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Team of the Month: Come in No.1

It should not be a major surprise that the top two teams in the world, New Zealand and England, dominate our famous selection.

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The All Blacks provide the largest number of players for our starting XV – seven.

England provide four players for our first-choice selection, while Ireland (two), South Africa and Australia (one each) make up the numbers.

There is further reward for the English in our back-up squad, with six English players bubbling under.

New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland (with two each), along with Wales and Australia (one each) provide the rest of our back-up squad.

Team of the Month:

15 – Israel Dagg (New Zealand):

Removed any doubt about his ability to still function at Test level.

Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Australia)

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14 – Ben Smith (New Zealand):

Ruan Combrinck grabbed his chances and with more opportunities will surely challenge Smith for our right wing jersey.

Bubbling under: Ruan Combrinck (South Africa)

13 – Luke Marshall (Ireland):

And there were those prophets of doom that suggested the void left by the departure of Brian O'Driscoll would not be filled. Maybe not the finished product, but certainly an exciting prospect.

Bubbling under: Jonathan Joseph (England)

12 – Owen Farrell (England):

He offers so much more than just an additional playmaker. His goal-kicking is also invaluable to the team.

Bubbling under: Ryan Crotty (New Zealand)

11 – Waisake Naholo (New Zealand):

When fit and in full flight he as an awesome sight to behold.

Bubbling under: Jack Nowell (England)

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10 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand):

He didn't start out as first choice, but has certainly moved to the top of the New Zealand totem pole.

Bubbling under: Paddy Jackson (Ireland)

9 – Francois de Klerk (South Africa):

There are still those questioning his kicking game – and it is an issue – but there is no doubting the rest of his game, especially his energy and ability to rectify errors.

Bubbling under: Ben Youngs (England)

8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand):

Little doubt he is now the world's premier No.8.

Bubbling under: Billy Vunipola (England)

7 – James Haskell (England):

Clearly benefitting from the Eddie Jones way – playing some of his best rugby in years.

Bubbling under: Sam Warburton (Wales)

6 – Scott Fardy (Australia):

One of the few Wallabies who consistently matched the English for desire and skill.

Bubbling under: Chris Robshaw (England)

5 – Devin Toner (Ireland):

Showed, throughout the series, that he is so much more than just a line-out specialist.

Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

4 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):

Another All Black who is a step or two ahead of his peers in his position.

Bubbling under: Maro Itoje (England)

3 – Dan Cole (England):

The cornerstone of his team's scrum in a series whitewash.

Bubbling under: Owen Franks (New Zealand)

2 – Dane Coles (New Zealand):

Pace and skill in abundance, with the drive that makes All Blacks the best.

Bubbling under: Rory Best (Ireland)

1 – Mako Vunipola (England):

One of the powerhouses in an England pack the laid the foundation for the series whitewash.

Bubbling under: Jack McGrath (England)

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Kieran Read, 7 James Haskell, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Jack McGrath.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Kieran Read, 7 James Haskell, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Luke Marshall , 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Mako Vunipola.

Ashwin September XV 15 Israel Folau, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13, Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Mako Vunipola

Weekly selections:

Team of the week – June, Week Two: 15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand), 14 Ruan Combrinck (South Africa), 13 Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12 Owen Farrell (England), 11 Waisake Naholo (New Zealand), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 Warren Whiteley (South Africa), 7 James Haskell (England), 6 Chris Robshaw (England), 5 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Dan Cole (England), 2 Dane Coles (New Zealand), 1 Mako Vunipola (England).

Team of the week – June, Week One: 15 Liam Williams (Wales), 14 George North (Wales), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand), 12 Luke Marshall (Ireland), 11 Marland Yarde (England), 10 Paddy Jackson (Ireland), 9 Conor Murray (Ireland), 8 Kieran Read (New Zealand), 7 James Haskell (England), 6 Scott Fardy (Australia), 5 Devin Toner (Ireland), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Dan Cole (England), 2 Rory Best (Ireland), 1 Mako Vunipola (England).

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