Fantasy Head-to-Head: Northern Hemisphere XV vs. Southern Hemisphere XV

South Africa and France emerged as the early pace-setters, while New Zealand, Scotland and England also enjoyed impressive campaigns. With the Southern Series now complete, RUCK writers Tom Sansom and Charlie Elliott have gone head-to-head to select their respective teams of the tournament so far.

Charlie has chosen his best Northern Hemisphere XV, while Tom has assembled his standout Southern Hemisphere side. From the front row to the back three, the debate is sure to be fierce – but which team would come out on top?

NORTH: Jalibert adapted seamlessly to fullback, continuing to control games for France from deeper positions while maintaining his attacking influence.

Attissogbe impressed throughout, starring against Australia with a try, over 100 metres gained and relentless attacking threat. Feyi-Waboso finished his Nations Championship strongly, tormenting Argentina with powerful carries, key line breaks, a try and outstanding defensive contributions.

SOUTH: The back-three begins with the stand-out performer from Eddie Jones' side, as Japan full-back Takuro Matsunaga had an incredibly impressive Nations Championship campaign. With 32 points overall, Matsunaga finished second in the total points table, and was the heart-beat of the Brave Blossoms over the past three weeks.

Selestino Ravautamada then enters the fray as the sole contribution from thje Flying Fijians, with the explosive wing scoring some breathtaking tries against Wales and Scotland, as well as impressing on the defensive foot. Then none other than the All Blacks' new record try scorer Will Jordan slots in on the opposite touchline, following a match winner against France, a hat-trick against Italy and game-breaking efforts against Ireland.

NORTH: Brau-Boirie and Moefana formed an outstanding midfield partnership, starting all three matches together. They combined defensive resilience with attacking quality, complementing each other's strengths throughout the series.

Despite France's wealth of midfield options, the pair looked perfectly balanced and have strengthened their case as Fabien Galthie's preferred centre combination.

SOUTH: Whilst Rassie Erasmus kept true to his word, and trialed an assortment of South African hopefuls for the Nations Championship, Jesse Kriel was one man that kept his spot in an otherwise alternating back-line. Kriel held down the 13 jersey like the number had been tattooed upon his back, with the 32-year-old also consistently getting his name on the score-sheet to boot. Kriel crossed over in all three tests, with England, Scotland and Wales all feeling the brunt of the Canon Eagles powerhouse.

Jordie Barrett takes his rightful place in the midfield pairing, as Barrett once again demonstrated the breadth of his game, contributing everywhere for the All Blacks throughout the past three weeks. His clearances were excellent, his aerial work reliable and his rush defence a constant weapon to be unleashed by the midfield general.

NORTH: Fin Smith emerged as England's standout playmaker, impressing against South Africa before guiding victories over Fiji and Argentina. His partnership with Freeman flourished, consistently creating attacking opportunities.

Lucu controlled France's tempo superbly, linking effectively with Romain Ntamack and Jalibert to orchestrate three composed, high quality performances from scrum-half.

SOUTH: The All Blacks’ latest breakout star Ruben Love emerged as Dave Rennie’s preferred fly-half during the last three weeks. Previously used only sporadically at full-back for New Zealand, the 25-year-old was trusted to take control of the attack after Rennie made it clear that current Super Rugby form would heavily influence his selections. Love had already played a starring role in the Hurricanes’ latest title-winning efforts, and he carried that momentum seamlessly into the international arena.

However, his place is far from secure, with Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and a returning Richie Mo’unga all competing for the All Blacks’ No.10 jersey. To remain in possession of it, Love will need to sustain this remarkable run of form. Cam Roigard joins him for an all-Kiwi halfback pairing, with the number nine being a top performer of the entire Nations Championship. Roigard took top spot upon our Power Rankings for Round One, and established a firm grip upon the freighting All Blacks attack.

NORTH: Schoeman and Hiddleston brought power and energy to Scotland's front row, with Schoeman particularly influential against Fiji and Hiddleston impressing against South Africa.

Heyes continued his consistent rise for England, standing up well against the Springboks before dominating Fiji and Argentina, especially with his excellent scrummaging and work rate.

SOUTH: Moving onto the forward pack, and Angus Bell takes the loose-head mantle for a multitude of reasons. One being how the Springboks rotated their loose-head ranks, whilst Bell started all three weeks - and another being how solid the former Ulster front rower was in Joe Schmidt's pack. Bell was arguably the most reliable number one from across the Southern Hemisphere nations, with his first round pack down against Ireland veteran Tadhg Furlong making for enjoyable viewing.

Two Springboks rather unsurprisingly take the spots at hooker and tight-head, with the revered green and gold front row once again flexing their muscles throughout the past three weeks. World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx started against England and Wales, whilst new coming tight-head Zach Porthern enjoyed two impressive replacement displays in the victories over England and Scotland - the latter seeing the Stormers star bag a try for his efforts.

NORTH: Cummings delivered a tireless display against South Africa, contributing at the breakdown, lineout and in open play while helping earn a crucial yellow card, showcasing just how much he belongs at the top-level.

McCarthy responded with a standout performance against New Zealand, scoring after half time and making a huge impact despite several confrontations. Both locks excelled throughout the series, but had standout performances against Southern Hemisphere giants.

SOUTH: Australia endured a tough Nations Championship campaign, but Josh Canham emerged as one of the clearest positives for the Wallabies. The Queensland Reds lock was a genuine standout, finishing with four tries — more than any other forward in the tournament and second only to Will Jordan overall. Meanwhile, Pieter-Steph du Toit returned to the sort of form that previously saw him crowned World Rugby Player of the Year on two occasions.

Du Toit's Nations Championship campaign began with a late promotion to captain and a shift from flanker to lock, as Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth both withdrew through injury for the opening match against England. Du Toit responded by taking on the captaincy and seamlessly adapting to another change in responsibility. The result was a remarkable campaign from one of the most versatile forwards in world rugby. .

NORTH: Nouchi produced an outstanding all round tournament, starring against Australia with relentless carrying, strong defence and impressive attacking output before backing it up against Japan.

Morgan again led Wales through immense work rate and tackling despite limited support. Earl remained England's leading ball carrier, adding breakdown influence and defensive intensity throughout.

SOUTH: Whilst Jesse Kriel was the ever-present iron-man in the Springboks back-line, Paul de Villiers held a similar mantle within the ever-changing forward pack. After his newly promoted captain Pieter-Steph du Toit moved to lock, de Villiers was a late change to the team to face England as Siya Kolisi withdrew - however the short notice of his call-up did not phase the Stormers man, as de Villiers delivered grounded, measured and gutsy performances to stake his claim upon the green and gold six shirt.

Whilst Ardie Savea did in fact feature at number eight for New Zealand, the newly minted permanent All Blacks captain is shifted into his Kobe Steelers role at seven for my South XV. Savea was at his destructive best for New Zealand, as he carried his men forward with that unmistakeable aura which has made the All Blacks so feared throughout the years. However, there was no over looking Argentina number eight Joaquin Oviedo, who topped the meters carried charts for Los Pumas along with other relentless stats across both sides of the ball. The man was on a mission, with Wales feeling the full wrath in the second round clash.