You probably won’t agree with all the selections we have made in our World XV based on form shown in 2018.

IT’ S THE END OF THE SEASON SO IT MUST BE TIME TO PICK OUR WORLD X V FOR 2018 .

1. Karl Tu’inukuafe – New Zealand

Frankly it is ridiculous that a player can go from unheard of without a contract into a World XV. But big Karl deserves his spot as he pretty much had the better of everyone he met in the scrum and started to deliver a bit more around the eld the more he played.

2. Malcolm Marx – South Africa

Marx had another impressive year, showing incredible strength, timing and awareness to pilfer as much turnover ball as he did. He was again a destructive ball carrier for the Boks and such a huge presence for them. Won his selection ahead of Codie Taylor and Agustin Creevy.

3. Tadgh Furlong – Ireland

Hard to spell, harder to pronounce and even harder to play against – that’s Tadgh Furlong. He’s a big bruiser, strong in the scrum yet mobile when he carries and tacklers have trouble putting him down. Takes his place ahead of Owen Franks.

4. Brodie Retallick – New Zealand

Brodie Retallick missed much of the test season and yet he still easily makes this team. That’s because when he was t, he was outstanding. He had enormous tests against the Wallabies and then was sensational against England. The man is just so strong, powerful and skilled – making deft passes, winning lineout ball and stealing turnovers. He can do it all and the All Blacks missed him a lot when he was injured.

5: James Ryan - Ireland

Ireland have found a rugged, mobile ball carrying lock in James Ryan. Only 22, he announced his arrival in the Six Nations with some physical performances where his willingness to scrap for every centimetre was noted.

6: Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa

Found his feet in the back-row this year and also his defensive punch. Made some huge tackles, was always on hand to carry the ball and gave the Boks a talisman gure around whom they could rally. Looked more mobile and agile as well and that’s why he’s picked ahead of Peter Mahoney of Ireland and John Barclay of Scotland.

7: Ardie Savea – New Zealand

This was the year that Ardie came of age and cracked the big time. He had an incredible impact in the second half of the season, winning so many critical turnovers, impressing with his leg drive into contact and his crunching defence. Played with a physicality that bordered on being intimidating.

8: Kieran Read – New Zealand

The old man has still got it. He was solid rather than spectacular this year but he was always involved. He hit the ball up at close range, made his usual quota of heavy tackles and was quite superb in the lineout. His captaincy became a real weapon too – astute, rm and telling.

9: Faf de Klerk – South Africa

He’s a tiny man, but he had a huge impact this year. Faf de Klerk was brilliant against England in June and then again against the All Blacks. He knows how to hassle his opposite man but more importantly, he knows how to get South Africa’s game going. They owed this year and looked dangerous for long periods and much of that was down to the tactical directorship of de Klerk. Conor Murray would have challenged for the selection but for injury.

10: Beauden Barrett – New Zealand

This guy just never lets his standards drop. Produced one of the best No 10 displays in history against the Wallabies in August and then showed the depth of his character and breadth of his skills range when he kicked the All Blacks to victory at Twickenham.

Edges out Johnny Sexton and Nicolas Sanchez.

11: Rieko Ioane – New Zealand

There was only ever going to be one choice for this role. Rieko Ioane had another remarkable year where he kept scoring tries and embarrassed defenders. What he showed in 2018 is that he really knows how to make the most out of not much. Stunning footwork and strength to nd ways to go forward and make his presence count.

12: Owen Farrell – England

Of course Owen Farrell came close to being picked in this team at No 10, but why choose between him and Barrett when you can have both. Farrell is just as comfortable at 12 as he is at 10 and with his destructive tackling, immaculate goal-kicking and solid decision-making, he’s got slightly more to o er than Damian de Allende.

13: Huw Jones – Scotland

Scotland had a much better Six Nations and a lot of that was down to Huw Jones. He gave them an edge in the mid field where he was capable of nding holes either through sheer power but sometimes because of his pace and subtlety. A classy distributor and strong finisher, he’s one of the hardest mid fielders in the world to contain.

14: Ben Smith – New Zealand

Ben Smith does so many good things on the eld that it’s too hard to leave him out. He had some big games in 2018 where he made plenty happen as a result of his footwork, vision and anticipation. His all round skills remain incredible and his strength is that he can play any style of rugby that he’s asked. Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale and Israel Folau were the others in consideration.

15: Elliot Daly – England

We liked this guy when he came to New Zealand with the Lions and continue to be impressed with how he plays. He’s like Ben Smith in that he’s a total footballer and can easily play across the backline. Comes with the added bonus of being a long range goal-kicker.