France and Ireland have taken the spotlight in World Rugby’s announcement of the 2023 Men’s Dream Team of the Year. This XV showcases a blend of powerful physicality, blazing speed, and exceptional skills.
Ardie Savea, the No. 8 for the All Blacks, secured the title of Player of the Year, finally earning his spot in the team after missing out last year to France’s formidable Grégory Alldritt.
In this Dream Team, New Zealand is represented by four players, whereas their Rugby World Cup final rivals, South Africa, have just one player featured. The majority of the lineup is made up of players from Ireland and France, with both countries contributing five players each.
Notably, despite remarkable performances from individuals like Ben Earl and Marcos Kremer, the recent Six Nations champions, England and Argentina, did not secure any positions in the dream team.
Only three players managed to retain their spots from the 2022 dream team into 2023: Tadgh Furlong of Ireland, Antoine Dupont of France, and New Zealand’s Will Jordan. Remarkably, this trio has now been selected for the third consecutive year, demonstrating their consistent excellence at the highest level of rugby.
Here is the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year for 2023:
- Cyril Baille (France)
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Charles Ollivon (France)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Richie Mo’unga (New Zealand)
- Will Jordan (New Zealand)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Damian Penaud (France)
- Thomas Ramos (France).
Andy Farrell Named World Rugby Coach of the Year: Ireland’s Successes and Celebrations…
Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, was honored as the World Rugby coach of the year during a Paris awards ceremony on Sunday. He clinched this prestigious award, surpassing notable figures like South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber, New Zealand’s Ian Foster, and Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui.
In 2023, under Farrell’s leadership, Ireland achieved remarkable success by winning the Six Nations and securing a Grand Slam. The team’s sole defeat during the year occurred in the World Cup quarter-final, with New Zealand edging them out in a 28-24 match. Notably, Farrell orchestrated a significant victory over the eventual World Cup champions, South Africa, during the tournament’s pool stage.
Five Irish players, sharing the top spot with France, earned spots on the World Rugby men’s dream team of the year. This select group included Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris, and Garry Ringrose. Center Aki, who recently extended his contract with the IRFU until 2025, was among the four finalists for the World Rugby men’s player of the year, thanks to his impressive four tries during Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final run. Ultimately, the player of the year award went to New Zealand’s dynamic loose forward, Ardie Savea, who stood out in the quarter-final match against Ireland.
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