Monday, 24 October 2011

RWC 2015

Who would be in your home nations teams for the next World Cup?  If you're struggling here's mine...

England
15) Ben Foden- will be 30 by 2015 but has the pace and rugby brain to continue
14) Chris Ashton- is there a better wing in world rugby? Shame he wasn't used this year...
13) Manu Tuilagi- Showed everyone what he can do this year but can get even better
12) Jordan Turner-Hall- Not an obvious choice but is one of the big factors in the Quins success this season
11) Christian Wade- Explosive start to the season, deserves a chance in the national side
10) George Ford- Named IRB Young Player of the Year for a reason
9) Ben Youngs- Needs to improve his delivery but has tonnes of potential
8) Billy Vunipola- Plenty of flaws but at only 18 he has the physique to be a dynamic force at any level
7) Tom Wood- Who knows why Johnson didn't pick him this year, unsung hero of the 6 Nations
6) Callum Clark- Great first season in the spotlight with Saints, passionate; possible captain candidate?
5) James Gaskell- Massive presence in the Premiership and Sale's shining light last year
4) Courtney Lawes- Easiest pick of the whole team, massive talent
3) Dan Cole- Seems old but he is only 24 and has a few World Cups left in him
2) Dylan Hartley- Should have picked for this year's World Cup, Johnson needs to have faith
1) Alex Corbisiero- Another that impressed me this year but should have been picked ahead of Stevens

Wales
15) Leigh Halfpenny- Has the boot to play at full-back but is a natural winger
14) George North- Big strong winger had a fine world cup
13) Scott Williams- Another who impressed who impressed in New Zealand
12) Jonathan Davies- Has already developed a partnership with Williams which could span 10 years
11) Tom Prydie- Young winger blooded too early for Wales but could develop if given time
10) Rhys Priestland- I'm tempted to say Matthew Morgan but Priestland's World Cup nailed his place for a while
9) Jonathan Evans/ Mike Phillips- Problem position for the future of Welsh rugby- will Phillips be too old or will young Evans be too much of a risk?  Depends how Evans develops over the next 4 years.
8) Toby Faletau- Another to make a statement in New Zealand- big, strong powerful ball carrier
7) Sam Warburton- Will be captain for many years to come, the face of a bright rugby future for Wales
6) Dan Lydiate- Completes a strong, already accomplished, back row
5) Luke Charteris- Unsung hero in New Zealand and has the lineout skills to make Wales a force in the set piece
4) Bradley Davies- A bit mistake prone can develop leadership skills by 2015
3) Adam Jones- Never too old to be a prop, could be Wales' Leonard
2) Huw Bennett- Can improve on a decent World Cup and nail his place in this side
1) Simon Gardiner- Has the talent and physique of a certain Gethin Jenkins, no pressure then...

Ireland
15) Rob Kearney- Will be in his prime by 2015 just have to hope he remains injury free
14) Keith Earls- One of the few young exciting Irish prospects of the last few years
13) Luke Fitzgerald- Can see him making the switch inside at International level
12) Nevin Spence- Impressed in last years Heineken Cup, surprise inclusion
11) Andrew Conway- Usually a full-back but has the pace to play on the wing with Kearney better under the high ball
10) Jonathan Sexton- With O'Gara out of the picture he can only go from strength to strength
9) Connor Murray- An emerging talent after an impressive World Cup
8) Jamie Heaslip- Will be captain and a key influence on the side
7) Sean O'Brien- Finally a European openside to compete at the breakdown with the Southern Hemisphere giants
6) Stephen Ferris- If he stays away from injury he could be a key figure in Irelands team
5) Ian Nagle- Already being likened to the likes of Paul O'Connell
4) Devin Toner- The Leinster giant is clear to make an impact without O'Callaghan and O'Connell
3) Paddy McAllister- Young Ulster prop has a lot to work on but looks as if he has potential
2) Sean Cronin- Looks more impressive the more I see him, reminiscent of Keith Wood
1) Cian Healy- Proved on a world stage what everyone in Ireland knew he could do all along, destroy an Aussie front row

I know I said I'd do all the home nations but the lack of talent in Scotland left me completely baffled and I decided those Scots out there why don't you put up your own teams and prove me wrong because I don't see the point in wasting my time making a team that will do well to make the quarter finals

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