Reader's Blindside Flanker of the Year

As the year draws to a close we take a look back at the year that was and have nominated four players from each position for your team of the year.

We have included players based on their club and test form, particularly their form at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In case you missed them, we selected the four nominees for Loosehead prop, Hooker, tighthead prop, the no.4 lock and no.5 lock 

We move onto the loose trio:

Pablo Matera - Argentina

- Lead the Jaguares to the Super Rugby Final

- Was one of the standout performers in Super Rugby this year.

- Put in solid performances for Argentina in a disappointing World Cup. 

Pieter-Steph du Toit - South Africa 

- A standout for the Stormers in a disappointing Super Rugby season

- He was the only player to average 10+ carries and 10+ tackles per game in Super Rugby in 2019

- He made 36 tackles in The Rugby Championship in 2019, more than any other player, while his five clean breaks were the most of any forward.

- Won the Rugby Championship

- Starred at the Rugby World Cup where South Africa won the competition.

- Named World Player of the Year

- Nominated for Springbok Player of the Year (yet to be announced)

Aaron Wainwright - Wales

- A standout season with the Cardiff Blues earned him a call up in the summer 2018.

- He continued that form in 2019 and was re-selected.

- Featured in all of Wales' Grand Slam Six Nations matches.

- Played in 6 of Wales 7 World Cup matches scoring one try. 

- He featured in a number of publications' team of the tournament.

Tom Curry - England

- Starred for Sale Sharks in just about every single game he played.

- Stood out in the Six Nations scoring two tries and cemented a starting role for the World Cup.

- Formed a sensational combination with Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola at the World Cup.

- Played in all Six of England's World Cup matches.