ESPN have come up with their most in form players in world rugby, and put them in a depth chart. We're not sure what they think a depth chart is, but listing the best players in alphabetical order when they aren't on the same team doesn't really get the point across.
They've picked the four most in form players in every position and come up with a list of 60 form players. The good news? Ireland have the second most representatives on the list with nine. The bad? We're ten behind New Zealand in first.
There are some strange selections in the list, but we can't agree with the Irish that are included. Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray are the Irish backs.
Jamie Heaslip is the sole Northern Hemisphere No.8 included with Kieran Read, Duane Vermuelen and Warren Whiteley of the Lions who is having a big Super Rugby season. Heaslip's tour de force performance against Scotland gives him the nod over the likes of Parisse and Lobbe. He's joined in the pack by Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Paul O'Connell and Cian Healy.
We're not saying this is correct, because we think Cian Healy is one of the best looseheads in the world. But he hasn't been back from injury long enough to be included here.
The only other Northern Hemisphere representatives are four English players, six Welsh and a sole Scot. France and Italy are completely excluded.
There are no Top 14 players dominating for Clermont or Toulon included at all. You can check out the strange list here ESPN depth chart
Photo Credit Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
See Also: Which Ireland Would Be In Contention For The World XV?
