AP Breakthrough Team of the Season

Reading through LT's articles and a few people mentioned Will Fraser and the out standing breakthrough season that he's had. It got me wondering if we could make a full XV from players who've had a good first season for their clubs...

Players must have started 6+ games for their clubs this season
Can have played last season but not regularly
This can include European games as well but not LV
Does not necessarily have to be a youngster, could be a signing that's been out standing
Must have played well!

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Tom Youngs/Rob Buchanan - Youngs has been out standing this season, has firmly planted his standard as Tigers first choice and has set games alight with his running. Buchanan has finally bested Gray to the Quins 2. shirt, is showing huge physicality and real power in the engine room for his club.
3.
4. Graham Kitchener
5. George Kruis
6. Luke Wallace - Has had to bide his time for a taste of regular first team action but after some sterling performances is now difficult to leave out of the match day 23 for Quins, which is impressive when he's competing with club captain Robshaw and two quality flankers in Guest and Fa'Asavalu. His turn overs, pace and defensive work are out standing and he's apparently a natural leader too.
7. Will Fraser - A hugely physical youngster who can also scavenge and turn over breakdown ball with the best, he had a brilliant HC campaign and Sarries really missed him against the Saints. Fraser has ousted Andy Saull from the 7 shirt and club hero Burger must be a little worried about getting it back too.
8. Kalamafoni - I've only seen him play a few matches and two of those were at 8, the game against Harlequins was truly out standing for the Glos newbie as he carried the Cherry and Whites back in to it and matched Easter blow for blow. A stunning physical backrower and a brilliant find for Glos, he's apparently won just about every award going at the club and will be looking forward to next season.
9. Dan Robson
10. Ben Botica
11. Jamie Elliott
12. Billy Twelvetrees
13. Joel Tomkins
14. Marlande Yarde
15. Elliot Daly

So there's a few to get started, just need to fill the rest of the positions now.

I think a good case could be made for Ben Botica at FH?
He has played well whenever I've seen him in action, has a good boot, a good running game and has generally looked better than 2nd choice for most of the time.

1. Vunipola
9. Robson
12. Eastmond - could put him in a few positions
13. Tompkins - or did he play too much last year?
15. Cook

Could perhaps make a case for Christian Wade although he was involved a fair bit last year too.

Has Buchanan really got the Quins hooker slot? After all he started only 3 AP games and was on the bench for the play-off semi.

In terms of breakthrough seasons though i woudl add:

1 - MakoV - not sure he had started for Sarries before this season.
3 - Henry Thomas
4 - Grahan Kitchener - some stunning performances, and most starts for a tigers lock this season.
5 - George Kruis - played at 6 but will be a second row.

Note I consider Launchbury to have made his breakthrough last season.

8 - BillyV - push Kalamafoni to 6.
9 - Dan Robson
11 - Adam thompstone - first season at Tigers has been better than anyone could have expected.
12 - Billy Twelvetrees - fantastic fist season at Glaws
13 - Joel Tompkins
15 - Matt Tait - joined last season but spent most of the time in the physios. This season has progressivly gotten better and better.

jeffwinger wrote:
Could perhaps make a case for Christian Wade although he was involved a fair bit last year too.

9 tries in 15 matches last season, so yeah involved a fair bit

Could argue that Burns has had his breakthrough season, despite some mixef form.

Wade must be a shoo in at 11 and Ashley Johnson had a huge impact at Wasps, with Swainston also seeming to help secure the scrum. On the subject of props though, few could argue against the impact of 11 trie Aulika down at London Irish - his tries must have gone a long way to keeping them up.

Guess that is too much.

From those you mentioned LT, I would say that Kitchener, Twelvetrees and Tait have been knocking around for quite a while. Have all played a fair bit in the premiership before this season. Tait has even been a first choice international throughout a RWC!

Matt Kvesic over one of the flankers mentioned in the OP? He's been closest to the England set up this year and will be the only one of the 3 on tour over the summer. Should benefit from being at a better club next year and therefore more visible.

Tait has had a pretty good season after so many injury woes. Certainly a contender for the 15 slot. Also i'd agree with LT on Thompstone, he's had an excellent season.

jw,

I mentioned those as the OP talked about breakthroughs for their club. Kitchener is was still inexperienced at AP level before this season, but yes if previous club's form is taken into account then yes indeed 36 and Tait shoudl not be included.

It's only Tom Savage's 2nd season as a professional player, yet he feels like he's been around for much longer. I probably would say this is his breaktrough year though as he has been a regular starter and has captained the side in Hamilton and Tindall's absence. He is odds on favourite to get the job on a full time basis next year.

Yarde has to stake a claim for one of the winger spots. He's been excellent this year in a poor Irish side.

Was this Tom Casson's breakthrough year? That'll probably be next year I feel, but i still believe he is going to be an outstanding player.

I thought cases could potentially be made for Jamie Elliott at Saints, he's had a storming season and cemented his wing place. And also Elliot Daly at Wasps, although he may have played too much last season...

HongKongCherry wrote:It's only Tom Savage's 2nd season as a professional player, yet he feels like he's been around for much longer. I probably would say this is his breaktrough year though as he has been a regular starter and has captained the side in Hamilton and Tindall's absence. He is odds on favourite to get the job on a full time basis next year.

Yarde has to stake a claim for one of the winger spots. He's been excellent this year in a poor Irish side.

Was this Tom Casson's breakthrough year? That'll probably be next year I feel, but i still believe he is going to be an outstanding player.

I think Casson will get to be first choice in the twelve shirt next season and that'll be the big one for him. Like wise Charlie Matthews in the boiler room, he'll be playing a lot more next season as our two regulars get older.

From Exeter:
1 or 3 Carl Rimmer - signed from Pirates.
2 Jack Yeandle - one of 4 starting hookers through various injuries, but on the way to being first choice. Signed from Donny.
9 Will Chudley - signed from Newcastle.
14 Jack Nowell - Academy, LV/Amlin experience at FB last year, 1st choice wing in the mid to latter part of this season.

Of those, Nowell is probably the best contender

I would save nowell for next year, when he should have an incredible season.

Jack's had 14 starts for Chiefs this season, in HC, AP and LV, probably would have had more but for injury, and has been keeping 3 international wings out of the XV in the later part of the AP campaign. He won't be "breakthrough" next year.

I'd go Elliott, Nowell and Daly as the back 3, much as I admire Yarde, and with reservations that 15 may not be Daly's best position.

I was going to go and say Kitchener shouldn't be here as he'd already had his breakthrough year with Worcester. But when reviewing his game time with Wuss I think it is fair to say this has been his year.

Irish has to be Aulika and Yarde.

What do you call breakthrough?

Surprised no Launchbury. I would have him ahead of Kruis or Kitchener personally.

No Wade?

Wade and Launchberry both really broke into their teams last season and were starters from the off this season

beshocked wrote:What do you call breakthrough?

Surprised no Launchbury. I would have him ahead of Kruis or Kitchener personally.

No Wade?

As i said earlier Wade made his breakthrough last season (15 appearances, 9 tries and an England tour) and Launchbury can also be considered in the same light (13 starts in AP and England selection for the tour, but missed due to injury)

beshocked wrote:Surprised no Launchbury. I would have him ahead of Kruis

Hang-on a minute. Is this really Beshocked conceding that a player from another team is more deserving of something than a Sarries boy??

I feel champagne and bunting is required!!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

beshocked wrote:Surprised no Launchbury. I would have him ahead of Kruis

Hang-on a minute. Is this really Beshocked conceding that a player from another team is more deserving of something than a Sarries boy??

I feel champagne and bunting is required!!

Most of my votes on the AP dream team of the season haven't been to Saracens players. Only Vunipola,Fraser and Borthwick which is fair enough I think.

I'm only kidding.....I'm all for fans putting up a robust defence of their players.

It's not like the Irish and the Welsh won't lay down their lives for the likes of Biggar and Trimble!

Even the eminently wise FormerlyknownasSam has been known to write poetry on subjects such as Anthony Allen, Toby Flood and the merits of Julian Salvi!

I on the other hand am invariably fair and even-handed. That Matt Scott and Stuart Hogg have transcended world class to "moral victory class" is beyond doubt as far as I'm concerned.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'm only kidding.....I'm all for fans putting up a robust defence of their players.

It's not like the Irish and the Welsh won't lay down their lives for the likes of Biggar and Trimble!

Even the eminently wise FormerlyknownasSam has been known to write poetry on subjects such as Anthony Allen, Toby Flood and the merits of Julian Salvi!

I on the other hand am invariably fair and even-handed. That Matt Scott and Stuart Hogg have transcended world class to "moral victory class" is beyond doubt as far as I'm concerned.....

Salvi is class. I have to tell myself that he's being sarcastic when he tries to tell us that Allan is the best 12 around, sarcastic or drunk anyway.

yappysnap wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I'm only kidding.....I'm all for fans putting up a robust defence of their players.

It's not like the Irish and the Welsh won't lay down their lives for the likes of Biggar and Trimble!

Even the eminently wise FormerlyknownasSam has been known to write poetry on subjects such as Anthony Allen, Toby Flood and the merits of Julian Salvi!

I on the other hand am invariably fair and even-handed. That Matt Scott and Stuart Hogg have transcended world class to "moral victory class" is beyond doubt as far as I'm concerned.....

Salvi is class. I have to tell myself that he's being sarcastic when he tries to tell us that Allan is the best 12 around, sarcastic or drunk anyway.

Neither, just a typical Tigers supporter!

Allen is one of the most effective ICs in the premiership. However for me he is a smidgen below international class so I would prefer the England coaches to look at other options who may be able to take the step up and shine.

LT I do remember you pulling your hair out over Allen's dire play in the past, yes he looked good against Quins but like JTH for us I think he's limited, has a gameplan that is designed to suit him but when it can't be effected he is lost.

Oh I do not think he is great. My biggest gripe has been his inability to look for the pass - yet this season he is second on the Try assists stats, evidence that that has improved.

I stand by my assertion that at premiership level he is effective. The lack of a kicking game, his limited passing and his lack of size are why I say he is below international class, and this also shows up in the HEC. However it is impossible to have a squad full of international quality players and maintain any depth

Cheeky feckers.

I've not been writing "poetry" over Flood of late, he's been off the boil. A moronic yc in Toulon and his inability to kick a goal vs Quins being prime examples.

Allen is in top form and at the moment there's not a 12 in England playing better. That's form and helped by Barritt being injured. Not sure he's a long term option for England but he could be a useful stabilising option whilst there's a lack of outstanding options and plentiful youngsters in other backs positions.

Salvi has developed nicely at Tigers, tad worrying how reliant we are on his fitness.

Looks like Lancaster fancies Burrell as the back up 12 which is interesting, he had a pretty good finish to the season but is another fairly limited centre.

Bathman_in_London wrote:I think a good case could be made for Ben Botica at FH?
He has played well whenever I've seen him in action, has a good boot, a good running game and has generally looked better than 2nd choice for most of the time.

Tut tut no tom mcheathcote ? Surely better than a quins man ? Was easily baths best 10 and has become a regular scotland squaddie

Oh and on the bath topic (the best topic !) Semi rokoguni (spelling) went from being talent spotted playing for the army at sevens to starting centre/ winger for bath, epic rise to the AP, and scoring trys for fun in his last few games ! Just won the Babcock too, scored a hatrick and did a backflip after each one as his wounded soldier buddy asked him to before the game.

yappysnap wrote:Looks like Lancaster fancies Burrell as the back up 12 which is interesting, he had a pretty good finish to the season but is another fairly limited centre.

Hmmm, I agree. It's early door as far as I'm concerned for Burrell. Has the potential to be Turner-Hall or Matt Banahan mark II. Capable of the odd unstoppable performance, complete with outstanding offloads, but equally capable of butchering countless overlaps by a lack of basic skills.

Still, he's playing well at the moment, and I'll be interested in seeing how he gets on.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Looks like Lancaster fancies Burrell as the back up 12 which is interesting, he had a pretty good finish to the season but is another fairly limited centre.

Hmmm, I agree. It's early door as far as I'm concerned for Burrell. Has the potential to be Turner-Hall or Matt Banahan mark II. Capable of the odd unstoppable performance, complete with outstanding offloads, but equally capable of butchering countless overlaps by a lack of basic skills.

Still, he's playing well at the moment, and I'll be interested in seeing how he gets on.

That bad?! Both are a case of unfulfilled potential, especially JTH who has disappointingly failed to improve for a number of seasons now.

Banners was quite effective in the centres for us this season, but with Joseph coming in, it will be interesting to see where he plays and sits in the pecking order

I agree that both have unfulfilled potential, but neither are really international quality inside centres. Effective weapons if used properly, and as I said above, on their day can really look the part, but in terms of basic skill levels in certain areas, sorely lacking. My hunch is that Burrell will be the same.

I definitely agree, both Banahan and JTH are already under considerable pressure at club level from Botica, Casson and Eastmond, Williams - never mind international! In fact Eastmond and Casson have probably got a much better chance of playing for England.

I think the Bath players such as Eastmond and Biggs, capable of playing for England, really need Bath to be more successful on the pitch, on a consistent basis, in order to push their claims. It's hard to stake a claim for international honours when your team is stuck in midtable and blowing hot and cold. I think Donald moving on and Heathcote taking the role at 10 is a positive step, and hanging onto Stringer and that quick service of his is also important (and finding a replacement with an equally quick pass).

Some good players at Bath, and the pack is starting to look better, with Wilson, Webber and James a strong front row, and Attwood hitting form in the second row. The back row needs to improve, but otherwise I'd say things moving in the right direction. I think Saints will slip down next season without Tiny and Mujati, and the Glaws pack still doesn't look particularly scary, so there's an opportunity there next season for Bath.

I agree with you there FES, a fair assesment.

Back row has been strengthened with the signings of Garvey and Houston to add ball carrying threat, which we've lacked. Louw remains WC on one flank and hopefully Fearns can string together 3 games without getting injured and we're looking ok again. Home form was very strong, but we only won 1 game away, which is why we blow so hot and cold!

Definitely need to be back at the top 4 table, but it's going to be fiercely competitive. I see Tigers, Sarries, Quins at the top table, then another group of Saints, Glos, Exeter, Wasps and Bath, then the rest. But, I doubt it remains that easy!

ps. Don't think Biggs is good enough for England. Very good club player, but Wade, May are better options

Bathite wrote:ps. Don't think Biggs is good enough for England. Very good club player, but Wade, May are better options

True, but he's a better left winger than Mike Brown!