HALFBACKS
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
As anticipated, the fly half role was the hardest to decipher in our updated World XV. We have opted for All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett to take the accolade of being the best number 10 on the planet today, with a case to be made that the Blues man could also take the fullback mantle under his ownership if he so much of fancied the run-out.
However, it is tight at the top, with Barrett facing an ever-closing chasing pack of several of the world’s best out-halves. George Ford is well worth a mention after a stellar Autumn Series campaign, as Steve Borthwick continues to deploy the Sale Sharks man at the helm of his side for world-class ship-steering performances against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina throughout November.
Joining Ford amongst the honourable mentions is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa, who has exploded onto the Test stage with a fearsome Rugby Championship campaign and he looks like the man Rassie Erasmus wants to lead the Springboks to a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.
Finn Russell also comes to mind to be the World XV’s linchpin, as the Scottish maestro was stellar for the most part of his side’s Autumn efforts. Ireland’s Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast also present compelling cases for inclusion, yet Andy Farrell’s dynamic duo join the chasing pack for the time being.
With Barrett our pick at 10, we look to Ireland for the scrum half involvement. Jamison Gibson-Park had a tremendous November series, despite an overall mix bag of results for Andy Farrell’s side. The Leinster man has been pressed for his nine jersey by Munster’s Craig Casey, with JGP retaining the role of his nation’s leading halfback following a strong Lions tour and impressive Autumn efforts against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
FRONT ROW
1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
3. Thomas du Toit (South Africa)
Onto the forward pack now, with England’s first contribution to the World XV coming from their un-caged ‘Baby Rhino’ Ellis Genge. The Bristol Bears man has returned to his top form upon the international stage, as following a starring role upon the Lions tour, Genge enjoyed a brief stint as England captain in the Autumn and blew away the opposition scrum when Borthwick’s own ‘Bomb Squad’ was ignited. Ox Nche takes an honourable mention, yet an Autumn Series ending injury curtailed his hopes at the final hurdle.
Malcolm Marx is the easiest choice of the entire XV, as the South Africa front row has been back to his best for the Springboks.
A star man for Erasmus’ side that triumphed in the 2025 Rugby Championship, Marx has since been unplayable up-front, with his efforts dutifully recognised as the 2025 World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year. The first hooker to take home the trophy since Ireland legend Keith Wood in 2001, Marx’s accolade puts him at the professional mountain top for this selected squad.
We stick with the Springboks for the tight-head option, with Thomas du Toit proving to be an immovable presence in both his nations gold and green, as well as the blue, black and white of Bath. Whether it be the Bomb Squad, the Bath Bomb, or a role in the starting XV, ‘Thomas the Tank’ has steadily steamrolled his opponents, with the West Country club set to miss their man as he will return to South Africa with a move to the Sharks, at the end of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season.
Like this:
Like Loading…