Planet Rugby Readers’ Team of 2020

David Skippers
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Nearly 20,000 of you voted, we counted, and here it is – the Planet Rugby Readers’ Team of the Year.

A huge thank you for taking part and letting us know who you enjoyed watching this year. Bring on 2021.

Planet Rugby Readers’ Team of 2020

15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland and Exeter Chiefs): This was very close and Hogg eventually makes the XV with 38.8% of the vote with All Blacks and Blues full-back Beauden Barrett in second position on 38.1%. Although it was extremely tight, few will argue that the Scotsman does not deserve his place as he was in great form at Test level and also played a major part in Exeter Chiefs’ successful Champions Cup and Premiership campaigns. France’s Anthony Bouthier (14%) and Argentina’s Santiago Carreras (9.1%) also impressed.

14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa and Toulouse): For the second year in a row the diminutive Springbok flyer makes your line-up after earning the largest percentage for a position in the XV. Although the Boks weren’t in action in 2020, Kolbe turned on the style in the Top 14 and Champions Cup for Toulouse and he eventually finished with a massive 87.2% of the vote. All Blacks duo Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett were next best with 7.1% and 4.5% respectively while Wallaby rookie Tom Wright (1.2%) finished in fourth position.

13 Semi Radradra (Fiji and Bristol Bears): The code hopper has hit the ground running in the Premiership, since joining Bristol Bears from Top 14 outfit Bordeaux-Bègles, and justified the hype over his high profile move with several outstanding performances and he retains his spot in the side from last year. His attacking brilliance played a big part in helping Bristol to win their first European trophy courtesy of victory over Toulon in the Challenge Cup final. Radradra gained 52.2% of the votes, followed by France monster Virimi Vakatawa (26.6%), England’s Henry Slade (16.6%) and Australia’s Jordan Petaia (4.7%).

12 Gael Fickou (France and Stade Francais): This was another tightly contested duel but, in the end, Fickou emerged victorious with 33.3% of the vote while England captain Owen Farrell finished in second spot (32.3%). Fickou came to the fore with some brilliant attacking performances at Test level, with his explosive power and decision making amongst the standout features of his game. All Blacks centre Jack Goodhue also caught the eye but has to settle for third place with 22.8% of the vote while Ireland’s Bundee Aki (11.6%) finishes in fourth.

11 Jonny May (England and Gloucester): The Gloucester and England flyer gets the nod with 54.6% of the votes and his selection is just reward after finishing in second position in 2019 behind Wales flyer Josh Adams. May was always a menace on attack especially at Test level where he scored some outstanding tries in the Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup. The 30-year-old is followed by New Zealand’s Caleb Clarke (21.2%), Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland (14.4%) and Australia’s Marika Koroibete (9.8%).

10 Finn Russell (Scotland and Racing 92): Another close-run race at fly-half with Racing 92 and Scotland playmaker Russell eventually finishing in first position with 30.9% of the votes. He sees off the challenge of France and Toulouse pivot Romain Ntamack, who received 29.9%, while New Zealand and Crusaders star Richie Mo’unga was third on 23.5% and Exeter Chiefs’ Joe Simmonds finished fourth with 15.6%. But it’s Russell’s attacking brilliance, largely for his club, which left a good impression and saw him get the nod.

9 Antoine Dupont (France and Toulouse): Like his Toulouse team-mate, Kolbe, Dupont was a runaway winner with 77% of the vote after an outstanding year in which he was crowned Six Nations Player of the Year for being a vital cog in France’s machine. Dupont also played a leading role for Toulouse in their march to the Champions Cup’s semi-finals with his excellent playmaking abilities keeping defences on their toes throughout. The 24-year-old comes in ahead of Aaron Smith (13.8%) of New Zealand, South Africa’s Cobus Reinach (6.4%) and Australia’s Nic White (2.9%).

8 Sam Simmonds (England and Exeter Chiefs): The Exeter Chiefs stalwart might be out of favour with England head coach Eddie Jones but our readers rate him highly as he garnered 42.3% of the vote and beats out second-placed Ardie Savea of New Zealand (26.8%) while France’s Gregory Alldritt (24.6%) and another All Black, Hoskins Sotutu. (6.3%) were third and fourth respectively. Simmonds is a worthy winner as he made a huge contribution to Exeter’s 2019/20 Premiership and Champions Cup triumphs and continued with his rich vein of form in both tournaments when the new season started.

7 Sam Underhill (England and Bath): After several outstanding performances for England in the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup, the 24-year-old makes your team for the second year in a row. Once again, Underhill’s prowess at the breakdown and excellent physicality were the core reasons for his selection and, in the end, he made it comfortably with 50% of the vote. All Blacks skipper Sam Cane (20.2%) was a distant second followed by Wallabies captain Michael Hooper (17%) and Marcos Kremer (12.2%) of Argentina.

6 Tom Curry (England and Sale Sharks): The other half of England’s Kamikaze Kids, Curry makes the team for the first time after receiving 41.6% of the votes. Like Underhill, he was superb when playing for England and also impressed at club level for Sale Sharks. A strong ball carrier, who is solid on the ground and brilliant on defence, Curry beats out England counterpart Jack Willis (27.2%) while France captain Charles Ollivon (16.7%) and Peter O’Mahony (14.5%) finish in third and fourth positions respectively.

5 James Ryan (Ireland and Leinster): Although it wasn’t such a great year for Ireland on the Test scene, Ryan was arguably their best player and he was also at the forefront of Leinster’s triumphant PRO14 campaign. His impressive form was recognised by our readers and he eventually sealed his spot in the team after gaining 45.1% of the vote. England rookie Jonny Hill finished with 37.6% – after several impressive performances for Exeter Chiefs at club level – with France’s Paul Willemse (11.7%) and Matt Philip of Australia (5.6%) next best.

4 Maro Itoje (England and Saracens): Out on his own in terms of votes as your number four lock is the England and Saracens star. Itoje has been in outstanding form over the last 12 months, particularly for his country as he eases to this jersey with 74% of the clicks. Jonny Gray was next on the list with 12.2% but we feel France’s Bernard Le Roux (7.3%) should have been closer, with Guido Petti (6.5%) bringing up the rear. But, this poll was all about Itoje as he dominated the Test stage, which has led to growing calls for him to take on the captaincy for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

3 Kyle Sinckler (England and Bristol Bears): Another England representative here as Sinckler is your choice ahead of Australia and Reds tighthead prop Taniela Tupou. Sinckler finished with 38% of the votes to Tupou’s 29.2% after the Bears front-row’s strong campaign for both club and country. Ireland and Leinster’s Andrew Porter (21%) came third in the voting, as he enjoyed something of a breakthrough year, while Bath and England’s Will Stuart finished on 11.8%.

2 Jamie George (England and Saracens): One of the more hotly-contested positions saw George (29.4%) sneak in ahead of France’s Camille Chat (26.7%) and England team-mate Luke Cowan-Dickie (25.6%), with New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor (18.3%) in fourth place. George has been consistently solid for club and country during 2020 while Cowan-Dickie enjoyed an outstanding year at club level with Exeter Chiefs. Chat was also a rock for Racing 92 and France but George gets the nod here as your pick.

1 Mako Vunipola (England and Saracens): A somewhat surprising call from our readers here after Vunipola did not feature a great deal for England in the Six Nations, but it seems his Autumn Nations Cup and club form was enough for him to get your votes. He finished on 42.7% with his nearest challenger being a Scot who really stepped up this year, Rory Sutherland (23.7%). In third place was impressive France prop Cyril Baille (17.3%) while Joe Moody had 16.3% of the votes.

 

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