The hosts of the Good, Bad and the Rugby podcast have selected their 2023 Six Nations team of the tournament. There is a strong focus on the word’s number one and two ranked teams, with the selected XV populated with almost entirely Irish and French players.
Former England internationals James Haskell and Mike Tindall did not select any of their fellow countrymen, as England only won two out of five matches in a rather disappointing campaign. There are also no Welsh players in the starting XV, as Warren Gatland’s side had a difficult tournament, in the midst of the WRU’s contract negotiation saga.
Outside of the France and Ireland stars that create a stellar line-up, there are also two inclusions for Italian players. London Irish’s Loosehead prop Danilo Fischetti and bruising flanker Sebastian Negri are called up for the ‘Dream XV’.
England lock Ollie Chessum is among the ‘notable contenders’ list, and is the sole member of Steve Borthwick’s squad to get the nod. Four Scotland stars are also among the contenders, as Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe and George Turner bulk up the replacements.
Two more of Andy Farrell’s Grand Slam winning side make the bench, with fullback Hugo Keenan and winger James Lowe adding to the side. Lorenzo Cannone adds another Azzurri member to the squad, as Alex Payne led the fantasy draft between the two ex-England forwards.