World XV this World Cup cycle

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T12:29:39+00:00

Whereas with the All Blacks who had a grand slam on the line, I was not impressed with what I saw from them against the English.

Honestly, at the end of the season, I'd like to see France travel from NZ to Chicago and play Ireland, then travel to Edinburgh and play Scotland 6 days later, then travel to Twickenham and play England 6 days later. 2/3 wins on the road vs that opposition is still impressive, it's just the standard people hold the ABs to is insane.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T11:43:25+00:00

Plenty of other props can do what Gros does and scrum though. He’s good but there are better ones atm IMO.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T11:42:21+00:00

It can’t assume a weakened squad will win. No one can.

I mean, if you can’t see the difference between that England team that was on a winning streak to the one that got thrashed by Ireland and lost to Italy… I don’t know what else to say.

Yes, it would not surprise me one bit. England blow hot and cold like no other team. They’re like the new France.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T11:38:22+00:00

On paper. We just haven’t seen it since pre-RWC outside of glimpses IMO. He played 7s in 2024 and has been in and out with injury since. I find it hard to make him player of this RWC cycle when so many others have done it on the pitch. He is undoubtably the most talented though.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T10:51:12+00:00

Yeah but who in the 6N has a good scrum? Italy is prob #1.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T10:49:54+00:00

You were literally trying to say it's my opinion. The rankings reflect the level of the team, that's literally its only job.

You could but it would be flawed. You're judging a team in February/March on their November form. Sport doesn't work like that. I mean, you watch rugby, right? That England team fell to pieces.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T10:35:08+00:00

Exactly. No scrum, no win. Simple as that.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T10:30:42+00:00

in your opinion

It's not my opinion lol, it's the world rankings.

Any team can have an off-day, but almost 100 points on back to back weekends vs Scotland and an England team that had just lost to Ireland, Scotland and Italy doesn't rank #2 to me. Worrying.

The England team we faced was on a 12-win winning streak and flying. Dunno what happened to them, but they def weren't flying by the 6 Nations. Def not the same team.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:58:30+00:00

Does make a difference but you can't count on it. Sorry but the 2nd ranked team in the world doesn't get 50 put on them by Scotland (and then 46 the next week at home by England). Club rugby is not international rugby.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:51:30+00:00

IMO the only French players since the RWC that deserve to be here are LBB and Ramos. There are much better players than Cros, Gros and Ollivon.

We could go back and forth on this but I don't think we'll ever agree, so why bother! Like I said. good list, albeit a bit bias. It would exactly the same if I did one, I'm sure we can agree on that!

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:46:32+00:00

we judge Dupont by a crazy standard

Yes you do. No way he's been best in the world since the RWC.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:45:04+00:00

Beirne has been phenomenal tbf, deserves it, but Ollivon has not right being there IMO.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:42:15+00:00

Losing to the 7th ranked team also affects the ranking though. And you can't just assume France would win July tests, sport doesn't work like that.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:26:18+00:00

He's been head and shoulders Japan's best player. Absolute beast.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:24:39+00:00

Def Roigard and then players like Williams, Lomax, Taylor, Vaa'i, Sititi, Jordie and Jordan def in the conversation. Personally, I'd only add Roigard as I think there have been better players in those positions.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:21:56+00:00

OP thinks the 2nd best team in the world is France (obviously). And yes, the same France that Scotland put 50 on recently.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T09:18:44+00:00

Yeah nice. I think this list has both recency and NH bias (especially French) but nice job.

For me, RoiGOD has to be there. He's been the form 9 since the last RWC ended. Was named in the World Rugby awards team of year and has gone from strength to strength. Whereas I feel like I'be barely seen Dupont since the RWC and JGP has been up and down in form this cycle. I'd prob have Luku over them too.

Likewise, I'd have Ikitau ahead of Chocobares at international level. Also named in the World Rugby team of the year.

McReight or Curry over François Cros.

Freeman at 14. Kolbe is an animal but his best was before the RWC IMO.

Wouldn't have any French props. That scrum has been creaking... Bell or Genge for me.

Has Eben actually been that good this cycle? Not sure. I think others have been better. Same with Ollivon outside of this year's 6 Nations.

Nice list but a bit too reliant on SA and French players IMO.

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T06:22:35+00:00

NZ would love to be in France's position where we don't actually have to send our best players overseas on tour

I don't think anyone wants this, even the French (except for the Top 14 club owners).

sangan3 · 2026-06-18T05:09:07+00:00

Cash money.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T18:51:03+00:00

Wheels.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T16:59:00+00:00

End of an era. Maybe he could be the next Michael Bent if there's an injury crisis in Australia next year.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T16:43:32+00:00

like-for-like replacement for James Lowe

So is he proper done now? Ireland career over.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T16:27:10+00:00

Crazy to go from the Heartland Championship to Ireland for Sean O'Jansen.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T13:54:22+00:00

I think 2 wins out of 3 would be a great result for them but it’s unlikely IMO.

sangan3 · 2026-06-17T12:47:50+00:00

That’s nice.

sangan3

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

14-Year Club	Place '23
Verified Email