Rough call for the World Rugby Player of the Year.
No Johnny Sexton but his Irish half-back partner gets the nod.
Back in November,
Murray was presented with the 'World Player of the Year' award at the Midol 'Rugby Oscars'. Readers of Midi Olympique and Rugbyrama, their website, voted the Munster and Ireland scrum-half as the best player in the world.
https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/conor-murray-world-player-year-award-183867
That was just after the November internationals got underway. Murray missed out on that Test match window as he was still recovering from a neck injury.
However, his deeds in helping Ireland to a Grand Slam and a Test Series win in Australia, have seen him pip South Africa's Faf du Klerk to the No.9 spot in Midi Olympique's end of year 'Best XV'.
There are seven Ireland players included in the French rugby bible's world selection, but no Sexton. The Irish players included are:
- Cian Healy
- Tadhg Furlong
- Peter O'Mahony
- CJ Stander
- Conor Murray
- Jacob Stockdale
- Garry Ringrose
Healy, Furlong and O'Mahony have made most outlets and pundits' Team of the Year selections, while Stander, Ringrose and Stockdale all merit their places here. It is surprising to look at such an XV and not see Sexton.
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett edged Sexton out here for the No.10 jersey. That is a reversal of the World Rugby Player of the Year standings. Last month, Sexton finished ahead of Barrett, with Rieko Ioane and du Klerk following.
Some best 15 selections have seen Sexton and Barrett (at fullback) both accommodated but the Midi team wanted Australia's Israel Folau at 15 so Sexton was bumped out. The other big call is James Ryan missing out in the second row. All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick get the shout there.
Two more Kiwis, Ardie Savea and Ryan Crotty get the openside and inside centre shouts but the likes of Dan Leavy and Bundee Aki must have been close. Ioane is in the No.14 jersey while, again, Ireland's Keith Earls can consider himself unlucky to miss out.
MIDI OLYMPIQUE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Seven inclusions in a world's best XV and still we're not happy.
Irish rugby is in a good place heading into this whopper year.
WATCH THE HOUSE OF RUGBY AWARDS HERE:
https://youtu.be/mYa3FOvd-84
