This Rugby World Cup ‘Rejected XV’ would beat most teams on the planet
Rugby NewsWednesday, 11 September 2019 at 10:54
The Rugby World Cup will showcase the best talent the globe has to offer but an incredible bunch of talented players have not been selected.
With that in mind, RUCK.co.uk has compiled the best of the World Cup-rejects that could make a deep run in Japan if pulled together to create a ‘World XV’ for the showpiece event.
15. Alex Goode (England): The European player of the year is possibly the most unlucky out of everyone, but has never been liked by Eddie Jones, earning his last cap in 2016 despite his consistency for Saracens.
14. Teddy Thomas (France): Despite being one of the best finishers in world rugby, Thomas seems very much out of favour with France at the moment despite scoring 10 tries in his 15 caps.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland): A quality performer, Jones has scored 10 tries in 23 Tests and will rightfully be kicking stones. Taking his place in Gregor Townsend’s World Cup squad are midfielders Peter Horne, Duncan Taylor, Chris Harris and Sam Johnson.
12. Ben Te'o (England): The centre was the high-profile omission from England’s 31-man squad for Japan after a second breach of discipline in recent months.
11. Santiago Cordero (Argentina): The pacy Puma was one of the stars of the last World Cup but seems to have hurt his selection chances by moving overseas to play in the Gallagher Premiership.
10. Danny Cipriani (England): The form flyhalf of the Premiership in recent years, Gloucester’s playmaker wasn’t picked given his various off-field indiscretions and reputation as a flighty type.
9. Danny Care (England): The 84-Test scrumhalf fell out of favour with Jones and was discarded for former Crusaders backup Willi Heinz, who qualifies for England through his grandmother.
1.Rob Evans (Wales): Warren Gatland’s decision to leave Evans out of his squad was one that raised a few eyebrows among the Welsh faithful. Both he and tighthead prop Samson Lee have more test experience than that of Rhys Carré, Whyn Jones and Dillon Lewis combined, but neither will board the plane from Cardiff to Tokyo
2. Dylan Hartley (England): The abrasive Kiwi-born hooker was Eddie Jones’ choice as captain throughout the majority of the pre-World Cup cycle but paid the price for a bad run of injuries.
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand): The biggest surprise of the All Blacks’ World Cup squad announcement was Steve Hansen’s decision to leave out 108-test, two-time World Cup-winning prop Owen Franks.
4. Richie Gray (Scotland): Despite regaining his fitness, didn't want to go to Japan unless he was a key part of Gregor Townsend's plans.
5. Devin Toner (Ireland): Regardless of the reasoning for his omission, it’s disappointing nonetheless for Toner, who had previously been an integral part of the Irish forward pack, but missed out as a result of Jean Kleyn’s ability to cover the back row.
6. Chris Robshaw (England): Lewis Ludlam’s selection ahead of the 66-cap veteran may surprise some. At 33 years of age, this will surely spell the end of the former captain’s international career.
7. Jordi Murphy (Ireland)
8. Facundo Isa (Argentina): The powerhouse Toulon ball carrier was a shock non-selection as coach Mario Ledesma favoured Argentina-based players. The Pumas are blessed with quality loose forwards but this was a strange call.
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