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Rugby Boot Packs to Feature at Six Nations

At The Full 80, we’ve rounded up a list of the best boot brands in the business that are soon set to showcase their potential on the feet of the Six Nation’s most prolific players. So, feast your eyes rugby fans, and prepare for these colourful boots to dominate the pitch in the coming months!

adidas Road to Paris Pack

The best in class, it’s no wonder the adidas “Road to Paris Pack” is to showcase its unique potential on the pitch at the Six Nations tournament this year.

adidas Adizero RS7

Set to be worn by Ireland’s Josh van der Flier in the upcoming Six-Nations Rugby Tournament, the adidas Adizero RS7 SG rugby boot represents performance at its peak.

Evoking an aesthetically stunning Core Black/Cloud White/Gold Metallic colourway blended with detailed floral accents, adidas do things a little differently with this design…

adidas Adizero RS7 Soft Ground Boots – £180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Featuring a lightweight synthetic upper, paired with adidas’s GEOFIT technology, no gaps are left uncovered thanks to strategically placed Sensepod inserts to the ankle and midsole to keep you firm on the ground.

A signature lightweight soleplate features on the base, making traction effortless, resulting in sprints and side steps becoming a breeze for Wingers, Centres and Full-backs.

adidas Adizero RS7 Soft Ground Boots – £180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

A stunning display of adidas’s dedication to providing unbeatable performance on the pitch!

adidas Predator Malice

France’s Rugby prodigy Antoine Dupont and Scotland’s sensational Finn Russell are both expected to be wearing the adidas Predator Malice at this year’s Six Nations – and for good reason too!

Not only do the boots represent a phenomenal Cloud White/Shadow Navy/ Bliss Orange colourway, but the sheer attention to detail and consideration of the player is what makes these boots truly stand out from the crowd.

Featuring asymmetrical lacing and synthetic suede tongue, alongside padded foam pockets placed around the ankle, the boot becomes the perfect pairing for those all-important place kicks, drop kicks and punts.

adidas Predator Malice Soft Ground Boots Mens – £200 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Diamond-shaped detailing also features toward the forefoot, to provide a complimentary boost to help players improve the accuracy of their kicks.

Similar to the Adizero RS7, the Predator Malice also features the latest GEOFIT technology (as expected being a part of the ‘Road to Paris’ Pack) so rest easy in the knowledge that your feet will be firmly planted into these boots!

adidas Predator Malice Soft Ground Boots Mens – £200 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

adidas Kakari Z.1

Ireland’s Tadgh Furlong is set to grace the pitch at the Six Nations this year by keeping it cool in a pair of Kakari Z.1s and we can’t fault his choice with this unique cleat!

Gracing our eyes with a beautifully bold Shadow Navy/Cloud/Silver Dawn colourway with brilliant white stitching and a pastel pink soleplate, the adidas Kakari Z.1 paints a picture like no other.

adidas Kakari Z.1 Soft Ground Boots Mens -£180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Soft to the touch and offering the player exceptional comfort and lockdown thanks to a combined inner support strap and lightweight synthetic Ripstop upper, it comes as no surprise why this boot is the boot of choice for the rugby enthusiast.

Lightweight in nature, the eight-stud soleplate becomes the perfect sign-off in offering players ultimate traction, whilst becoming ideal for keeping players stable in the scrums or for those who want to build momentum when they need it most.

adidas Kakari Z.1 Soft Ground Boots Mens -£180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

A bold boot for the brave player, we simply can’t get enough of the adidas Kakaris!

Nike Generation Elite Pack

Elite boots designed for the Elite player. The Nike Generation Elite pack is here and we can’t wait to see how the boots perform at this year’s Six Nations Championship!

Nike Phantom GX Elite

Whilst we are yet to confirm who will be sporting the latest addition to the Nike Phantom GX boot line, one thing’s for sure, this silo won’t be slipping under the rugby radar. Just look at the captivating blend of the baltic blue, pink blast and brilliant white colourway! Perfection if we ever saw it…

Engineered with Nike’s latest GripKnit technology, the nifty grip combines knitted yarn with TPU( Thermoplastic Polyurethane) to administer an exceptional close-to-the-ball feel.

The textured fingerprint-like grip also promotes better accuracy and control, whilst offering added water resistance to keep the player’s feet dry in even the harshest wintry conditions.

Nike Phantom Elite GX Soft Ground Football Boots – £245 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

A patented ‘Ghost Lacing System‘ in the upper helps the wearer waste no time by making the tightening of laces effortless, requiring only a single pull.

Our favourite thing about the boot? The soleplate.

Showcasing a total of 13 studs (yes, 13!), 5 of which are ‘Tri Star‘ in shape, the Phantom GX possesses the highest stud variation of any Nike boot on the market.

Nike Phantom Elite GX Soft Ground Football Boots– £245 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Watch your rivals marvel as you speed past them towards the Try Line.

Nike Tiempo Elite

You can’t beat the classics- well, not when they look as good as this…

Showcasing a futuristic Space Purple/White colourway, Nike has certainly pulled out all the stops to make this classic silo modern, and just in time too for the 2023 Six Nations Rugby Championship. Lucky us!

Set to be worn by England’s Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell, we can’t wait to see how the Tiempo Elite performs on the pitch!

Offering the player a spacious toe box, coupled with textured grip insoles and Flywire cables in the midfoot, Nike provides the player with the perfect balance in offering space, whilst keeping the player’s foot locked down at crucial periods within the game.

Nike Tiempo Elite SG Football Boots – £215 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Equipped with a streamlined upper and re-engineered anti-clog soleplate, the Tiempo Elite Legend 9 becomes one of the lightest Tiempo boots to ever hit the public market!

Oh.. and did we also mention they’re some of the most comfortable boots for rugby players too?

Memory foam touch pods are embedded within the K-leather upper to offer a premium feel, whilst delivering cushioned contact with the ball.

Nike Tiempo Elite SG Football Boots – £215 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

It’s hard to find fault with this one. No wonder the Tiempo has been the boot of choice for players since 1994!

Nike Mercurial Superfly Elite DF

The Superfly silo is soon set to showcase to the world its potential at the Six Nations Championship this year by France’s cherished Centre- Gaël Fickou.

Arriving in an alluring White/Pink Blast/Indigo Haze/Baltic Blue colourway, it won’t be hard to miss this sleek silo from the stands!

Nike Mercurial Superfly Elite DF SG Football Boots – £260 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Engineered for speed, the Mercurial Superfly encompasses the latest Vaporposite boot tech to bestow an extremely thin and lightweight material on the upper, that offers unrivalled stability and durability when it really matters.

In looking to the bottom of the boot, Nike’s signature ‘Air Zoom’ soleplate takes centre stage as the most innovative piece of tech to feature.

Nike Mercurial Superfly Elite DF SG Football Boots – £260 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Thanks to a Zoom Air unit situated directly inside of the soleplate, Nike places the player’s foot closer to the ground to offer a more natural feel whilst delivering a highly responsive energy return, placing the player at the centre of the game.

An iconic boot set to make history for a second time at the Six Nations!

Mizuno – The ‘Dark Iridium’ Pack

Japanese sports giant Mizuno meets an iridescent revamp with their latest lineup – the Dark Iridium boot pack.

Mizuno Morelia Neo III Beta MIJ

If the likes of Mizuno’s ambassadors Dan Norton and Nemani Nodolo are anything to go by, it should come as no surprise that Neo III’s MIJ belongs to the Elite Class…

Since the days of ’85, the Morelia boot has been tearing up the pitch on the feet of pros and is to be showcased at the Six Nations Championship by Italy‘s Flanker, Michele Lamaro.

Arriving in an iridescent ‘Dark Iridium‘ colourway, Mizuno’s third generation of the Neo comes complete with a refined shape and taller toe box to become the perfect pairing for wide-footed players whilst delivering exceptional lockdown at the same time.

Mizuno Morelia Made in Japan SG Boots – £285 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Weighing in at just 190g, Mizuno has pulled out all the stops to ensure the latest addition to the Morelia lineup is the lightest yet and without compromise too!

Mizuno Morelia Made in Japan SG Boots – £285 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Sporting a dual-density soleplate to the bottom of the boot, the Morelia’s offer superior stability and traction, with the addition of reinforced studs to promote long-lasting performance

Made in Japan, like all top-end Mizuno boots, the Morelia Neo III also boasts Mizuno’s Barefoot Knit material toward the collar of the boot to offer exceptional lockdown and breathability to keep you cool on the pitch.

An enigmatic display of Mizuno’s dedication to the game!

Mizuno Neo 3 Elite SI 

The second silo in the Dark Iridium lineup – the Mizuno Neo 3 Elite SI.

Ireland‘s Second Row Taghg Beirne is set to wear these K-leather boots at the Six Nations Championship in the coming weeks and for all the right reasons…

Comprised of a lightweight, streamlined design reminiscent of the MIJ Neo III Beta above, the Elite SI becomes the third generation of Neo boot to deliver unrivalled speed and comfort in a premium form factor since the first Neo debuted to the world in 2011.

Mizuno Neo 3 Elite SI SG Rugby Boots – NOW £145 (Was £184.99) at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Providing players with the same Barefoot Knit material on the collar as found on the MIJ Neo III‘s, the Neo III Elite SI‘s not only produce refined lockdown, but a tongue-less upper in the mid-foot delivers a more streamlined feel, enabling punts and place kicks to be taken with pinpoint precision.

Mizuno Neo 3 Elite SI SG Rugby Boots – NOW £145 (Was £184.99) at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Underfoot, we find a dual-density outsole to promote superior stability and traction, with the SI offering its user the ability to remove and interchange the stud configuration to suit their particular playing style/position.

The nifty Neo is a firm contender for being one of the best boots to feature at the Six Nations Championship this year!

Like what you see? You can explore the latest Rugby boots from Lovell Rugby right here.

In the meantime, why not check out our predictions for the outcome of the Six Nations Championship below.

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Six Nations Predictions and Stand Out Players

 Whilst we wait to see how the games unfold, at The Full 80 we’ve rounded up our predictions and standout players.

#6. Italy

At number 6, we have Italy.

Coming in last for the 17th time in the standings last year, it’s not looking likely the team will be able to walk away victorious…

However, could their win against Australia back in the Autumn series of last year have ignited a new-found sense of Italian identity just in time for this year’s Six Nations? Time will tell…

Standout Player – Ange Capuozzo

If there’s any player likely to bolster Italy up in the ranks, it’s Italy’s prodigy Ange Capuozzo

Credit: @CapuozzoAnge

Weighing at 76kg and standing at 5ft 10, the 23 year-old rugby star has more than proved himself in recent years to become one of Italy’s most notorious rugby players.

Currently situated as a Fullback for the Stade Toulousain in France, Capuozzo first broke onto the scene in his debut for Italy last year at the 2022 Six Nations where he won his first Test Cap against rival Scotland.

Scoring two tries in his debut against Wales, the Fullback didn’t hesitate in showcasing to the world his dedication to the team and even set up Edoardo Padovani‘s late try against Wales to secure Italy‘s first win against Wales since 2015. A momentous feat!

Just look at his performance here:

Regarded as one of the fastest players to feature at the 2023 Six Nations, could Capuozzo prove us wrong and help Italy soar to new heights? We’d love to see it!

Capuozzo’s Boot of Choice: Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite

For this year’s Six Nations, we’re expecting Capuozzo to grace the pitch in a pair of the latest Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite boots in a stunning pink blast colourway.

Nike Mercurial Vapor Elite SG Football Boots – £245 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

#5. Wales

Whilst some may argue it’s unlikely Wales will find themselves in 5th place for the second year in a row, the recent performance of Scotland, England, Ireland and France leave that to be contested…

Having lost to Italy for the very first time in 2022, the daring Dragons finished in 5th place, despite having been the defending champions of the year prior.

With previous coach, Wayne Pivac having also parted ways with the Welsh Rugby Union following a bleak 2022 autumn campaign, could the return of Wales’ new coach, Warren Gatland, be enough to help the dragons elevate their game?

Whilst we’d love to see it, we feel the team’s front rowers, Tomas Francis and Dillon Lewis don’t uphold quite the same athleticism or power as some of the other Forward players in the tournament.

We’d love to be proven wrong, but we feel the reliance on the Forwards is not enough to provide a strong enough foundation to allow the rest of the team to thrive.

Standout Player: Louis Rees-Zammit

Nicknamed ‘Rees-lightning’, the Lions Tour of 2022 saw the introduction of Warren Gatland‘s break-out star, Louis Rees-Zammit.

Credit: @LouisReesZammit

Deemed one of the most threatening attackers in the game, his playing style on the pitch meets a consistently high standard and has even been rumored to be in talks with NFL as a potential player for American Football.

It’s no surprise…especially considering how he holds the third position in being one of the fastest rugby players in the world to reach speeds of 10.73 metres per second.

Just look at how he leaves his rivals in the dust:

As Wales continue to look to future generations to claw back the nostalgia of Wales’ dominance at the top of the Six Nations pedestal, could Welsh prodigy Louis Rees-Zammit be just the player they need to help bolster their ranks?

If his performance back in September against Wasps RFC is anything to go by, anything’s possible!

Zammit’s Boot of Choice: adidas Adizero RS7

As we draw closer to the Six Nations, it’s likely we will see the rugby sensation give it his all in a pair of adidas Adizero RS7‘s and it’s not hard to see why.

adidas Adizero RS7 Soft Ground Boots – £180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

#4. Scotland

Likely to be one of the biggest rivals for Wales and Italy, we have in fourth place – Scotland.

Despite having never emerged victorious at the Six Nations Championship alongside Italy, we have to hand it to Scotland’s history in dominating the Five Nations before the tournament saw the addition of Italy in 2000.

Whilst historically speaking Scotland are more than capable of putting one past their rivals, the team are notorious for their rivalry with the England national team, and have come to only lose once in their last six games against them.

In particular, despite having beat both England (20-17) and Italy (22-33) at the 2022 Six Nations, Scotland saw considerable losses in their games against Wales (20-17), Ireland (26-5) and France (17-36) resulting in Les Bleus landing a fourth place position.

A ranking we believe they’re likely to secure yet again at this year’s Championship!

Standout Player – Finn Russell

In the eyes of Gregor Townsend, Finn Russell is revered as one of the most gifted rugby players to ever take to the pitch, with the firm belief that the Racing ’92 playmaker’s performance is only just now heading towards its peak.

“He’s one of the most skillful players to ever play the game- not just playing now, but to ever play the game”

“In that position you’ve got to take a big role in the leadership of the game, and that requires work and preparation- and Finn does that.”

Gregor Townsend on Finn Russell

It’s clear the skillset of Russell is going to have rival players quaking in their boots at this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Having featured in two Rugby World Cups and been capped more than 50 times by his country, alongside a featured spot in the British and Irish Lions squads in 2017 and again in 2021, it’s clear Russell is a key contender in carrying Scotland to the try line.

Let’s not forget how he single-handedly helped pull the Glasgow Warriors through to secure their first ever PRO12 Championship, and has since displayed unhindered dedication to France’s Top 14.

Not convinced? Check out how the Scot orchestrates a fantastic score in finding Christian Wade and securing a try at the Heineken Champions Cup.

If, as Townsend suggests, Russell is yet to reach his peak, might we now see his peak performance at the Six Nations?

Time will tell.

Russell’s Boot of Choice: adidas Predator Malice

A bold choice for the brave player, the adidas Predator Malice will be gracing the feet of Finn Russell at this year’s Six Nations.

adidas Predator Malice Soft Ground Boots Mens – £200 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

#3 .England

In third place – the Red Roses.

Taking up third place last year, at The Full 80, we believe England aren’t likely to make any improvements on their standing for this year’s Six Nations.

In reflecting on 2022, the year ended badly for England as they secured only a single victory in the Autumn International Series against Japan (52-13) , taking a considerable beating against Argentina (29-30) and South Africa (12-27).

Whilst Borthwick sure knows how to build a solid Forward formation, especially at the International level. Let’s not forget how he helped secure the infamous 2015 victory in Japan against South Africa!

Could Borthwick propel England’s players to secure themselves a win at the Six Nations Championship?

We feel third place is the most likely outcome!

Standout Player: Marcus Smith

Since his inception into the Harlequins, Marcus Smith has made 136 appearances and been awarded 13 England Caps and if his recent performance at the Heineken Champions Cup is anything to go by then he’ll be a fantastic asset to the England Squad at this year’s Six Nations.

Having sustained an ankle injury playing against South Africa (27-12) in the Autumn series, it appears the Fly-half is set to return in full-force for the Six Nations Championship, having already made a comeback at the recent Heineken Champions Cup.

Just look at his performance against Racing ’92 here:

In a recent match between the Harlequins and Sharks on Saturday 21st Jan, Smith became a pivotal player, scoring a total of 14 points following six of his seven attempts from the tee proving to be successful, leaving New Zealand coach, Tabai Matson awestruck by the 23 year-old’s sensational display of athleticism.

Tabai Matson on Marcus Smith:

“For Marcus to do 80 minutes two games in a row and be in really good physical condition after that injury is phenomenal […]

It shows his work ethic, his preparation, because you would never have thought he had that much time out of the game”

Could Marcus Smith soar to even greater heights than ever before and help England come out victorious?

Boot of Choice: Nike Tiempo Elite

The iconic boot for an iconic player. The Nike Tiempo Elite from Nike’s latest Generation Pack is a likely contender for being the boot of choice for Smith at this year’s Six Nations. Having already tried and tested a Peach/Yellow colourway variant, we can soon expect the rugby star to be switching it up in the latest Purple/White colourway.

Nike Tiempo Elite SG Football Boots – NOW £170 (Was £214.99) at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

#2. Ireland

In second place- The Shamrocks

Coming in strong as a the runner up for the Six Nations Championship last year, Ireland’s only defeat came against Six Nations champions – France.

Following recent success over the All Blacks in the Autumn series, Ireland saw themselves overtake rival France to sit at the top of the World Rugby rankings, whilst also becoming the top ranked union side in the world for a second time!

Let’s also not forget how in the second half of 2022, Ireland became the fifth team in history to claim a win over New Zealand!

Standout Player- Josh van der Flier

Awarded 45 international caps, the 29 year old Flanker has time and time again proven himself to be a standout player since his first debut for the Ireland international team after a call up from Joe Schmidt at the 2016 Six Nations Championship. The game that saw him win his first cap against England in March 2016.

Recently awarded the title of European Professional Rugby Club Player of the year and longlisted to earn the title for second time alongside 4 other Irish players, Josh van der Flier could be the make or break for Ireland’s victory at this years Six Nations Championship.

Credit: @WorldRugby

Just look at the World Rugby Player of the Year score a try off the back of a rolling maul back in the Autumn Nations Series in November 2022.

Van der Flier’s Boot of Choice: adidas Adizero Rs7

A popular boot from the adidas’ recent ‘Road to Paris’ pack that packs a serious punch. Recently gifted to Van der Flier by the adi sporting giant, we can expect to see the infamous Flanker bring his A game in a pair of the adidas RS7 rugby boots.

adidas Adizero RS7 Soft Ground Boots – £180 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

#1. France

First place – France.

As the most favoured to win the Six Nations Championship this year, France showcases some of the purest rugby talent in the world, featuring the likes of Gregory Alldritt, Romain Ntamack and standout player Antoine Dupont all set to take to the pitch this season.

Having recently claimed home victories over South Africa, Japan and Australia, France are set up to become a nation one step closer to becoming the best rugby team in the world.

Let’s also not forget the fact they were Grand Slam Champions at last year’s Six Nations, making them a fan favourite to win at this year’s championship…

With there being some concern speculated around the lack of experience of the players (most of which are 25 years or younger), will France have what it takes to secure them as victors ahead of the Rugby World Cup?

Standout Player: Antoine Dupont

Recognized for his exceptional playmaking, Antoine Dupont is set to be a key contender in leading France to victory at this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Having made his debut against Leinster in 2014 at just 17 years old, Dupont has since shown relentless dedication to his craft.

Currently playing for Stade Toulasain in France as a Scrum-Half, the 26 year old has been building quite the name for himself.

Regarded as one of the finest scrum halves to ever play the game, he has occupied the position a total of 127 times on the starting team, and been appointed the role of Fly-half just 5 times.

Making more than 50 appearances for Toulouse, he’s helped lead his team to capture the Top 14 championship and the recent Heineken cup.

Not only this, but since his debut for Les Bleus in 2017, the star has been capped more than 30 times and has represented his national side at both the Six Nations Championships and the Rugby World Cup.

Credit: Antoine Dupont

Just look at his phenomenal Try that was voted the Champions Try of the Round for Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Unstoppable!

Boot of Choice: adidas Predator Malice

Again, the Predator Malice features as a popular boot to be worn at the Six Nations and one we’re likely to see France’s Antoine Dupont showcase his skills in.

adidas Predator Malice Soft Ground Boots Mens – £200 at Lovell-rugby.co.uk

Like what you see? You can check out the latest boots to feature at the Six Nations here, where we discuss the characteristics of each boot and what makes them ideal for players, taking into consideration their position on the field.

Let us know in the comments your thoughts and opinions on who’s set to win the Six Nations Championship this year. We’d love to hear from you!

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Premiership Rugby Team of the Year

#1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)

Gengey gets the nod in the number one shirt. The Bristolian loosehead captained his Leicester side to Premiership triumph, as they vanquished Saracens in the final.

Credit: England Rugby

The ‘baby rhino’, as he’s known, has the tenacity of a honey badger.

He proved it once again in the face of packs of naysayers throughout the campaign. Never one to mince his words, Genge did his bit to call out insidious racism that plagues rugby, sport and wider society, sharing a despicable direct message he received on Twitter hours after winning the title.

Undoubtedly an integral part of England’s starting XV

#2. George Mcguigan (Newcastle Falcons)

A stellar season with the Falcons saw the hooker and homegrown hero score 18 tries in 27 games across all competitions. McGuigan finished runner-up top try-scorer in the Premiership, with fifteen tries. His hooking, general scrummage work and lineout throws were top tier all season long.

Credit: OptaJonny

From 159 carries, McGuigan made 777 metres.

#3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

The Tigers’ academy graduate nearly followed a two-generation family tradition of playing football as a goalkeeper. Switching sports turned out to be a wise move – the tighthead prop delivered a sensational show of consistency throughout the last campaign and earned himself a call up to the England’s summer tour of Australia. Already a seasoned international at Under-18 and Under-20 level, he’ll no doubt rack up plenty more senior caps in years to come.

Credit: The RPA

The nineteen-stone 22-year-old made 104 out of 111 attempted tackles, at a success rate of 94%.

#4. Hugh Tizard (Harlequins)

Second row Tizard was nominated for the Land Rover Discovery of the Season award. The young lock featured eight times for Quins in their 20/21 Premiership title-winning season. In the most recent Premiership campaign, he didn’t miss a single match and showed why at 21 years of age his future is as fine and bright as his beach blonde hair.

Credit: Harlequins

Competition for a number 4 or 5 England shirt is fierce with such an abundance of elite talent already in the senior squad and hovering on the fringes. We’re sure Tizard will be contesting for either one in the years to come.

He joins Saracens next season, who released this statement on Tizard’s behalf: “Although it was an incredibly hard decision, I feel that it is the right decision for my rugby. I want to challenge myself and grow as a player and I feel Saracens will be the perfect place to do that.”

#5. Elliott Stooke (Wasps)

An underrated all-rounder no more, Stooke shone in the Wasps jersey during his debut campaign. Now in his prime at 28, the second-rower brings a perfectly-weighted mixed bag of exuberance and experience to his team on and off the field.

Credit: Hartpury University RFC

Defence coach Wayne Henley highlighted his “awesome craic and really good banter” and ability to switch between being a jovial guy and a serious leader who makes others accountable. Stooke’s solid season came to an unfortunate end on the penultimate matchday with a nasty leg-break.

#6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton)

It’s no surprise big Courts is on a dream team list. The lofty icon is versatile; worth his salt as a second or back-row and proved why he’s one of the most feared big-hitting tacklers around with more monstrous hits in a Northampton shirt. Not many men can out-reach the 6’8 veteran In the Premiership campaign he proved to be effective.

Credit: Northampton Saints

#7. Ben Earl (Saracens)

The Gallagher Player of the Season demonstrated devastating hard hits, pack play, mauling and counter-rucking. The jackal turnover is an art form, which Earl has fully mastered. Only missing three games all season, the flanker shone in defence and showed his flair as a brilliant ball-carrier, averaging 7.17 metres per carry, contributing to the 11 tries he scored. A hat-trick came in the game against fierce rivals Harlequins

Credit: RugbyPass

The season prior to last saw Earl on loan at Bristol. “Saracens means the world to me. It is everything to me and my family, and I’m massively thankful to the opportunity they gave me to go away and then come back.”

By his own account the loan spell proved beneficial to his development as an elite player entering his career prime. Earl made it to the semi-finals with the Bears and makes no bones about the manner in which they suffered defeat. narrowly missed out on top spot.

#8. Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)

Powerhouse South African Wiese completes our dream Premiership forwards at the back of the pack at number eight. Having arrived from his hometown of Bloemfontain, he left the Cheetahs to become a Tiger in 2020, joining Leicester, where he’s settled nicely to become an integral component in a title-winning team.

Credit: Springboks

A wrecking ball of a bloke, he arrived in England last season with all the talent to boot yet not quite the level of match discipline to meet Premiership standards. Picking up 3 bookings in his first 10 games, it was clear the Bok needed to quickly adapt to English rugby. Under strict guidance of Borthwick and co., Wiese focused on cutting out errors and went 18 games without a card last season. To top it all off, he scored Leicester’s second try in the final against Saracens and was named the Man of the Match.

#9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

At nine, we’ve gone for Saints’ scrum half Alex Mitchell. Always in command of the back line, the Englishman is like a terrier at the breakdown.

Credit: England Rugby

He’s surely the front-runner to succeed Ben Youngs as the regular starting number 9 for England.

#10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Few fly-halves have consistently pulled the strings in the Gallagher Premiership over recent years as well as England’s reliable ten. With 220 points, Ford found fine form over the 21/22 campaign – ending as top points scorer.

Credit: Rugby Joe

The 29-year-old’s stellar season ended disastrously with a ruptured Achilles in the final, meaning he’ll most likely miss the start of next season with new club Sale,

#11. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)

One of the emerging talents of last season, the London Irish eleven scored 10 tries and averaged 10.48 metes per carry in the 18 appearances he made.

He has spent invaluable time in the England camp, though still awaits the inevitable maiden cap.

Credit: Rugby on BT Sport

Away from the pitch the 23-year-old breaks the typical pro-rugby-lad mould. He’s got a fresh individual style; he likes minimalist tattoos, plays Call of Duty and is a self-proclaimed ‘Cat Dad’, with an Instagram account for his home.

#12. André Esterhuizen (Harlequins)

Andre ‘The Giant’ South African inside centre wreaked havoc on Premiership defensive lines last season. In 25 matches, he managed 8 tries and 6 assists while making 86% of his 253 attempted tackles.

Credit: SA Rugby Magazine

Standing 6ft4” tall and weighing 113kg, the Springbok proved to be a powerful cog in the Harlequins machine. At 27, the Quins faithful will be delighted with Esterhuizen’s signature penned in September of last year.

#13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

Marchant joins his Quins teammate in our pick at outside centre. The deadly duo of previous champions combined plenty of times to rack up the points, with Marchant’s contribution tallying 7 tries and 2 assists.

Credit: Premiership Rugby

The 26-year-old Englishman had a 90% tackling success rate, missing only 11 of 109 attempted.

Marchant wears FG adidas RS7 while running at centre last season, powering through opposite backlines and partnering with Danny Care.

#14. Max Malins (Saracens)

How could we not have the Premiership top try scorer flying down our right-sided wing? Malin’s only featured in 15 matches yet topped the try tally with 16.

The 25-year-old who, by his own admission, is not even a traditional winger. He began pro rugby life as a promising fly-half through Saracens academy ranks, before stepping into full-back

Credit: England Rugby

had an incredible season filling in for injured England usuals Jonny May and Anthony Watson during the Six Nations

#15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

Its not often 6’5”, 100kg full-backs come around. Luckily for Leicester, Freddie Steward is a Tiger. Still only 21, he garnered loads of high praise for his consistency.

Credit: England Rugby

England’s reigning player of the year was quoted in the Guardian saying “I love a challenge. Its about not being scared of failing.” Too right.

I can’t wait to rip in next season and hopefully do it all over again. But he’ll be without his pal George Ford to learn. Steward owed the development of his game to George Ford

Coach – Steve Borthwick (Leicester Tigers)

Borthwick’s side went unbeaten at home last season and bagged the Gallagher Premiership title thanks to Freddie Burns’ majestic drop goal 20 seconds-from-time at Twickenham.

Now he’s guided the Tigers to the Premiership title for the first time in nine years; a long overdue resurgence to the top after flirting with relegation in recent years.

Credit: ESPN ScrumRugby

Of course, no one should’ve questioned the minerals of a man who captained England under Martin Johnson’s reign. But it’s the sheer speed in which Borthwick has managed to turnaround the Tigers’ fortunes which is impressive. Not to mention the playing style instilled into his squad. They rarely crumble under pressure nowadays and are a cohesive unit who’re able to threaten teams any which way. Due kudos to his assistants and backroom staff as well