This Weekend’s Rugby World Cup Dream XV

After an one of the most amazing opening weekends of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it’s time to pick the best fifteen from the eight matches played so far.

1. Jack McGrath – Ireland

Super performance against a physical Canadian team. Healy will need to prove his back to his best and at full fitness to take the jersey back.

2. Tom Youngs – England

He enjoyed a solid lineout display and scored the first try. Agile around the pitch, will cause problems for any team.

3. Rabah Slimani – France

Slimani proved once again he is one of the best tighthead props in the world and it showed as he dominated the scrum all night.

4. Iain Henderson – Ireland

This LAD just keeps on getting better and better. A tackling machine. Super performance. Gets the nod to start the crucial games alongside POC we reckon.

5. Brodie Retallick – New Zealand

The 2014 World Player of the Year is one of the most feared locks in world rugby. His work rate, lineout operation and physicality against Argentina proved once again why he holds that status.

6. Mamuka Gorgodze – Georgia

Towering performance. The Toulon man embodies the physicality and brute force that the Georgians are so well known for. Led his team to a memorable victory.

7. Justin Tipuric – Wales

Super performance from Tipuric. Stood out in what was an underwhelming performance by the Welsh. Probably the most on form 7 from the home nations. Deserves a starting spot.

8. Louis Picamoles – France

Outstanding performance from the French powerhouse. Bossed the game, led by example. Looks like this could be his best World Cup yet.

9. Fumiaka Tanaka – Japan

Highlander’s scrumhalf Tanaka was one of the highlights of the weekend. The smallest player in the world cup ripped the 2007 champions apart in a famous victory. Hands down deserves to be in this team.

Physical in the tackle, gave Ireland field position with probing kicks to touch, got his passing picture perfect and picked up the man of the match award on the way. Magnificent performance topped off with a superb try.

11. Nemani Nadolo – Fiji

The man mountain from Fiji carried his superb form in the Super 15 into the opening game of the World Cup. He scored one of the great tries of the tournament so far and caused plenty of problems for the hosts. Converted a penalty with such grace and leisure you could have sworn it was a 10 kicking it.

12. Juan Martin Hernandez – Argentina

Rolled back the years against New Zealand with some outrageous skill and relieving kicks. There were plenty of back door offloads to add to his highlight reel as he troubled an underperforming centre partnership of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

13. Jared Payne – Ireland

Difficult selection here. Underwhelming weekend for the 13 berth in our opinion. Payne gets the nod.

14. Dave Kearney – Ireland

Surprise inclusion for many. Proved the naysayers wrong with an excellent performance, taking his try very well.

15. Mike Brown – England

Probably the on from 15 in the world right now. Deadly on the counter attack, excellent in defence. England’s danger man for sure.