LOCKS

4. Maro Itoje (England)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

The famous tune of the White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ repeatedly rang out around the Allianz Stadium this November, with chants of ‘ooooh Maroooo Itoooooje’ signalling the approval of the England captain from the Twickenham faithful. After a transcendent Summer witnessed the Saracen lead the Lions to a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies, Itoje enjoyed a well deserved rest before kicking back up to his top gear for the 2025 Quilter Nations Series.

Itoje once again proved his might as England’s turnover specialist, with the lock also adamant to assert his dominance in the skies despite some line-out struggles in the campaign. Itoje was once again the heart-beat of the England team, who have now progressed up to third in the World following a clean sweep of Autumn Series wins over Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

There were plenty of potential Springboks that could have occupied the second row of the World XV, with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje and RG Snyman all rightful contenders to the engine room. However, after being Andy Farrell’s resident Iron Man in a red jersey out in Australia, Tadhg Beirne’s accolade of British & Irish Lions Player of the Series still carries plenty of weight despite an early Autumn set-back following a shock red card against the All Blacks.

Beirne recovered from this momentum-halting incident to lead the way forward from Ireland’s second row, with the Munster man putting in colossal efforts in the five shirt against Japan, Australia and in the latest chaotic fray against South Africa. Beirne even crossed for a try against the Springboks that was later chalked off by James Ryan’s red card offense, with Munster fans eager to see Beirne bring this inspired form back to his province and continue the unbeaten start to the season for Clayton McMillan’s men.

BACK ROW

6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

The back-three is another area of great contention, with near-miss mentions in store for England battler Ben Earl and Ireland’s returning captain Caelan Doris. We opt for Siya Kolisi to start at his newfound role in the six jersey, with the likes of England’s Sam Underhill and Wallace Sititi of the All Blacks also worth a shout as we unvail of selected back row.

Kolisi was peerless as ever as the Springboks triumphed in the Rugby Championship as he overcame an injury set-back to claim his 100th Test cap and lift the trophy high above his head for the crowning victory over Argentina at the Allianz Stadium.

We keep it all things green and gold for his back row partner, as we select World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Pieter-Steph du Toit once again proved his might in the back row of the ‘Bokke-to-Bokke’ World Champions.

Ardie Savea completes the selected squad, having been a multi-tool across the back row for the All Blacks throughout both the Rugby Championship and the Autumn Nations Series. Whilst the Moana Pasifika man may have passed on the World Player of the Year accolade to Marx this past weekend, there is still plenty of backing behind Savea as the world’s best in the eight jersey.

As an out-right gain-line threat, with the versatility to offload, link in with the backs and command the emotional intensity of a nation that expects, Savea rightfully retains his international recognition to round off our selected World XV.

EDITORS PICKS:

Like this:

Like Loading…