November Tests XV So Far

This weekend is the last full weekend of test rugby and following three jampacked weekends of Test rugby we pick our team of the month ahead of the weekend.

We have used our teams of the week from the previous three weekends to select our XV.

1. Steven Kitshoff - South Africa

The Springboks' red-headed loosehead prop has started all of South Africa's tests this November and despite not making any of three teams of the week, he a notable mention and just missed out on all three occasions.

 2. Guilhem Guirado - France

 

Guirado has been excellent in both of France's November Internationals scoring a try in both games against South Africa and Argentina. 

Guirado pips Ken Owens and Joe Taufete'e to a place in the side.

3. Frans Malherbe - South Africa

Malherbe was beaten to our team of the week just once so far this November with Tadgh Furlong beating the South African to a place in the side after his efforts against the All Blacks.

The Springbok tighthead as enjoyed a particular fine purple patch after struggling with injuries in the past.

4. Brodie Retallick - New Zealand

Retallick may have had a hiccup or two against Ireland but the busy lock still showed why he is one of the best in the business with a match-winning performance against England. 

5. James Ryan - Ireland

Ryan has been particularly impressive in his two games this November. He fronted up against a fired up Los Pumas pack and produced a fantastic performance against the All Blacks a week later. 

With those two matches, he has accumulated 35 carries and 33 tackles missing just one of his 34 attempted tackles.

6. Peter O'Mahony - Ireland

O'Mahony put in an absolute masterclass of a performance against the All Blacks off the back of a solid performance against the Pumas.

His efforts earn him a place over the extremely impressive Michael Leitch. 

7. Justin Tipuric - Wales 

Tipuric has been nothing short of sublime so far this November. He was superb against Scotland before he outperformed Michael Hooper and David Pocock as Wales ended a 13-game losing streak against the Wallabies.

8. Mark Wilson - England 

Wilson was the man of the match in England's win over the Springboks before putting in another superb performance against the All Blacks.

He did the same against Japan and has certainly made an impression on Eddie Jones. Wilson beats the Wallabies' David Pocock to the no.8 jersey.

9. Kieran Marmion - Ireland

Marmion has filled in for Conor Murray fantastically this November and was particularly solid against the All Blacks providing crisp service to his forwards and Sexton. 

He was impressive against Argentina scoring a try and assisting another. 

10. Jonathan Sexton - Ireland

Sexton controlled Ireland's attack against the All Blacks to secure a historic win and produced a similar performance against Los Pumas the week before.

He pips the Springboks' Handre Pollard to place in the side with Springbok having particularly good games against Scotland and France.

11. Jacob Stockdale - Ireland

Stockdale scored what proved to be the match-winner against the All Blacks last weekend and has been a thorn in the side of every defence he has faced this November making over 200 running metres this month.

12. Bundee Aki - Ireland 

Aki has consistently performed for Ireland this November and has been Ireland's go-to man for front foot ball making 55 carries with only Beauden Barrett matching in that stat.

Aki's consistency sees him beat Ryan Crotty to a place in the side while Gael Fickou's impressive display against Argentina wasn't enough to earn a place in the side.

13. Jonathan Davies - Wales

Fox has returned to test rugby following a long injury layoff and slotted straight back in and produced the kind of performances that saw him being named as the British and Irish Lions player of the Tour last year.

He has been excellent on defence and potent on attack and will look to continue that form against the Springboks this weekend.

14. Teddy Thomas - France

Thomas has been outstanding for France in their two games so far this November.

He scored a brace against Argentina and troubled the Springboks everytime he got the ball. 

Thomas has beaten 7 defenders, made 7 clean breaks and made 156 running metres in those two games. 

15. Stuart Hogg - Scotland

Hogg has sparked the Scottish attack life at key times for his side in his two matches against Fiji and South Africa.

The lively fullback has been outstanding in all facets of the game for Scotland since his early return from injury and will want to end the test season on a high against Argentina this weekend.