1
France and Ireland dominate the World XV chosen by The Rugby Pod
Rugby Pod co-hosts Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode have named their current World XV, including six French players, five Irish, two South Africans, one Fijian and one New Zealander. With the May 28 Killik Cup clash between Steve Hansen’s World XV and Eddie Jones’ Barbarians at Twickenham now just weeks away, ex-internationals Hamilton and Goode got in the mood by choosing their own World XV on current form.
ADVERTISEMENT
It won’t remotely be the team that ex-All Blacks boss Hansen will ultimately select for the match in London as the Rugby Pod have chosen a host of players who will be hoping to be involved in club action on the same weekend.
There are also two players included who have been recently injured and had their club seasons prematurely ended. Here is how their selection debate unfolded:
JIM HAMILTON: It’s important that we think of our World XV now because this game is on the horizon and we all want to go to it. I’m going to go with my forwards, starting with the most important, starting with the foundation. I have put Cyril Baille at one. This is right now on current form from the rugby that I have seen. I have gone for Dan Sheehan at hooker. All-rounder, brilliant.
ANDY GOODE: Good shout.
Ashy gets his ton and the lads select their World XV?
Listen now on Spotify ? https://t.co/EvWx0X1mDW pic.twitter.com/xUjxdJP0VM
— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) April 18, 2023
JH: I loved his interview as well with Brian O’Driscoll so maybe he is in my psyche as well. Tighthead was hard. If Uini Atonio didn’t play how he did (for La Rochelle) against Saracens I would have been thinking of Tadhg Furlong. Is it (Tyrel) Lomax, the All Black? I would have put him in there but I haven’t, I have gone Uini Atonio. Second rows, really interesting. I went Eben Etzebeth, who is definitely in, and Brodie Retallick just because he is Brodie Retallick – but in my mind, he isn’t the form lock at the moment. I have gone Thibaud Flament for how he played in the Six Nations (with France) and how he played for Toulouse.
AG: What about James Ryan?
JH: There is not much in it. Back row, again this is going to be up for debate. I have gone Caelan Doris at six, Charles Ollivon at seven because looks like me and Ardie Savea at eight because he screams and shouts. He is one of my favourite players and I love his social media page as well. Back row is always going to be up for debate because there are a lot of players who could be in a World XV.
AG: The one I am going to ask you about is Josh van der Flier, world player of the year.
ADVERTISEMENT
JH: That was last year. This is right now, this is today… I’m picking the forwards.
AG: Not bad, Jim. Can’t believe you haven’t picked Josh van der Flier, though. World player of the year and you work for World Rugby… okay, so we get into the backs. I don’t know how he won it but he won the Six Nations players of the tournament when Ireland won a Grand Slam, but (Antoine) Dupont, the best nine on the planet. Here is one for you that you won’t agree with, Jim, as you have written him off many times and you tried to retire him four years ago, Johnny Sexton.
JH: Okay, I thought you were going to give me Handre Pollard. Sexton is injured.
AG: But he got injured in the last game of the Six Nations towards the end when he had won the Grand Slam for Ireland playing ridiculously well.
ADVERTISEMENT
JH: So you’d put Johnny Sexton in right now?
AG: Name me a 10 that has played better. He has just won a Grand Slam, dominated the team, captained the team. Name me a 10.
JH: Finn Russell.
AG: C’mon mate. He had a good game against England. Had a good game against Wales. What happened against Ireland?
JH: I don’t know, I can’t remember. Too long ago.
AH: Finn for talent, yes, but as a 10, I’m a 10 that was a controlling 10. I didn’t have the talents that Finn has or anywhere near it, so I like a controlling 10 and Sexton has the lot, so I am going Johnny Sexton. Centres, Levani Botia at 12. On form, you name me another centre. I thought about (Samu) Kerevi but he is playing in Japan, so he is taking it easy at the minute.
JH: Sione Tuipulotu?
AG: Not bad, good shout, but when Botia runs at him, who is winning that collision?
JH: If you’re putting Botia in, no one can’t argue with that.
AG: 13, Garry Ringrose. He is just outstanding at the minute, without a shadow of a doubt. Back three is really interesting and this is where there is a lot of debate. Back three – Cheslin Kolbe gets in the team, he is a legend. (Damian) Penaud on the other wing. And then my full-backs, I was between two, Hugo Keenan, who doesn’t necessarily look like he should be a rugby player the way he runs, and then Thomas Ramos is the other one.
JH: Ramos is on fire.
AG: Ramos is ridiculous at the minute, but I am going with Hugo Keenan.
JH: You have been manipulated in Copper Face Jacks, that’s why. Copper Face Jacks has taken you to a point where you are blinded by love.
AG: I’m there in a few weeks’ time as well, Jim. I’m going for Irish players. Hugo Keenan at 15.
JH: Captain, let’s pick a captain.
AG: Has got to be a forward. I’m a big believer that forwards need to be captains to win World Cups. World XV captain? Caelan Doris.
JH: Nah, I’m going Ardie Savea. He did that scary movement thing which made me feel a bit funny, and he can do the haka. So if they need to do the haka, he is the captain because he can stand at the front and do it, do that funny thing with his finger.
The Rugby Pod World XV:
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
14. Damian Penaud (France)
13: Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
12: Levani Botia (Fiji)
11: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
10: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
1. Cyril Baille (France)
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
3. Uini Atonio (France)
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Thibaud Flament (France)
6. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
7. Charles Ollivon (France)
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand – capt)
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments