been a huge part of the side’s success with his breakdown work. His sevens background has also been crucial, especially his comfort covering the wing in major games.
8. John Barclay
There have been many non-Welsh players taken into the hearts of Scarlets fans but Barclay is up there with the best of them – and deservedly so. His leadership during the PRO12 title run-in, with Owens injured, was huge. Ben Morgan was a more natural No8 but Barclay was too good to leave out.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Amazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
1 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
1 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
1 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
8 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to comments