Ellis Genge included as 2022 World Dream Team is selected
Rugby NewsMonday, 14 November 2022 at 19:02
Wales Online have selected what a World XV would look like based on the Autumn Nations Series so far.
Including England prop Ellis Genge in their selection, Simon Thomas wrote: "France’s Cyril Baille is always a strong contender for this position and that’s the case once again following his try-scoring shift against the Springboks, but Genge just edges it for me.
"He too was on the scoresheet at the weekend surging over the Japanese line in typical fashion while his scrummaging has been strong and assertive so far during the campaign."
Somehow, England's Freddie Steward misses out as one of the more baffling omissions.
Thomas instead selected Italian hotshot Capuozzo at fullback, writing: "Steward has been outstanding for England, but Capuozzo just gets the nod after his dazzling double in the Azzurri’s historic victory over Australia.
"Welsh fans will be all too familiar with the diminutive 23-year-old as he was the defence-splitting architect of Italy’s match-winning try in Cardiff back in March."
Wales Online World XV:
#BACK-THREE
- 15. Ange Capuozzo (Italy)
- 14. Damian Penaud (France)
- 11. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
RUCK's Selection: 15. Freddie Steward (England), 14. Ange Capuozzo (Italy), Damian Penaud (France)
#CENTRES
- 13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- 12. Gael Fickou (France)
RUCK's Selection: 13. George North (Wales), 12. Owen Farrell (England)
#HALFBACKS
- 10. Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
- 9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
RUCK's Selection: 10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland), 9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
#FRONT-ROW
- 1. Ellis Genge (England)
- 2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
- 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
RUCK's Selection: 1. Ellis Genge (England), 2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
#SECOND-ROW
- 4. Cameron Woki (France)
- 5. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
RUCK's Selection: 4. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 5. Maro Itoje (England)
#BACK-ROW
- 6. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- 7.J osh van der Flier (Ireland)
- 8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
RUCK's Selection: 6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland), 7. Josh vane der Flier (Ireland), 8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
“Our leader” – Eddie Jones reveals the five ‘nailed-on’ players for his World Cup XV
#1. Ellis Genge
- Age: 27
- Club: Leicester Tigers
- Position: Prop
“Ellis will tell you that he is from the wrong side of the tracks and we’re quite happy for him to stay on the wrong side of them,” Jones said.
"Can he take a formal leadership role? There’s no reason why he can’t, whether that’s in the future, or now.”
Ellis Genge of England (digitally altered) during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Marcus Smith
- Age: 23
- Club: Harlequins
- Position: Fly-half
“There’s no ceiling to how good he can be,” said Jones. “If he keeps on wanting to get better, keeps having a learning mindset, he could be an absolutely outstanding player at Test level by the World Cup. And obviously that’s pretty important, to have a good 10.”
Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Maro Itoje
- Age: 27
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Second-row
"I've never seen a guy mature as much as he has in the last six months so it's been a really good period for him," Jones said.
"I'm going to contradict myself - and contradiction's a big part of life - but I've got no doubt in the future he will captain England. Whether that's in my time or someone else's time."
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#4. Tom Curry
- Age: 23
- Club: Sale Sharks
- Position: Flanker
Jones said: “One man who’s done remarkably well for England is Tom Curry. You look at the way his game has developed since he came into the team during the last Lions tour in 2017.
“He’s played at 6,7 and 8 for us and I can really see his game developing to another level. He came in as a very strong defensive player but I think he can really develop his attacking game in a similar way Richie McCaw did.”
“There is no limit to where his game can go.”
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Owen Farrell
- Age: 30
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Centre/Fly-half
"We're happy with the way he is going but like any part of our organisation he can improve," he said.
Jones added to BBC Sport: "He can improve in the way he speaks to the referee, he can improve in the way he leads the team. But we are all open to that sort of scrutiny."
Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
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