Get ready for a thrilling debate, rugby enthusiasts! The 2025 World XV selection by Mike Tindall and Bismarck du Plessis has just been unveiled, and it's causing quite a stir!
In a recent appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, these rugby legends revealed their dream team, and it's packed with surprises.
Let's dive into the backline first:
Backs:
- Fullback: Thomas Ramos takes the stage, edging out Will Jordan. Tindall credits Ramos' impressive silverware haul in 2025 as the deciding factor.
- Right Wing: Damian Penaud, the French flyer, is an easy pick for both pundits. His ability to create something out of nothing is legendary.
- Outside Center: Ollie Lawrence, the Bath star, gets the nod despite limited England appearances. Tindall believes he's a threat whenever he steps onto the pitch.
- Inside Center: Damian De Allende, the experienced Springbok, fills this role perfectly, complementing Lawrence's outside center position.
- Left Wing: Louis Bielle-Biarrey, a true try-scoring machine with 33 tries in 30 matches, is an obvious choice. Tindall calls him a 'freak' with 'out and out gas'.
- Flyhalf: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the South African fly-half with an incredible record, takes the spotlight. With nine tries and the most defenders beaten in the Rugby Championship, he's an undisputed starter.
- Scrumhalf: Jamison Gibson-Park sneaks in ahead of Antoine Dupont. Du Plessis praises Gibson-Park's influential performances with the British and Irish Lions.
But here's where it gets controversial... Tindall and Du Plessis have sparked a debate with their choices. Are they right to prioritize recent form over established stars? And what about the players they left out? Finn Russell and George Ford, for instance, were given honorable mentions, but no starting spots.
Forwards:
- Number 8: Ardie Savea, the former World Player of the Year, is an easy pick.
- Flanker: Tom Curry, a true giant on the field, proves his worth once again during the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
- Blindside Flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit, a two-time World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year, continues his dominance. Tindall warns, "People playing against them wouldn't be very happy."
- Lock: Tadhg Beirne, the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour Player of the Series, gets Du Plessis' nod over Maro Itoje.
- Lock: Maro Itoje, the British and Irish Lions and England captain, returns to his best form. Tindall notes a shift in his game, focusing more on the dirty work now.
- Tighthead Prop: Thomas du Toit, an incredible year for the versatile prop, sees him win the treble with Bath and achieve international success.
- Hooker: Malcolm Marx, the 2025 World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year, is an automatic starter.
- Loosehead Prop: Ox Nche, inspired by his famous "Salads don't win scrums" quote, is the duo's choice. His power in the scrum and work around the park make him the world's most effective loosehead prop.
And this is the part most people miss... The selection of six Springboks and three England players has sparked a discussion about national representation. Should the World XV be a true global team, or is it an opportunity to showcase the best of a particular nation's talent?
So, rugby fans, what do you think? Is this World XV a dream team or a controversial selection? Weigh in and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Are there any players you'd swap out, or do you agree with Tindall and Du Plessis' choices?
