European Super Rugby XV

With the European Rugby season on a break and Super Rugby returning, we pick the best XV of European players to have featured in the Southern Hemisphere premier club competition. 

For a player to qualify for our XV, they must have made at least one appearance in Super Rugby and have qualified to play for European country by virtue of their ancestry or having been born in the country. 

1. Peter Clohessy (Reds, Ireland)

Nicknamed 'The Claw', Peter Clohessy joined the Queensland Reds after receiving an enormous 8-month ban for stamping Olivier Roumat during the 1996 Five Nations.

The ban didn't cover Super Rugby so the Irish International joined the Reds ahead of the 1997 Super 12 season. 

Realistically, Clohessy could have made our team on either side of the front row, having played loosehead and tighthead at test level during his 54 appearances. 

Notable Mentions: Tom Court and Max Lahiff

2. Jaba Bregvadze (Sunwolves, Georgia)

The Georgian hooker, who has played over 50 test caps for his country, is one of the few hookers from Europe to play Super Rugby.

The veteran hooker was added to the Sunwolves squad alongside fellow countryman Nikoloz Khatiashvili to sure up the Japanese side's scrum.

He has certainly done that and more in his debut season with the side.

3. Matt Stevens (Sharks, England)

The former England and Lions prop joined the Sharks for the 2015 Super Rugby season following his time at Saracens.

The two-time Lions tourist was born in Durban but qualified through his English parents to play for England.

His ability to play either side of the scrum was a big boost to the Sharks and added vast experience to the side. 

Notable mentions: Nikoloz Khatiashvili, Jamie Hagan and Oliver Jager. 

4. Geoff Parling (Rebels, England)

Parling became the latest high profile Rebels signings at the start of the 2018 season.

Like Stevens, Parling represented both England and the British and Irish Lions before joining a Super Rugby side.

Parling has been a handy addition to the Rebels squad, who are currently enjoying one of their most successful seasons in the competition.

Notable mention: Matt Symons

5. Murray Douglas (Rebels and Hurricanes, Scotland)

The Scottish born second rower has made a name for being a hard-working forward who is more than capable of playing blindside flank.

Douglas started his Super Rugby career with the Melbourne Rebels before moving New Zealand where he impressed with Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup before signing with the Hurricanes.

Notable mention: Dominic Day

6. Brad Shields (Hurricanes, England)

A Hurricanes centurion, Brad Shields has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes and helped the side winning the Super Rugby title in 2016.

His efforts with the Wellington-based side saw him earn a test debut with England during the June Tests against South Africa. 

Notable mention: Micheal Lipman

7. John Hardie (Highlanders, Scotland)

Scotland International John Hardie beats England and Lions flanker James Haskell to a spot in the side purely on the fact that Hardie spent 5 years and made over 50 appearances for the Highlanders in the competition.

While Haskell made 12 appearances for the Highlanders during his time at the side.

8. Gareth Delve (Rebels, Wales)

Gareth Delve is a legend at the Melbourne Rebels having captained the Rebels becoming the first overseas player to captain an Australian Super Rugby side.

The Welsh International was part of the first Rebels squad to feature in Super Rugby and went on to make over 40 appearances for the side. 

9. Frederic Michalak (Sharks, France)

Michalak had two stints with the Sharks in between 2008 and 2012 helping the side to the Super Rugby final in 2012.

The French international mostly played flyhalf for the Durban-based side but his versatility was vital to the Sharks making the final in 2012.

Notable mention: Isaac Boss

10. Gregor Townsend (Sharks, Scotland)

Townsend joined the Sharks following the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The former Scottish International only spent one season at the Sharks featuring in 9 of the Sharks 11 matches that season.

Notable mention: Andy Goode

11. Sean Maitland (Crusaders, Scotland)

The New Zealand born winger made 54 appearances for the Crusaders scoring 23 tries for the Canterbury-based side.

Maitland starred in his debut season with the side in 2008 as his side went on to win the competition before repeating the feat in 2011. 

12. Piers Francis (Blues, England)

Francis was a regular starter for the Blues during his time his the Auckland based side.

The England international played at flyhalf and inside centre but was particularly successful in the latter position.

Francis debuted for England in 2017 before joining Northampton Saints.

13. Huw Jones (Stormers, Scotland)

Jones made his way into the Stormers squad following impressive showings for Varsity Cup side Ikey Tigers  in 2014 before starring in the Currie Cup for Western Province that same year.

He made his Super Rugby debut the following year before being a surprise inclusion in the Scotland squad in 2016.

Jones scored 5 tries in 23 appearances during his time with the Stormers.

14. Clement Poitrenaud (Sharks, France)

Poitrenaud was brought to the Sharks ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season to assist the development of the Sharks youngsters.

He spent most of his career at fullback winning three Six Nations titles and featured in two World Cups.

15. Danny Cipriani (Rebels, England)

Cipriani became the first England international player to join an Australian Super Rugby team and went on to play 19 matches for the Melbourne Rebels and scored over 120 points.

He rejoined Sale Sharks after his two-year stint with the Rebels.