One question. Two very different answers.

The best fly half in Ireland. That at least, from Ronan O'Gara's pre-quarter final comments, is what we were due to discover when the dust settled on the Heineken's last 8 stage. The rivalry between Ireland's record point scorer and his Leinster counterpart, and usurper has tip-toed along the boundaries of sourness. O'Gara's name was booed before by home supporters before Leinster and Munster's clash at the RDS in October. Indeed, O'Gara himself moved in the week to attack the Dublin media (and some of the British) for their insinuations that he was personally high up the list of those responsible for Ireland's torrid demise in Paris during the Six Nations.

It was during this defence that O'Gara took a thinly veiled metaphoric rake of the studs to the performances of his rival; suggesting that Ireland would not have lost the Triple Crown decider, and farewell to Croke Park against Scotland if he, not Sexton, had 10 emblazoned on his back. It is a theory that perhaps holds some credence. Sexton's RBS Six Nations goal kicking percentages regularly rattled around the 30% mark, simply not good enough at the highest level. Under pressure also his kicking out of hand looked less stable but it mask far greater fault-lines in the Irish set up. The line out against Scotland worryingly failed, too many one up tackles were missed throughout the championship (particularly in Paris) and the front row troubles should now have reached code red. You can compete with a front row that is merely ok at scrum time (as England illustrated) but you simply cannot compete with Ireland's. So trying to dictate a game off wonky set piece ball is difficult and naturally impinges on other areas of you game.

So would O’Gara be proven right on Friday? Would Sexton's big game bottle hold as his own had done so many times for Munster at this stage before? Well yes actually. The Dubliner banged over 19 points and ran a sublime wrap-around two free the space for Jamie Heaslip's second score of the night. He tackled everything that moved, took the ball to the line and was at the heart of all Leinster's aggressive intent as they roared back into the game after a dismal first 20 minutes. Most crucially at no point did he lose his head. His nerve. If O'Gara wanted Sexton's big game nerve testing he got it in this one point thriller under the lights; and the young upstart proved he had bucket loads. So this answered the question didn't it? Sexton's jittery form against Scotland and England forgotten. Last minute Magners league drop goals and holding his nerve in the all consuming fog to hold off the World champions in the autumn remembered. Ireland's choice at 10.

Well, no. Because a much bigger question mark came up against his game than people leaping on statistics garnered from less than 2 full Six Nations games. The question mark here is that man from Cork. The city prided on its battling spirit, deliberate difference and outspoken-ness. The rebel county. O'Gara came on at Twickenham to lead Ireland back from the brink to anther historic win on English soil. He is the master of creating pressure and subsequent opportunity for his sides. On Saturday evening, in what has become the house he built, Thomond Park, O'Gara put on a performance that must be filed in the draw marked 'vintage R'OG'. Floating and firing balls into the Limerick corners with the precision of a scratch golfer, he constantly put his Paul O'Connell-less side in areas they wanted to be in. His Garryowen game would have made the old boys on the Thomond terraces from the famous Limerick club blush that a Cork man could make them so his own. Jean de Villiers did have his best game for Munster, Keith Earls was incisive and the hugely under rated Mick O'Driscoll made O'Connell's presence barely unnoticed. Big game rugby is all about pressure. O'Gara builds pressure like no other. And Jonathon Sexton is going to keep on finding that out.

Six Nations Winners and Losers

The XV takes a look at who's reputation is wallowing in the mud and who's broke in to space in the 2010 RBS Six Nations.


WINNERS

Morgan Parra (France) - The stand out player of the tournament. Always inventive without the same propensity to self destruct as many of France's other mercurial talents have done in the past. Fiery enough, assesses what's in front of him so quickly his decisions look premeditated, were it not for their variety and ruthlessness. Always bright and busy makes defences static and always the the enormous French side on the front foot. Perhaps a weakness at ruck fringe defence when a sides going through the phases (most prevalent against the Scottish back row at Murrayfield) but goal kicked with swagger and perfection. A new star is born.

Tommy Bowe (Ireland) - One of the few Lions starts to not only come out of the tournament with his reputation intact but enhanced. Defences maybe aware of where if inside shoulder support running and 10 channel lines but they still can't stop the Monaghan flyer. Improving consistently under the high ball and rarely beaten one on one his defence is solid but it his attacking instincts are what make him special; is there a better line runner in world rugby? The premier finisher in the hemisphere.

Johnnie Beattie (Scotland) - Could have been any of the so called "killer B's" of the Scottish back row that made a mockery of the big reputations elsewhere to prove to be the best unit in the competition. Hard tackling, and quick and incredibly strong over the ball, Beattie has prototype back row skill sets matched with being a fantastic athlete and an even better footballer. In an era of great ogres who like to run into people hard and watch the ball bounce of their creatine inflated chests Beattie's handling and footwork are a joy. Great support runner, lovely pace and a seemingly massive heart he is a throw back of the best kind. If they stay fit Scotland have something to build a team around.

Keith Earls (Ireland) - In a team that often flattered to deceive and was plagued with errors earls really progressed his name. Still armed with the tools that have brought him to prominence he showed that his ruthless finishing form at provincial and AIB level would transfer to the biggest stage. After a predominately uncomfortable time on the Lions tour, with many questioning whether he should be moved to wing or full back Earls showed in Gordon D'Arcy's absence that he is still comfortable at the top table in the centre. His threat from deep or in midfield maintain him as a special talent. Confidence regained, more experience under his belt and many fears about his game being proven unfounded Earls continues to progress.

Clement Poitrenaud (France) - Rob Kearney they said. Rob Kearney and Lee Byrne they said. Possibly Delon Armitage with Rob Kearney and Lee Byrne they said. No conversation about who the best full back in the world might be is complete until this man's name is in the frame. Shook up the doubters once more and burst back in to life in a competition where not a great deal of that when on. Seems to finally be ironing out his inconsistencies. Clement playing like this ends the debate.


LOSERS

Martyn Williams (Wales) - The embodiment of a horrible tournament for the Welsh. Heartbreaking to say but this time it really may be terminal for Martyn at international level after so much tremendous service. Never seemed to be in positions he's made his own; on the ball carriers shoulder in attack or at the centre of the ruck scrapping in defence. The body may explain the worrying number of missed tackles but the mind doesn't seem to be getting him out of trouble and in to the action like it used to either. His performances gave Sam Warburton consideration for the tournament winners. Martyn's fought back before but is this one time too many? In an expected Welsh rethink Williams needs a huge end to the Magners season.

James Haskell (England) - Never has the phrase 'flatter to deceive' ever seemed more apt than for Haskell. Physically he seems to have everything you would want for a 6 or 8. Massive, quick, scores tries reasonable hands yet for some reason he has never delivered not just on the big occasion for England but on the big stage at club level too. It seemed more than a little ironic that after all the bluster over his missing the Tolouse Stade Francais clash he failed to show up at Murrayfield. All bluster hype never an end product. Many have shouldered the blame for England's stale attacking on Wilkinson, but Haskell is at the heart of it. If you are picked primarily for your dynamism and to get quick go forward your place should be under threat if you don't. Offers little else to the back row. Should have been his last chance time to look elsewhere.

Andy Powell (Wales) - Too many silly off field mistakes in conjunction with not learning your lessens on it, equals massive trouble. Perhaps saved by Gareth Delve and Johnathon Thomas' inability to impress in replacing what he brings gives him a glimmer of hope. However very much abetting his late night munchies in the last chance saloon. Time to decide whether he's going to be a serious rugby player or is content as the high school jock caricature he has created.

Euan Murray (Scotland) - The Scottish front row were a huge let down. Normally dependable they too often failed in their assignments at critical times, no more obviously than in Rome. Murray, who heading in to the championship was considered by many (including writing here) to be one of the world's premier scrummagers was an enormous let down and at the heart of penalties and problems aplenty. One of the main catalysts for Scottish collapse in Rome and Cardiff, must rebuild his reputation in the Saints hunt for a treble.

The Worst Grand Slam champions ever?

Is it possible that there has ever been a less impressive set of grand slam winners than France of 2010? This is not to attack France themselves per say. They were efficient, compact and strong going both ways and were rarely if at all in danger of defeat in any of their five tournament matches. But it is exactly this that leads me to the original question; is this the least inspiring Grand Slam of all time?

France never slipped out of third gear at best. They never once needed to. Morgan Parra goal kicked beautifully often and crackled and fizzed with the occasional threat, which showed his potential to explode into life, but was never really required to do so. As France and the tournaments' best player he personified the general performance of our champions; good enough. I constantly yearned to know how good are this French side really? But here were no huge moments to test them, no moments of adversity in which for us to measure the true character of this side, no need to urge themselves to brilliance.

This is to take nothing from France who were clearly the best a generally sub standard tournament had to offer. Their tight five always had them in the game, Francois Trinh-Duc directed solid patterns, the back row was athletic and embodied the general physicality of the side as a whole, whilst Jauzion and Basteraud were by far the form centre pairing. In Morgan Parra and Clement Poitrenaud France had two of the tournaments few stand out players. Poitrenaud's vibrant counter attacking and astute, rather than aimless, kicking game was a cautionary tale to the cautious; the best form of defence is attack. Parra is simply a spiky magician in the most stereotypical French traditions. Alive and open to any option of pass, kick, run, what became most striking was the way he committed defenders. He ran AT players; moved them with footwork, body movement, trickery but he made them make decisions. Too many of the Six Nations 9's first movement with the ball was across the pitch. Scrum Half play is about pace as much as efficiency. This sideways motion buys a defence too much time and makes the decision easy; it puts the decision back on the attacker and at this level of rugby you cannot always beat someone like that.

In spite of these two and the glimpses of promise from Mark Andreu and David Marty, France were no better than fine. Steady, safe. They just simply made fewer mistakes and whilst that should not be a criticism at a professional level, it does leave the mind in a state of limbo when trying to ascertain the actual quality of this French side in the run up to the World Cup.

So congratulations go to France, comfortable champions. We hope that messers Kidney and Robinson, Gatland, Mallet and Johnson are already back at their easels thinking again. We wait to see what they come up with. We do likewise with the true measure of this French side.

The King is dead, long live the Warriors

Chris Latham's end of season departure from Worcester Warriors is the best thing that has happened to the club since...well since the news was announced that Chris Latham was joining the club. Sounds contradictory? It isn't.


When Latham arrived in late August 2008 he was a symbol of Worcester's progress, ambition and success to that point. Having survived by the skin of their teeth the previous 3 premiership campaigns Worcester were again perilously near the drop in the 2007-8 season. Without a win before Christmas the club were staring over the edge. Varying levels of All Black experience had come to Sixways in the shape of Rico Gear, Greg Rawlinson and Sam Tuitupou all on good money. Whilst the ambitious East Stand complex and infrastructure projects on Pershore Lane were already well under way, again at great expense. If the club had faltered, the fall would have been even more cataclysmic than the rise. As it was the Warriors embarked on a fantastic second half of the season run, which saw them pick up 6 wins and a draw out their final 12 fixtures; including home wins over end of season table toppers Gloucester, and beaten Grand Finalists Leicester. Coupled with this relatively comfortable survival Worcester reached the Challenge Cup Final, where they lost out to Bath. The resurgence on the pitch seemed to be mirrored off it. The new stand was completed in 2008 holding 6,000 supporters and extra corporate spaces for increased revenues. Former Welsh U21 grand slam winning stand-off Matthew Jones arrived and, of course, the man described as "the best full-back in the world". It seemed the blend of promising talent and experienced international quality on the field and the opportunity for increased revenues off it meant that 2008-9 would be the year the Warriors took the next step in becoming a Premiership influence.

In spite of all the optimism, this wasn't to be the case. Injuries and what transpired to be poor pieces of business confounded Warriors shaky form. They once again scraped to survival, in spite of taking an absolute pasting at the Memorial Ground against the eventually relegated Bristol. Latham personally played amicably scoring 42 in 20 appearances, but it quickly became apparent that the team had been constructed backwards and with too many risks and reliance’s. Two of Worcester's most influential and highly paid players, Latham and Gear, were for large swathes of games irrelevant owing to the ineptitude of their half backs and lack of go forward in the back row. Offensively the midfield was stodgy and one dimensional and in spite of a good platform the team lacked creativity, clueless as to how best to get the flair players in to the game. To say the side defensively was porous is an understatement.


This season has followed a similar pattern. For all the obvious aesthetic improvements, the rugby still is not winning rugby. The same problems at half back, back row ball carrying and phase retention still persist. In spite of Latham playing in all but one of the Warriors league games this season, the side are not difficult to locate in the standings, sitting, as they perennially do, second bottom. Latham hasn't contributed a point yet. Whether it's an inability of those inside him to create the space or provide the right passes, whether he's a marked man or whether simply some of the zip has gone in those 32 year old legs Latham's contribution to Worcester on the field has continued on a downward trend. Blasphemous though it may be to the Sixways faithful who have turned him in to a cult hero over the past two seasons, Luke Rooney is an immediate improvement at full back.

Standing at 6ft 3in Rooney is impressively physical, solid under the high ball and amazingly experienced across both codes for a 26 year old. He picks lovely lines in the middle of the field and his power helps exploit these in to gain line advantages. His physicality is matched by pace to burn but his most impressive asset is his finishing. The guy is absolutely ruthless. 6 tries in 6 test matches as a Rugby League Kangaroo(including the marvel of malleability that was his last gasp winner against Great Britain in the 2004 Tri-Nations series at Eastland’s), and a regular on canal+ top ten tries of the week show for the French Top 14, Rooney's pedigree should strike fear in to Premiership defences. Pace and power in an outside back has often lead to a lack of imagination in their attacking play but Rooney does not succumb to this laziness. A wonderful 'in-to-out' move particularly off his right foot is perhaps the prize asset in his attacking wares. Age-wise he should be coming in to his peak, and having made no secret of his ambitions to become an England international (he holds a British passport) Rooney has the complete package; hunger, talent, pedigree and even some untapped potential.

The Latham experiment should be applauded. After failures to attract previously linked high profile players (such as Stephen Larkham), Latham proved Worcester could attract the highest profile players. His statement signing took Worcester to a new level in this regard but the step was not significant enough. Worcester must capitalize on what they did right in attracting Latham; and ensnare one of the marquee names such as James Hook and Mike Blair that are being bandied around as potential additions. They must also learn on what they did wrong, and address the team properly, front to back. There is no point having the finishers and the game plan in place to suit them, if you don't have the players to execute inside them. If they are successful in this then Chris Latham and Luke Rooney will both go down as great chapters in a long term Worcester success story.

The XV's Team of the Decade

As this decade comes to a close it seems remiss to pass up the opportunity to throw The XV's 10cents worth into the team of the decade debate. The criteria for selection were as follows;
i) Iconic moments and stand out performances were preferred to overall consistent performance throughout the decade
ii) Selection was based on both club/provincial achievement as well as international
iii) Winners were generally preferred for bringing that ethos to our side
iv) The side is merely a best 15 players, not necessarily involving the best balanced side possible for selection
An impossible task for a decade that contained some truly iconic moments but here’s our XV. Your thoughts, as always, are much appreciated!


Loose Head Prop

The prop positions have been problematic. The unnatural physicality required to succeed at the position have meant props often rotate not only from game to game, but within the 80minutes themselves. Injuries are frequent and career shelf-life perhaps shorter than in other areas of the field because the position has evolved more than any other in the decade. Props were expected to do progressively more than just secure scrummage ball; rucking dynamism, athletic ball carrying and increased tackling productivity were demanded in conjunction with the solid set play basics. France has excelled beyond all others in producing this prop utopian of brute force and classy dynamism but none, domestically or internationally has effectively stood out from the others enough to win through. Not one has truly dominated the decade. The versatile Gethin Jenkins was a strong consideration on both sides of the front row. 5 Lions test caps and 2 Grand Slams support the explosive performances from his 2003 debut to the end of the decade. Never less than phenomenally hard working in the loose, and at his best, destructive in the scrum with a touch of class with ball in hand Jenkins was hard to overlook. But after much agonizing Martin Castrogiovanni was the selection.
Whilst ostensibly a tight head his work in the loose is second to none and the transition would not daunt him. If “Castro” (as he prefers to have emblazoned on his shirts) was a movie, the poster tagline would read ‘where old world meets new’. With his caveman hair and beard, and socks rolled down is he smashes another scrum with almost worrying glee he is a throwback in both appearance and attitude. Yet, the youth team basketball players confident handling, surprising pace and impressive try scoring record make him the benchmark for modern day prop forwards to aspire to. Man of the Match in Italy’s maiden Six Nations victory, Castro is also perhaps this side’s symbol of the progress of Italian rugby in the decade, which culminated this autumn in a staggering 80,000 people heading to the San Siro to watch the national side take on the All Blacks. With domestic medals (2005 Italian League title, 2 Guinness Premiership titles and Anglo-Welsh cup) to back up his popularity and impressive performances in a struggling national side Castrogiovanni is the complete package.

Hooker

Hooker is perhaps the most controversial selection in the side. In other sides dotted about the various sports blogs and publications South African World Cup winning Captain John Smit has been the consensus choice. His name was strongly debated in regard to he XV’s team. A CV containing not only a World Cup win but a brace of Tri-Nations titles and a Lions Series victory are certainly not to be shunned. But I have always felt Smit has been somewhat carried by those around him, his leadership, rather than his play have kept him in good sides. There is no doubt at the end of the decade he was a poor second to Bismarck du Plessis in the race to be springbok hooker and in a straight fight for the hooking jersey in Clermont he finished second and returned home after just one year in France. It is the man who won that jersey who takes the hooking birth in this outfit, Argentina’s Mario Ledesma. The rise of Argentinean rugby in the noughties is probably the success story of the decade. Beaten World Cup semi-finalists by the end of the decade and Tri-Nations rugby to look forward to from 2012, “Super Mario” epitomized the thrusting new force in World rugby. A stand out front row forward in a Top 14 not short on such a commodity Ledesma is a worthy choice.

Tight Head Prop

As was mentioned in the loose head section, Gethin Jenkins was again considered for this position but in the decade of big scrummagers no one quite did it like All Black Carl Hayman. Rugby’s highest paid player racked up 45 All Black caps in a side that dominated World rugby between World Cups, before heading to Newcastle in 2007. Leading a very young Falcons side with aplomb and still seen as so integral to the national teams’ success, that tireless efforts are being made to ensure his return for 2011 World Cup back home. The premier prop in world rugby full stop.

4&5. Lock

The Second Row was another congested area of not only stand performers but massive leadership also. The decision in the end became fairly straightforward but those left out would grace any side. Honourable mentions need to go to Simon Shaw, so often the forgotten man in the decade but a tight forward of genuine skill and to say the biggest hearted Lions tourist of all time may not be stretching the point. Made up for lack of England caps by filling his domestic trophy cabinet. The mountainous Fabian Pelous of France and Stade Toulousain. Huge club success, Six Nation triumphs as captain of his country and finished his international career as third highest capped Test match player of all time. The most recent Lion captain, Paul O’Connell, also falls in to the category of the unfortunate. In domestic rugby Munster redefined what the club was and where it stood in rugby conscience; the province can be widely referenced in the success story of the Heineken Cup. As an integral part of this success alone O’Connell is a worthy candidate, before looking at his role in the resurgence of the Irish national side climaxing in the end of the long wait for the Grand Slam. But in the end 2 influential World Cup winners could not be overlooked. Victor Matfield was imperious both for South Africa on their way to World Cup glory and for the Blue Bulls dominance of the latter part of the domestic decade. The World’s best lineout forward, with an insatiable appetite for work if the Lock slot really is the “engine room” of the team, then this side is in no danger of breaking down. Matfield is almost a mark II of his partner in this side, England’s World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson. In a game increasingly played by giants Johnson was still able to be physically intimidating to his opponents. As revered by fans as he was respected by colleagues, Johnson was the heartbeat of the English ‘invincibles’ of the early part of the decade, with domestic success only adding to his legend.

Back Row

The back row was at ones stage fairly fluid in this side with guys shuffling from their traditional positions to be accommodated. In the end however, the back row has taken on an orthodox look with an abrasive ball hog 6, a fetcher and harasser at 7 and physicality, both carrying the ball and defending at 8. Martyn Williams of Wales deserves mention in the open-side debate. Wales’ 2 Grand Slams of the decade were built around a string of man of match performances by Williams, and his ability to help revitalize welsh rugby post 2007 World Cup disappointment deserves huge praise. As does another fine Lions Tour, and his huge class in the face of farce in the Heineken semis. The ignominy of a missed penalty shootout goal should never be bestowed on another in this coming decade. However, it was impossible not to select the All Black captain Richie McCaw(C). Very probably the best back row forward ever to play the game McCaw’s game is as near perfection as possible. Try scoring; support running, turnovers, slowing ball and enormous tackling have made him the most respected player currently playing the game. The only player ever to win the IRB World Player of the year twice, personally, domestically and internationally McCaw is one of the games most decorated players. In fact a World Cup is all that is missing to befit his talents in the new decade. The statistics that as Captain Richie McCaw has a win percentage of 90.9% in Test matches and 90% as a player in his 70 Tests is almost unparralled in professional sport. For these reason McCaw is also the captain of our side.
At blind side, whilst Serge Betsen was considered, England World Cup winning duo Neil Back and Richard Hill battled it out. Back would obviously be out of position but with McCaw already at 7 it felt Back was still impossible to ignore. The personification of ‘never give in’ Back is one of rugby’s great success stories. Success both internationally and domestically as well as ruck time skills comparable to McCaw made him appealing but Hill just got the nod. Powerful and destructive defensively(there was no better goal line defender in the game) but the complete opposite with ball in hand Hill gives the side that little bit more going forward in terms of offloads and support running. His never say die attitude would be highly valued in any dressing room.
The third of the England World Cup back row Lawrence Dallaglio is our NO.8. Sergio Parisse of Italy was his nearest rival, a fine player but with nothing like Dallaglio in terms of honours. Dallaglio proved time and again that in the biggest games he could be the difference. The 2003 World Cup final against France he pounded the fringes to get Wilkinson on the front foot to dominate the game. Parisse has obviously not been afforded such opportunities internationally but at club level he is arguably part of the worst offending underachievers in Europe, bags of talent for little return, and where Parisse has not been able to make the difference even in a good side. It made me question whether he really has that elite level in him. Perhaps Stade and Sergio will shine in the new decade but in the past Dallaglio more than took his opportunities. Undermined at times by his own big mouth and silly transgressions off the field, on it Dallaglio was a leader vocally and in his actions. If something was going wrong he would take responsibility with a thumping run or man handling a maul. A try scoring machine in the Six Nations there has not yet been anyone to come close the England 8 carrying from the base of the scrum (although Pierre Spies may well be that man in the coming decade). A prominent gambling firm even ran spread bets titled ‘Larry’s Carry’s’ such was Dallaglio’s ball carrying proficiency. Old fashioned powerful No.8 play is still the bed rock of the game; it enables the backs to play on the front foot and opens up the game. If there were Dallaglio’s in the modern game we certainly would have a more open style of rugby, his explosiveness harnessed to his raw power and positional nous have remained the bench mark for good number eight play.

9. Scrum Half

George Gregan’s Test cap milestone of 139 set in this decade is a truly remarkable feat. Two Super rugby titles and a World Cup final appearance as captain strengthened his claim to be in this team. But neither his performances nor successes matched up to his achievements in the 90’s. Australia were a poor third in the southern hemisphere for most of the decade particularly toward the end of Gregan’s career and his subsequent failure in Europe in Toulon suggest that this was a decade we saw then end of a player who was once great, but not enough in this decade to warrant selection. Matt Dawson and Fourie du Preez got World Cup medals but neither were quite impressive enough to make this side. The 9 jersey goes to former All Black Justin Marshall. People may now think of Marshall as something of a “has boots will travel” but his honours, recognition and longevity make him the scrum half of the noughties. Voted into the 2003 RWC team of the tournament (ahead of Dawson and Gregan who made the final) Marshall had an extraordinary decade. Spikey, creative and amazingly committed in defence Marshall wrapped up domestic titles in both hemispheres. He was also part of the All Black team between World Cups, and particularly during the ’05 Lions series whitewash, that were by far the best in the world. And Marshall has proved he wasn’t just carried by a good side, he made the players player of the year shortlist in his first season in England, even though his side Leeds went on to be relegated. Still leading by example in Saracens remarkable early season form in the Premiership, Marshall is one of the best examples of consistent top level performance throughout the decade.

10. Fly Half

Ronan O’Gara’s feats for Munster in particular over the decade must be admired but in reality this was a 2 horse race. Daniel Carter, the All Black star, IRB International Player of the year for 2005 and his predecessor in 2003 England’s two time World Cup finalist Johnny Wilkinson. Probably the hardest selection in the side there was little to pick between them. Both technically have all the skills; with Carter outshine Wilkinson running the ball and vice versa on defence. Two of the best goal kickers of all time and superb out of hand the side would lose or nothing from one being selected above the other. I finally went for Wilkinson on the basis that in those clutch moments he had got his team through. On the biggest occasions Johnny has been able almost through force of will to drag the England side through. Successive World Cup semi-finals read like master classes of big game management and that extra time drop goal showed the nerve of a true champion. Sometimes there are some skills that just cannot be measured; there are just simply some people in this world that are winners. Johnny Wilkinson is one of those.

12. Inside Centre


Tana Umaga. In the era of the huge battering ram centre the original and best was never surpassed. The first man of Pacific Island origin to captain the All Blacks Umaga was not only a terrorizor of defences but an icon. More subtle than a lot of big centres since Umaga could step off both feet and broke tackles for fun with a brutal hand off, as his 36 Test match tries bear testament to. Equally intimidating defensively he was also a true sportsman, and was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin award for outstanding sportsmanship, after stopping play to check on the welfare of an unconscious Colin Charvis in 2003 Test vs. Wales (although Brian O’Driscoll may dispute his sportsmanship). Will Greenwood, for his imaginative, see it play it style of back play so missed in the modern game deserves mention.

13. Outside Centre

If Fly half was the hardest decision, this was the easiest. No on defined the 2000’s in rugby terms more than Brian O’Driscoll. From his scintillating try for the Lions in Brisbane 2001 right through to his 4 tries in 5 games and subsequent player of the tournament accolades in the 2009 Irish Grand Slam O’Driscoll stood out throughout the decade. A first ever Heineken Cup winners medal with his beloved Leinster and another outstanding tour as Lions vice captain in South Africa proved the post World Cup doubters wrong and returned to world eating form. Like an extra back row forward defensively and throughout the decade with pace and imagination to tear apart the most stubborn defences O’Driscoll is a mantra to how rugby should be played; with passion but clam, valiant defence and even more fearless attacking. Years from now we are all going to be privileged enough to say that yes we saw one of the greats, and yes he was that good.

Wing

Shane Williams sparkled in Wales Grand Slams and their valiant ’03 World Cup showings against New Zealand and England. It will be for the good of the game if he can recapture the form that punctuated the middle of the decade, but I’ve gone for 2 southern hemisphere wingers. New Zealand’s Joe Rokocoko and South Africa’s Bryan Habana. Both are obviously blindingly quick, but there have been plenty of fast men who haven’t wracked up the same number of Test tries (81 between them in 117 Tests). Both are deceptively strong, read the game well and have fantastic feet and awareness to finish moves off. Habana’s threat on intercepts has changed the way teams think about defending with the outside fast rush style he has adopted. Rokocoko’s spins and turns brought a new way of avoiding tackles and creating space. Fans love finishers and we have 2 of the all time best strike rates in the game.

15. Full Back

Chris Latham would get an honourable mention, his lines of running and counter-attacking skills from the 15 position have sadly not been bestowed on many of our full backs right now. It is 2003 RWC adversary though Jason Robinson who gets the final spot in the mythical dressing room. An icon as the first black England Rugby Union captain he was the stand out success story in the decade of rugby league converts. Where others failed, Robinson’s explosive acceleration and dancing feet meant he beat more tacklers than any other back in the early period of the decade. His kicking and positional play came on vastly throughout his career, but it was his running that brought crowds to their feet every time he touched the ball. The game so desperately needs these x-factor players if it is to capitalize on the huge progress in interest it has managed to generate in this decade. It is for this reason that Jason Robinson is The XV’s Full Back, a reminder of what the game must rediscover if it is to continue successfully in the next 10 years and beyond.

1.Martin Castrogiovanni
2.Mario Ledesma
3.Carl Hayman
4.Victor Matfield
5.Martin Johnson
6.Richard Hill
7.Richie McCaw (C)
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
9.Justin Marshall
10.Johnny Wilkinson
11.Joe Rokocoko
12.Tana Umaga
13.Brian O'Driscoll
14.Bryan Habana
15.Jason Robinson

Class of '09 running out of time to reach the summit

Assistant Coach Jim Telfer famously told the 1997 Lions that they had an opportunity, in rugby terms, "to go for Everest". An opportunity that only Lions Tour's afford. In the aftermath of defeat in Durban last weekend both captain Paul O'Connell and brace bagging blind side Tom Croft felt that the clock, and not the World Champions, had ultimately beaten the Lions. If this is the case then the squad are staring down the ticking foe with even greater anxiety in their quest to reach the aforementioned Everest. 80 minutes to save the series, to remain on the mountain for one more week.

So many questions need answering in the cauldron of Loftus today, where both oxygen and local sympathy will be at a premium. Can the Lions get any kind of platform at the set piece to allow their more incisive back division to dictate the direction of the game? Can the tourists repeat the intensity and accuracy of their showing in the last 20 minutes of the 1st Test match for the full 80? Were the World Champions exhausted or just too complacent in the last quarter? What is clear is that the Lions need to be as close to perfect as possible, or next week at Ellis Park they will be the sideshow entertainment for a Springbok carnival.

The scrum, a disaster zone in the first Test as we know for the Lions has been beefed up and makes a lot more sense. Rob Howley pre-tour had spoken a lot of the need for mobility and moving the big South African pack around, but as we suggested here at The XV, that's all very well but you do need to secure your own ball and slow the oppositions down and for that you need that pace blended with physicality. As was suggested by myself and columnist Jack Travers the Lions did not add enough of the physicality. I still worry today whether the selection of Adam Jones at tight-head is the right call. I personally would have preferred to have seen Sheridan go loose and the versatile Jenkins come across to the tight to start. The start of the game and momentum are going to be so important that I feel the Lions cannot allow any opportunity for things to go as wrong as they did last week early on. To this ends Sheridan, who admittedly has looked a liability in the loose on this Tour, is needed to set the tone early on at scrum time and then replace him with the more dynamic Jones once they have garnered some control.

Shaw looks a strong selection in beefing up the lock position and giving the Lions another on field totem of leadership. One must feel desperately for Hines however, skilful and hugely physical his a big loss, to sadly yet another poor officiating decision. If that is a dangerous tackle we may as well all pack up now and take up billiards Because the game of rugby is a lost cause. In the backs Fitzgerald has looked lively all tour and the Lions must look to bring him and Bowe of their wings to expose the lack of pace in the Springbok midfield. The understanding the Ireland back 3 all have will also be significant in an arena where kicking will be hugely influential. On this note Stephen Jones must take his chances, both out of hand and off the tee. This blog has already argued about the importance of clutch kicking and it is an undoubted chink in Jones' armour.

On the South African side, I would like to see them be more creative with their wing talent. Whilst the axis of Jones, Roberts, and O'Driscoll is defensively daunting their one weakness, would be out and out speed, particularly laterally. Instead of trying to reverse kick or chip being to get Pieterson and Habana on the ball I would like to see Pienaar bring the of the wing and up the 9,10 channel, or use De Villiers as a dummy runner up that channel and play the wingers in behind him to test the centres movement. Berger's extra physicality and nous should help tame Roberts if the Berger of '07, the IRB world player of the year turns up, and not the look-alike act that has masqueraded as one of the World's premier back row forwards for the Stormers all year.

So many questions of which 80 minutes will give us the answers. Perhaps the overriding one will be is this Lions team a good one or great one? We're about to find out.

Lions Begin to Hunt in Packs

Jack Travers

1997. The Lions, against the odds, recorded their first Test series win in South Africa since the 1974 ‘Invincibles’. That ’97 tour has many parallels to the current one. Both visiting sides were massive underdogs playing against the world champions. Both tours had the legendary Ian McGeechan as coach and both tours have utilised the size and physical example of a lock as their skipper. However, there are many more subtle similarities that give the 2009 vintage a fair chance of emulating their predecessors or at least standing toe to toe with their formidable foe.
The first of these lies in the team morale that McGeechan sees as so important to any Lions touring party. As anyone who has watched ‘Living with Lions’ can testify (anybody who hasn’t seen this classic behind the scenes documentary should move quickly to adjust this as it highlights everything that is great about rugby and shows Jason Leonard’s unforgettable team talks!), team spirit is as instrumental a factor in a winning Lions tour as anything. It is a difficult thing to come by as the players come from four different nations and as a result often don’t know each other well. But if a certain camaraderie is cultivated, the Lions are capable of creating a formula where each player will do anything on and off the pitch for their new pals. More often than not, this results in victory on the rugby field. The personnel of the two touring parties have both a number of similarities and disparities that could help the current batch of Lions become as or even more successful than the 1997 squad. The first position that springs to mind as having been a thorn in the South African side 12 years ago, and that has the potential to have the same impact this time around is inside-centre. Jamie Roberts is arguably the player of the tour thus far. His performances have echoed what Scott Gibbs did so effectively the last time the Lions were in South Africa. The direct running lines that Roberts has used so emphatically and his ability to draw defenders, allows colleagues such as Brian O’Driscoll to take advantage of the gaps created. This partnership will be crucial if the Lions are to match the World Champions. If it works as well as it has in the two games where it has been exhibited so far, against the Golden Lions and Natal Sharks, then these two players at opposite ends of their careers will take some stopping.

The issue of full-back was a contentious one in 1997 when it was decided that Neil Jenkins would play despite being dodgy at best under the high ball. This decision was vindicated by Jenkins’ metronomic goal-kicking. However, this is one position where the Lions are spoilt for choice at the moment. Lee Byrne looks likely to take the starting jersey but Rob Kearney is as adequate a replacement as any on the tour. Both players’ confidence under the high ball will be crucial, especially in the latter test matches where the Springboks will be sure to test their nerve with hanging balls on the high altitude of the highveld.

Many believe that the series will be decided at the breakdown as it was in 1997. With such a physical pack, the Boks look hard to beat in this area but the Lions are progressing with every match in this battleground. With Shalke Burger set to miss the opener through injury, the tourists have been given a boost. Croft, Wallace and Heaslip will be confident of first making the test side and then matching their illustrious opponents, utilising their mobility as much as possible. These are the three in possession of the back row positions at the moment although Martyn Williams will look to put his experience to good use to stake a claim for the seven jersey. His canny operating technique could give him the edge although he will have to perform in tonight’s fixture against the Western Province after missing the last three games through injury. Losing Stephen Ferris is a big blow as his physicality and aggression would have been useful, especially against Pierre Spies. Joe Worsley seems to be on the fringes at the moment although his versatility is welcomed by McGeechan and his coaching staff and could prove to be an asset off the bench.

Most members of the tight five seem to be putting their hands forward for selection and this could prove to be the most difficult area of selection for McGeechan. Andrew Sheridan has done himself no harm with some impressive scrummaging performances and Gethin Jenkins’ allround game and adaptability is lauded by all, despite the opinion of referee, Jonathan Kaplan. Their pure size could be especially helpful against the brutality that is sure to be a feature of the front row battle. This might be especially prevalent as the diminutive Lee Mears looks to have put forth a strong case for selection with his excellent performance against the Natal Sharks on Wednesday where his lineout throwing was as reliable as ever. However, the rest of the front-row squad members, particularly Phil Vickery and Euan Murray, are all knocking on the door and a strong performance from them against Western Province and Southern Kings could put pressure on the men seemingly in possession.

The second-row seems solid with O’Connell likely to lead the team and to be partnered by Alun-Wyn Jones. These two worked especially well together in the line-out against the Sharks. However, the skilful and experienced Simon Shaw will be desperate to get a Test cap whilst Nathan Hines has another opportunity to impress in tomorrows game against Western Province after his commanding effort in the rout of the Golden Lions last week.
The one big surprise that could shock everyone could be that Ugo Monye might start at left-wing. With another big performance, Monye can overtake other more likely alternatives. Shane Williams, despite many opportunities looks to have been found out by defenders. Luke Fitzgerald looks sharp but the selectors might want a bit more physicality which Monye offers in spades.

But, if anything is certain, it is that Lions teams are never set in stone. Different players will be required for different scenarios. Add to this the constant threat of injuries and all is still to play for before the first Test next Saturday.
Whatever team lines up against the Springboks in Durban are sure to be ready to fight for their new mates as the Lions’ legendary team ethos looks to be a major weapon for McGeechan and his men.

However, if the indomitable Matfield, Spies, Smit and co are to be defeated, the Lions will have to fight in prides, hit every ruck like they are fighting for survival and never let the Boks hit open space as they are pretty handy in the backline too….

Trav’s Likely Test 22 for the First Test, 20th June 2009, Durban:

Andrew Sheridan
Lee Mears
Gethin Jenkins
Alun-Wyn Jones
Paul O’Connell
Tom Croft
Martyn Williams
Jamie Heaslip
Mike Phillips
Stephen Jones
Ugo Monye
Jamie Roberts
Brian O’Driscoll
Tommy Bowe
Lee Bryne