Selecting a RWC 2019 XV with just one player from a country
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With the Rugby World Cup is just days away and we can look forward to seeing some of the greatest talents from around the world come together and compete.
Here's a combined XV of rugby players at the World Cup, using only one player per country.
1. Mikheil Naraishvili (Georgia)
The 29-year-old Georgian veteran, who plays his club rugby for Montpelier, has 56 caps for his national team and played in the 2015 World Cup. He is a devastating scrummager and is likely to give his opposite numbers a hard time.
2. Joe Taufete’e (United States of America)
The Hooker is a try scoring machine from the maul and has scored 20 tries in 22 appearances for the USA until now. Taufete’e currently holds the record for the most international tries by any player in the tight five.
Who is adding @taufetee to their #RWC2019 Fantasy team? πβοΈ
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 11, 2019
He has already scored more tries than any other front-rower in test rugby historyπ€― pic.twitter.com/YllIQqXJKe
3. WP Nel (Scotland)
The South African born, tight head prop, has become a regular for the Scots since 2015 and will be competing in his second World Cup.
Nel is a powerful scrummager, strong ball carrier and has the odd good touch with ball in hand.
4. Alun Wyn Jones - Captain (Wales)
Not only is the Welsh captain an unbelievable professional, he is the world's most-capped lock forward and is Wales' most capped international player.
Need we say much more?
5. James Ryan (Ireland)
The Leinster lock only made his Irish debut 2 years ago and has turned into an incredible international player. Ryan is one of the first names on Joe Schmidt’s team sheet and will no doubt be a big player for them in Japan.
James Ryan v Wales π
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 7, 2019
π 10 carries
π 12 running metres
π¨ 1 defender beaten
πͺ 10 tackles
β 0 missed tackles
π₯ 1 turnover won
π 1 try scored#IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/bRNN6Ib4ii
6. Michael Leitch (Japan)
The Sunwolves star possesses the skill to play anywhere across the back row, and he has the ability to force turnovers no matter who he comes up against.
Look no further than Leitch's performance against England last November to see just how prolific he is.
WHAT A HALF FROM MICHAEL LEITCH!!!! π π₯#ENGvJPN Live Updates πhttps://t.co/iEXSVrScVY pic.twitter.com/iYEhemtCLE
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) November 17, 2018
7. David Pocock (Australia)
The Australian loose forward is simply the best fetcher in the business. Even Sam Warburton thinks so, rating him as a more difficult opponent than All Blacks' great Richie McCaw in a recent interview with Land Rover.
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
The Italian captain is the third most capped player in the world and to this day still is considered one of the best in his position. The No.8 will appear in his fifth and final World Cup.
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
The Toulouse No.9 is one of the most talented scrum-halves in world rugby right now and can also cover flyhalf.
England scrumhalf Ben Youngs was full of praise for the youngster.
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10. Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)
He is a constant performer for his national and would be an asset in any starting 15 in world rugby. The No.10 has scored 728 points over 77 tests and is the top scorer for Los Pumas. He was also the top points scorer at the last World Cup with 97 points.
11. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
The South African flyer is one of the most improved players in the world and is certainly due a starting spot in the Springbok team. The 25-year-old,who plays for Toulouse, has been exceptional this year for club and country and is bound to score plenty tries.
Cheslin Kolbe talks about his test call up, first try against the All Blacks and shares his thoughts on the size of rugby players https://t.co/lgTeycoMfq
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 14, 2019
12. Manu Tuilagi (England)
The 28-year-old midfielder played in eight of England’s nine tests this year and when in form has the ability to dominate the best in the world. So If England are to go all the way this year it will mean that the devastating centre runs riot.
π£οΈ"He almost single-handedly beat the All Blacks in 2012" - @AndyGoode10 backs Manu Tuilagi to shine at the #RWC2019 https://t.co/ZaiWO1Yijk
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 17, 2019
13. Semi Radradra (Fiji)
The Fijian might not be the most defensively sound centre in world rugby, but he sure has the ability to rip holes in defensive lines and is a joy to watch when in full flight.
14. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
The All Black veteran is “Mr Reliable” so whether he is on the wing or playing fullback, Smith has played 80 Tests for his country and has won two World Cups as a player.
15. Tim Nanai-Williams (Samoa)
Samoa always have the capability to cause an upset, but they will need Nanai-Williams with his experience to lead them in the right direction. The New Zealand born star has the x-factor to turn games upside down in a matter of minutes.