15. Drew Mitchell
Mitchell has developed into one of Toulon’s most potent weapons – and that is saying something given the star-studded backline that he is a part of. While wing Bryan Habana seems to be winding down his career in the south of France, Mitchell has gotten better with each season there.
His ability to pop up on someone’s shoulder to take an offload is second to none.
14. Noa Nakaitaci
Sitiveni Sivivatu might be gone from Clermont but Nakaitaci has more than made up for his absence with some dazzling breaks of his own. His unbelievable step to score against Munster is typical of what the wing is all about.
13. Rene Ranger
Montpellier are a hot mess at the moment and have been a complete disappointment so far this year… but we have still got to see Rene Rearrangering people on a regular basis in 2014. It is no surprise that the All Blacks wanted him to stay so badly back in 2013.
12. Matt Giteau
Like Mitchell, Giteau has improved each year he has been playing for Toulon. The duo have a highly bromantic relationship on Twitter that has spilled onto the field with spectacular results. They combined for one of the tries of the year in last season’s Heineken Cup.
11. Benito Masilevu
The Fijian sevens player is with Brive at the moment but he has lit up the Top 14 at times with some outrageous side-steps. He almost put Gael Fickou on his backside after that bamboozling run.
10. Jonny Wilkinson
Like Brian O’Driscoll, Wilkinson got to have his fairytale ending, and he absolutely deserved it. In his two last games as an out-half – the Heineken Cup and Top 14 finals – he was as dictatorial as ever, kicking drop goals in both.
He also got this ad made about him featuring his fervent Toulon fan club, which is cringeworthy or heartwarming depending on what you think of Wilko.
9. Jimmy Cowan
Cowan has been hibernating with Gloucester for the last couple of seasons but the World Cup-winning scrum-half has signed with the Blues with the hope of making one last push for the World Cup squad.
1. Alex Corbisiero
It is a shame that injury robbed Corbisiero of the chance to carry his Lions form onto the international stage but he was still an integral part of Northampton’s two final victories in 2014. It is a testament to the loosehead’s ability that despite almost missing the entire season, he was picked to start in the final of both the Premiership and the Challenge Cup.
2. Craig Burden
He may have only featured sparingly for Toulon, but they were arguably the hardest hitting cameos of 2014. Whenever Burden appeared for the galacticos, he wreaked havoc defensively.
3. Carl Hayman
Hayman has been one of the cornerstones of Toulon’s transformation from leaderless mercenaries to well-drilled winners. It says a lot about how highly he’s rated in France that although there is plenty of competition for his position, he is usually the first name on the team-sheet.
4. Johann Muller
Ulster might not have won anything during Muller’s time at Ravenhill but he was still a massive part of a highly consistent side that have been fighting on two fronts for the last four or five seasons. His reaction after their Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat said it all – that might have been one of Ulster’s best chances at silverware.
5. Brad Thorn
He has slowed down considerably from when he was one of the biggest nuisances in world rugby, but for longevity alone, he is making this team. The Leicester second row is turning 40 in February!
6. David Pocock
Like Corbisiero, Pocock has been robbed of the last few years through injury and now he spends more time chained to diggers than on the pitch. Still, when fit, he is one of the best poachers around so hopefully he gets back to full health in time for the World Cup.
7. Steffon Armitage
There is not much more you can say about Armitage at this stage. Since moving to Toulon, he has become one of the most effective back rows in the world. It really is surprising that Lancaster hasn’t demanded he return to England. That is the problem with picking your captain at the same position as one of the world’s best players.
8. CJ Stander
Probably getting ahead of myself by putting Stander in the side, but the way he finished 2014 would definitely pique the interest of many international coaches. He is one of the best battering rams around when a close-range try needs to be scored but he has also showed searing pace on occasions too. Apparently he becomes eligible for Ireland the day before the World Cup final.
Who would you put in your best non-international XV?
Allstars, aces and The Undertaker: The sporting year in 15 numbers
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