Team of the Season so far (Jeff)

So following on from the Pro12 thread on team of the season, here is one for the Jeff, with the same rules:

1. What I'm trying to determine is players who have played consistently well over the first half of the season.
2. By nature, this means that if you select players who have missed chunks of the season with injury, it's going to be a harder 'sell'.
3. European club and international form counts.
4. Naming more than 5 players from the same side means that other posters will probably arouse suspicion of partisanship.
5. Without prejudice to 4, be nice.

My effort:

1. Nic Auterac (BATH)
2. Jamie George (SARACENS)
3. Vladim Cobilas (SALE)
4. Dave Attwood (BATH)
5. Callum Green (NEWCASTLE)
6. Ashley Johnson (WASPS)
7. Blair Cowan (LONDON IRISH)
8. Nathan Hughes (WASPS)

9. Greig Laidlaw (GLOUCESTER)
10. Danny Cipriani (SALE)
11. Jonny May (GLOUCESTER)
12. Kyle Eastmond (BATH)
13. Jonathan Joseph (BATH)
14. Sinoti Sinoti (NEWCASTLE)
15. James Wilson (NORTHAMPTON)

Bench: Marc Jones (SALE), Marcos Ayerza (LEICESTER), Tommy Francis (EXETER), Samu Manoa (NORTHAMPTON), Jamie Gibson (LEICESTER), Chris Cusiter (SALE), George Ford (BATH), George North (NORTHAMPTON)

Admittedly, I don't watch every game, but in the matches I have seen these guys have stood out. I apologise for any mistakes I have made!

SirBurger wrote: I apologise for any mistakes I have made!

All 15 of them!

Auterac, Hartley, Thomas, Manoa, Lawes, Johnson, Haskell, Waldrom
Care, Ford, May, Burrell, Joseph, Sinoti, Watson

I had 6 Bath players originally, but dropped Eastmond for Burrell to reduce their quota.

Well done SirBurger.

No Saints or Tigers in the pack. Who would have thunk it.

You guys really rate Auterac. Really looking forward to him facing off against Michael Cusack in the next European game. I'll hear the collision from here.

Auterac is some way from being the best LH in the AP, but has been playing the best in the AP recently. Much better than James anyway. I would have included Ayerza, but with the 4Ns and then the AIs he has played very few AP matches. . Auterac has improved leaps and bounds this season, as has Henry thomas who again at club level has outshone Davey Wilson.

Auterac has the potential to be very good but he is learning his trade and won't peak for a few years yet. best LH in the Prem this year?

Not yet. best find maybe.

Wow loving seeing Calum Green in the OP.

And it is a worthy mention because he has been outstanding for us this season.

And Sinoti...well no need to mention how awesome he is.

Calum Clark should be in the back row.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Wow loving seeing Calum Green in the OP.

And it is a worthy mention because he has been outstanding for us this season.

And Sinoti...well no need to mention how awesome he is.

Calum Clark should be in the back row.

I actually think you're right regarding Clark. I am not a massive fan of his, but he has been excellent this season. I think my London Irish bias slipped in a little bit there, as I think Cowan's form has actually taken a slight dip since the Autumn Internationals (although he was outstanding prior to these and is still our best player).

Wilson is a cracking utility player but I'm not sure he's the best full back so far this season. The big names in the 15 shirts have been lacking but Hammersley at Falcons and Haley have been ripping it up ball in hand whilst Seb Jewel has been a rare bright light in a season of abject humiliation for LW.

Agree on Auterac he's a beast who is improving very well. If I were Bruce Craig I'd be getting his signature on a four year deal. He's going to be an international in a couple of years and a real asset for the Bath front row. He's only 22!

No mention for Slade or Hill? I think both have been really good for the Cheifs. Slade in particular has been stylish in attack, rock solid in defence and his versatility extremely impressive particularly in a youngster. He's like a competent James Hook.

For me, it is difficult to have any 'team of the half-season' without including Samu Manoa.  The big American has played every position from 4 - 8 extremely well.  He has been the best player at one of the best clubs in the Premiership.  So simply mark him down as any of the 4,5,6,7,8 of the half-season and I am happy.  I know someone will say his flexibility may cost him here, but I would disagree.  

Second best at Saints, to me, has been Myler.  No need to re-invent the Great Fly Half debate, but I do see him as having playing better than Cipriani, last weekend not excepted (the whole team was sleep walking).  Sale has done that more than a few times this season.  

After that, I would have Calum Clark, who is having a terrific season, and Alex Waller.  Other players have not played as regularly or as consistently this season, and I wouldn't consider them as part of the 'team of the half season'.  

For whatever it's worth.

I don't feel I've watched enough club rugby this season to have the best opinion, but from what I've seen:

15- Seb Jewell
14- Sinoti Sinoti
13- Henry Slade
12- Kyle Eastmond
11- Johnny May
10- George Ford
9- Joe Simpson
8- Nick Easter (tough call vs Manoa)
7- Callum Clarke
6- Ashley Johnson
5- Graham Kitchener
4- Samu Manoa, or if that's not allowed,
3- David Wilson
2- Dylan Hartley
1- Alex Waller

As always, close in the backrow

Alex Waller , Ross Batty , Dave Wilson , Dave Attwood , Callum Green , Samu Manoa , James Haskell and Nathan Hughes

Chris Cook , Dan Cipriani , Sinoti Sinoti , Luther Burrell , Henry Slade , Jonny May and James Wilson.

James Wilson is a superb utility player and can cover just about any slot from 10 - 15 at AP standard. He is however not as accomlished or playing as well as Foden at 15.

I have not seen a better LH than Alex Waller this season, or better lock/8 than Samu Manoa. Some people have better games, but for shear consistancy which is what we need, no one gets close IMHO

I think Myler also deserves a bench spot as Mr. Consistantly 2nd best 10 in the AP.

Tricky to pick in some positions but based on the games I've seen (ie Bath games and whatever has been on tv when I'm free).

1.Auterac
2.George
3.Thomas
4.Manoa
5.Kitchener
6.Haskell
7.Clark
8.Hughes

9. Cook
10. Myler
11. May
12. Hill
13. Joseph
14.Sinoti
15. Foden

Some tricky calls in there, but not a bad looking team. Haskell arguably shouldn't be there as he has been playing 7 a bit, but he is playing far too well to leave out.

Re Auterac, he is a perfect example for academy/younger guys of what can happen when injuries give you a chance. Both him and Thomas have been better than our first choices this season.