IT WAS A momentous 2018 for Ireland as they won a Grand Slam and a much-anticipated Test against the World Champions, but a World XV can’t be made up entirely of Joe Schmidt’s team… can it?
15. Beauden Barrett
Perhaps the best attacking talent in the game, so even though we couldn’t squeeze him into the 10 shirt, we had to find space somewhere. The All Black star’s scorching pace, beautiful passing and running lines ensure he is never far from the World Player of the Year discussion.
14. Aphiwe Dyantyi
South Africa were massively rejuvenated this year under Rassie Erasmus and the electric wing was a major beneficiary. Gave the ‘Boks a razor sharp cutting edge to beautifully complement the traditional sledgehammer up front.
Dyantyi on the attack against England. Zuma Press / PA Images
Zuma Press / PA Images / PA Images
13. Garry Ringrose
Ireland juggled their centres by necessity through their stellar year, but the young Leinster man consistently showed up on the biggest stages to offer his classy attack and steely defensive game to the cause.
12. Owen Farrell
Say what you like about his tackles, you want Farrell in the team alongside you rather than opposite you. Brilliant whether he plays 10 or 12 with slick distribution and a willingness to enter contacts well above his weight class.
11. Jacob Stockdale
The irrepressible and prolific Ulster man just keeps answering questions over his game with try after try. His score against the All Blacks was a brilliant example of a man who won’t let setbacks scare him off the trail.
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10. Johnny Sexton
Who knows where Ireland’s year might have ended up if Sexton had not stood up and taken all the pressure of Paris on it shoulders when it most counted? The world’s best out-half because he is now an astute game manager as well as an incisive attacker.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
9. Conor Murray
Missed the November Tests despite Steve Hansen assuring us he was fit and ready. But the Limerick man already had more than enough credit in the bank after guiding Ireland to a Grand Slam and the series win in Australia.
1. Cian Healy
A thoroughbred of a workhorse for Ireland. Accurate at the breakdown and still explosive in open play while getting the core duty – scrummaging – square and straight as a matter of routine.
Had a shaky November, but his power in the tight and the loose was the nucleus of South Africa’s remarkable return to the top echelon of the game.
3. Tadhg Furlong
Passing, boshing and there was even a kick in there. Furlong’s attacking repertoire sometimes sounds like he ought to be an inside centre. The best prop in the game.
4. Brodie Retallick
Wasn’t at his best in the tail end of his season in Dublin, but otherwise maintained his incredibly high standards of physicality and game-turning interventions to ensure New Zealand at least won out in the southern hemisphere.
5. James Ryan
James Ryan takes on the All Blacks. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
22 years old, driving Ireland towards titles and the top of world rankings and there is still no sign of a ceiling for his talent.
6. Pieter Steph du Toit
An incredibly physical presence in South Africa’s back row that helped pave the way for their win over England and some ding-dong battles with New Zealand. He was so good, we had to move Peter O’Mahony.
7. Peter O’Mahony
Playing the Munster captain out of position in this team because Ireland found success with a variety of opensides this year. But it is impossible to escape the change in fortunes for Joe Schmidt’s side since O’Mahony was thrust back into the starting line-up against England back in March 2017.
Gamechanger: Peter O'Mahony beating backs to a loose ball in November. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
David Pocock may remain the best seven in the game, but he doesn’t always play there either. And when pitted toe-to-toe with O’Mahony over the summer, the gruff Corkman was every bit as influential on the ground and they sent Israel Foloau to contend with him in the air.
His finest hour came in the win over New Zealand. His turnover allowed Ireland kick for the line-out that created the decisive try, and even though he hobbled through much of the second half, he came up with a miraculous grab on a loose bouncing ball that looked tailor-made for Ben Smith to power onto en route under the posts.
Really settled into the number eight role with Ireland having initially played blindside for Schmidt. Utterly relentless in carrying through hard yards for his team and clever in his selection of turnover attempts at the breakdown. When he does get set through a gap, he’s hard to stop too.
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The42’s finest international XV of 2018
IT WAS A momentous 2018 for Ireland as they won a Grand Slam and a much-anticipated Test against the World Champions, but a World XV can’t be made up entirely of Joe Schmidt’s team… can it?
15. Beauden Barrett
Perhaps the best attacking talent in the game, so even though we couldn’t squeeze him into the 10 shirt, we had to find space somewhere. The All Black star’s scorching pace, beautiful passing and running lines ensure he is never far from the World Player of the Year discussion.
14. Aphiwe Dyantyi
South Africa were massively rejuvenated this year under Rassie Erasmus and the electric wing was a major beneficiary. Gave the ‘Boks a razor sharp cutting edge to beautifully complement the traditional sledgehammer up front.
13. Garry Ringrose
Ireland juggled their centres by necessity through their stellar year, but the young Leinster man consistently showed up on the biggest stages to offer his classy attack and steely defensive game to the cause.
12. Owen Farrell
Say what you like about his tackles, you want Farrell in the team alongside you rather than opposite you. Brilliant whether he plays 10 or 12 with slick distribution and a willingness to enter contacts well above his weight class.
11. Jacob Stockdale
The irrepressible and prolific Ulster man just keeps answering questions over his game with try after try. His score against the All Blacks was a brilliant example of a man who won’t let setbacks scare him off the trail.
10. Johnny Sexton
Who knows where Ireland’s year might have ended up if Sexton had not stood up and taken all the pressure of Paris on it shoulders when it most counted? The world’s best out-half because he is now an astute game manager as well as an incisive attacker.
9. Conor Murray
Missed the November Tests despite Steve Hansen assuring us he was fit and ready. But the Limerick man already had more than enough credit in the bank after guiding Ireland to a Grand Slam and the series win in Australia.
1. Cian Healy
A thoroughbred of a workhorse for Ireland. Accurate at the breakdown and still explosive in open play while getting the core duty – scrummaging – square and straight as a matter of routine.
2. Malcolm Marx
Had a shaky November, but his power in the tight and the loose was the nucleus of South Africa’s remarkable return to the top echelon of the game.
3. Tadhg Furlong
Passing, boshing and there was even a kick in there. Furlong’s attacking repertoire sometimes sounds like he ought to be an inside centre. The best prop in the game.
4. Brodie Retallick
Wasn’t at his best in the tail end of his season in Dublin, but otherwise maintained his incredibly high standards of physicality and game-turning interventions to ensure New Zealand at least won out in the southern hemisphere.
5. James Ryan
22 years old, driving Ireland towards titles and the top of world rankings and there is still no sign of a ceiling for his talent.
6. Pieter Steph du Toit
An incredibly physical presence in South Africa’s back row that helped pave the way for their win over England and some ding-dong battles with New Zealand. He was so good, we had to move Peter O’Mahony.
7. Peter O’Mahony
Playing the Munster captain out of position in this team because Ireland found success with a variety of opensides this year. But it is impossible to escape the change in fortunes for Joe Schmidt’s side since O’Mahony was thrust back into the starting line-up against England back in March 2017.
David Pocock may remain the best seven in the game, but he doesn’t always play there either. And when pitted toe-to-toe with O’Mahony over the summer, the gruff Corkman was every bit as influential on the ground and they sent Israel Foloau to contend with him in the air.
His finest hour came in the win over New Zealand. His turnover allowed Ireland kick for the line-out that created the decisive try, and even though he hobbled through much of the second half, he came up with a miraculous grab on a loose bouncing ball that looked tailor-made for Ben Smith to power onto en route under the posts.
8. CJ Stander
Really settled into the number eight role with Ireland having initially played blindside for Schmidt. Utterly relentless in carrying through hard yards for his team and clever in his selection of turnover attempts at the breakdown. When he does get set through a gap, he’s hard to stop too.
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