The pick of the forwards on show over the course of the season has underlined the primacy of the three best packs in the world: Ireland, France and South Africa.
It means that, for once, there is not a New Zealander in sight in my selection of a World XV pack – and, although Courtney Lawes came very close, no English. The Welsh, Scots, and Aussies also drew a blank.
THE BEST OF THE BEST ARE: 1 Andrew Porter (Ireland), 2 Julien Marchand (France), 3 Frans Malherbe (South Africa), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 6 Anthony Jelonch (France), 7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland), 8 Greg Aldritt (France).
