Breakthrough team of the season - 2018/19

[Scrumhead]

There have definitely been some real breakthroughs this season. Here’s my XV:

1. Adam Brocklebank - Newcastle Falcons
2. Curtis Langdon - Sale Sharks
3. Will Stuart - Wasps
4. Sean Lonsdale - Exeter Chiefs
5. Alex Moon - Northampton Saints
6. Ted Hill - Worcester Warriors
7. Lewis Ludlam - Northampton Saints
8. Alex Dombrandt- Harlequins
9. Harry Randall - Bristol Bears
10. James Grayson - Northampton Saints
11. Ollie Thorley - Gloucester
12. Fraser Dingwall - Northampton Saints
13. Jordan Olowofela - Leicester Tigers
14. Cadan Murley - Harlequins
15. Max Malins - Saracens

Honourable mentions:

Joe Heyes - Leicester
Joel Kpoku - Saracens
Ben Earl - Saracens
Alex Mitchell - Northampton Saints
Ollie Lawrence - Worcester Warriors
Tom Seabrook - Gloucester
Matt Gallagher - Saracens

FYI - I know Dingwall is usually a 13 but there weren’t any obvious selections at 12 and three players fighting for 13 ...

I also know Ludlam has been around for a while, but there’s no question that this season has been his breakthrough IMO.

[Which Tyler]

Ruaridh McConnochie would like a word

[fivepointer]

I reckon Steve Uren has been Bristol's best 9. I'd also add in Piers O'Conor who has been consistently good. Will Rowlands really delivered for Wasps.

[Adam_P]

I'd have Hutchinson above Dingwall and Olowefela at 13, he's been incredible this season

[Puja]

I'd say this is Hutchinson's breakthrough season as well.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Agreed on Hutchison, also, wasn't Ollie Thoroey's breakthrough season last year? This year was his rejection of second season syndrome

[Scrumhead]

Sorry - for clarification, this was intended to be an English side. Otherwise, Hutchinson would definitely have been in.

Good shout on McConnochie. Even if he isn’t that young, he’s new to 15 a side rugby at senior level.

I thought Thorley had only played a handful of Premiership games last season but he actually played 10, the same as he has this year, so I stand corrected.

Swap him for McConnochie.

I really struggled at loosehead and hooker.

[Banquo]

Sorry - for clarification, this was intended to be an English side. Otherwise, Hutchinson would definitely have been in.

Good shout on McConnochie. Even if he isn’t that young, he’s new to 15 a side rugby at senior level.

I thought Thorley had only played a handful of Premiership games last season but he actually played 10, the same as he has this year, so I stand corrected.

Swap him for McConnochie.

I really struggled at loosehead and hooker.

Atkinson at 12?

[Scrumhead]

Best season? 100% yes. Breakthrough season? Not really.

[Banquo]

Best season? 100% yes. Breakthrough season? Not really.

Fair enough I suppose, and he is 29 . By breakthrough I imagine you mean establishing self in first team squad? Tompkins at 12?

How many times has Malins played 15 for Sarries out of interest?

[Scrumhead]

I’m not sure, but there were certainly a good few games where Goode started at 10 with Malins at 15 which seemed odd at the time.

That said, I do think Malins’ best position is likely to be 15. A bit like an English Damian McKenzie with the wheels/footwork to run or the vision to act as a second playmaker.

[Mellsblue]

Best season? 100% yes. Breakthrough season? Not really.

Fair enough I suppose, and he is 29 . By breakthrough I imagine you mean establishing self in first team squad? Tompkins at 12?

How many times has Malins played 15 for Sarries out of interest?

He was saving Atkinson for the quietly world class XV thread.

[Banquo]

Best season? 100% yes. Breakthrough season? Not really.

Fair enough I suppose, and he is 29 . By breakthrough I imagine you mean establishing self in first team squad? Tompkins at 12?

How many times has Malins played 15 for Sarries out of interest?

He was saving Atkinson for the quietly world class XV thread.

Booj failed to get a mention as well.

[Mellsblue]

Fair enough I suppose, and he is 29 . By breakthrough I imagine you mean establishing self in first team squad? Tompkins at 12?

How many times has Malins played 15 for Sarries out of interest?

He was saving Atkinson for the quietly world class XV thread.

Booj failed to get a mention as well.

Best hair and moustache combo XV