Rugby Union Today: Our Team of the Year
South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe celebrates scoring his sides second try during the 2019 Rugby World Cup final match at Yokohama Stadium.
Another busy day in the rugby union game as we revealed the Planet Rugby Team of the Year following a thrilling 2019 which was full of excellent performances.
What’s on the site
South Africa unsurprisingly have the most nominations in our Team of the Year after their Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship wins, but other countries are also well represented with England, New Zealand and Wales all having multiple players in the XV.
Elsewhere, ‘Who’s hot and who’s not’ returned, which delves into the main talking points from the past seven days, and that discussed Louis Rees-Zammit’s form, Sam Davies’ last-gasp intervention for the Dragons and Wasps’ disappointing season so far.
Highlights from all those matches in the Premiership and PRO14 can be found on the site where there were also good wins for Sale, Exeter, Leinster and Glasgow.
What’s in the news
Jonny Bell has decided that he will end his five-year stint with Gloucester in 2020 after signing a deal to become Glasgow Warriors’ coach. Bell has agreed a two-year contract with the Scottish outfit which will take him to at least June 2022.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s new head coach Andy Farrell has claimed that the door is not closed on experienced full-back Rob Kearney, despite omitting the 33-year-old from his 45-man squad.
What’s on social media
Polly Barnes, the wife of referee Wayne, questioned his choice of attire after he made a TV appearance on Sunday as a pundit.
https://twitter.com/pollybarnes_/status/1208798129589501962
What’s on TV
The domestic action continues this weekend and BT Sport will be showing the Premiership games, including Bristol v Wasps, Northampton v Gloucester, Harlequins v Leicester and Exeter v Saracens.
Elsewhere, it is all about the derbies in the PRO14 on Premier Sports which starts with the Welsh fixtures on Boxing Day. Ulster v Connacht follows on Friday before Edinburgh face Glasgow and Munster take on Leinster in the big matches on Saturday.