Greatest 15 of Heineken Cup Era

[munstermuffin]

As it's only 3 games from the end and I saw an article elsewhere I would ask people what are their greatest team of Heineken era (based solely on Heineken)
Mine would be

1. Healy
2. Servat
3. Hayes
4. Johnson
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Rocky Elsom or Betsen
7. Back
8. Harinordoquy
9. Yachvilli
10. O'Gara
11. Nalaga
12. Fofana
13. O'Driscoll
14. Clerc
15. Nacewa

16. Flannery
17. Roncero
18. De Villiers
19. Pelous
20. Wallace
21. Pienaar
22. Sexton
23. Ntamack

Probably a bit Irish bias but a bit of fun.

 

[Big Ewis]

cool thread idea. And well filled up XV too. But sorry for being pedantic, but it's "bhayazs". Irish bhayazs.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

John.

Hayes.

 

[Big Ewis]

how about if his name'd been "Hohn Jayes"....more catchy if you ask me..

 

[Amiga500]

John.
Hayes.

Yip. Big John.

Absolutely vital as a 1 man lifter for Paul O'Connell allowing Munster to have 2 jumpers in their lineout to put pressure on any opposition throw. Crucial to the success of RadgeBall which seen Munster compete in how many finals in the 2000s?

 

[munstermuffin]

John.

Hayes.

Don't think of his last season or 3 but overall his lineout work, he was solid in scrum and rarely injured while always putting in great shift

 

[Groundhog]

Gwan Bull, Tis your field!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's hard to pick a team without showing bias and also without forgetting a few players.

From quickly looking at Munstermuffin's team, a few things stand out for me. I'd have Lawrence Dallaglio in at 8. Fabien Pelous instead of Martin Johnson in a close call. Josh Lewsey instead of Nalaga. Perhaps Shane Williams? I'd also go for Jonny Sexton at 10 in place of Ronan O'Gara (again a close call) simply due to his brilliant 4 year spell in which he lead Leinster to 3 ***les. Does Rocky Elsom deserve a spot in the team having had just one (admittedly brilliant) season? I'd go with Sean O'Brien instead. John Hayes is a controversial call but I understand why he's there. He was a key player for Munster in 4 finals with 2 victories. I'd shoehorn Yannick Jauzion in at 12 in place of Wesley Fofana. Could a case be made for Carl Hayman and Steffon Armitage?

Honourable mentions for Christophe Lamaison, Sébastien Carrat and Gregori Kacala from a magnificent Brive team. Jean Baptiste Ellisalde is unlucky to miss out.

Good thread. It'd be interesting to see if people can forward contenders for each position and maybe have a forum-wide vote?

 

[munstermuffin]

It's hard to pick a team without showing bias and also without forgetting a few players.

From quickly looking at Munstermuffin's team, a few things stand out for me. I'd have Lawrence Dallaglio in at 8. Fabien Pelous instead of Martin Johnson in a close call. Josh Lewsey instead of Nalaga. Perhaps Shane Williams? I'd also go for Jonny Sexton at 10 in place of Ronan O'Gara (again a close call) simply due to his brilliant 4 year spell in which he lead Leinster to 3 ***les. Does Rocky Elsom deserve a spot in the team having had just one (admittedly brilliant) season? I'd go with Sean O'Brien instead. John Hayes is a controversial call but I understand why he's there. He was a key player for Munster in 4 finals with 2 victories. I'd shoehorn Yannick Jauzion in at 12 in place of Wesley Fofana. Could a case be made for Carl Hayman and Steffon Armitage?

Honourable mentions for Christophe Lamaison, Sébastien Carrat and Gregori Kacala from a magnificent Brive team. Jean Baptiste Ellisalde is unlucky to miss out.

Good thread. It'd be interesting to see if people can forward contenders for each position and maybe have a forum-wide vote?

Name a 15/23 for laugh.
Obviously there's a lot of close calls. I genuinely forgot about Lewsey although I still think Nacewa was 1 of best 15s I've seen play game.
Agree with Rocky that's why I put Betsen there too.
But come on guys let's name a few teams nobody will agree 100%

Great idea about vote thing too Snoop.
Could become the official TRF Heineken 15/23

 

[goodNumber10]

I'd have Alex King in at 10.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd have Alex King in at 10.

If I'm honest I never rated him highly but he was key player in Wasps highs

 

[goodNumber10]

indeed, he was very much involved with their strategy formation and the development of their attack.

He's developed into an awesome backs coach as his time at Clermont and now Saints

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

From that Wasps team, Tom Voyce also deserves consideration. My team which will change hugely upon people criticizing it:

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Josh Lewsey
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Yannick Jauzion
11. Vincent Clerc
10. Jonny Sexton
9. Dmitri Yashvili
1. Cian Healy
2. William Servat
3. Pieter de Villiers
4. Fabien Pelous
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Neil Back
8. Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

Jerry Flannery, Sylvain Marconnet, Jean Baptiste Poux, Martin Johnson, Imanol Hairydonkey, Jean Baptiste Ellisalde, Ronan O'Gara, Will Greenwood

 

[munstermuffin]

From that Wasps team, Tom Voyce also deserves consideration. My team which will change hugely upon people criticizing it:

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Josh Lewsey
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Yannick Jauzion
11. Vincent Clerc
10. Jonny Sexton
9. Dmitri Yashvili
1. Cian Healy
2. William Servat
3. Pieter de Villiers
4. Fabien Pelous
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Neil Back
8. Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

Jerry Flannery, Sylvain Marconnet, Jean Baptiste Poux, Martin Johnson, Imanol Hairydonkey, Jean Baptiste Ellisalde, Ronan O'Gara, Will Greenwood

None were bad and certainly I've few differences. Greenwood a very interest 23 selection. And 2 backup props but not bad Snoop.
Must say now I'm considering Foley in as my 8. More I think the more my decisions change.
Other names from mates I asked were Austin Healey, Stringer, Ben Kay, Tim Stimpson and Vickery

 

[Big Ewis]

Jerry Flannery, Sylvain Marconnet, Jean Baptiste Poux, Martin Johnson, Imanol Hairydonkey, Jean Baptiste Ellisalde, Ronan O'Gara, Will Greenwood

nice bench...but there's a strange sort of typo, just can't get my toe on it though...

 

[McTallshort]

Who was the great french hooker played for Wasps?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Who was the great french hooker played for Wasps?

Raphael Ibanez.

Another excellent HCup hooker was Yannick Bru.

 

[McTallshort]

Ibanez! thanks Snoop. Got to say that Wasps team was good put us to the sword a few times. Shaw, Ibanez, Daglo Lewsey great players.