By Darraghgirl
July 29 2015

  So here we go with Round 2 – Aviva Premiership team of the Season. I suppose when you support the Premiership Champions, it isn’t surprising when a high percentage of the team are Men in Black! But that really was the case this time.  

Starting with the back 3, there was virtually no competition at full back or right wing with only Anthony Watson and our own Chris Wyles getting a look-in. On the left wing you were absolutely unanimous – and how very sad that your choice will be no more – for us at least!

In the centres there was a bit more dissent. Outside Centre was one of the few positions where you didn’t choose a Sarrie (although there was a bit of support for Wyles, Taylor and Brits. Brits???? Well someone felt Brits could play in all the forward positions (except No 8) plus the centres. He may well be right!) Manu Tuilagi (someone has a sense of humour) & Henry Slade also attracted votes. At inside centre only Henry Slade (& Brits – enough said) challenged your overwhelming choice.

At fly half only George Ford offered any competition but at scrum half there was much more choice with Joe Simpson, Danny Care, Will Chudley, Peter Stringer & Ben Youngs all attracting support.

Turning to the forwards, I shan’t mention the Brits fan again which meant that your choice of Loosehead was unanimous. There was far more competition at Tighthead and this was another position which didn’t go to a Saracen although Petrus Du Plessis put up a good show and Alex Corbisiero was also nominated. Hooker was also fairly cut and dried, the only alternatives offered being Dylan Hartley & Tom Youngs (really?)

And so to the locks where it gets a bit complicated because people got nominated in more than one position so for simplicity's sake, I’ve amalgamated the results. In addition to our 2 winners, there were a number of votes each for Maro Itoje, Samu Manoa, Dean Munn, Joe Launchberry and Jim Hamilton.

And so to the back row, and again a bit complicated because of people getting nominated in more than one position (and to be honest, Billy probably won them all as he was in everyone’s 15 somewhere). However, here we go: unsuccessful nominations at Blindside Flanker included our own Jackson Wray, Dave Ewers, the versatile Samu Manoa and Jacques Burger. At Openside, we had nominations for Wray again along with Francois Louw, Chris Robshaw & Nathan Hughes. But at No 8 there really wasn’t any doubt although again Hughes & Manoa got an honourable mention.

So here we have, duly counted and ratified once again by the long-suffering dog (who really only wants me to take him for a walk) your Aviva Premiership Team of the 2014-15 season:-

15. Alex Goode

14. Chris Ashton

13. Jonathan Joseph

12. Brad Barritt

11. David Strettle

10. Owen Farrell

9.   Richard Wigglesworth

1.   Mako Vunipola

2.   Jamie George

3.   Dan Cole

4.   Courtney Lawes

5.   George Kruis

6. Maro Itoje

7. Jacques Burger

8. Billy Vunipola

Not a bad squad that one! How you feeling New Zealand???