Blindside flanker: John Barclay (Scotland)
Barclay has led from the front for the Scots the Autumn with big tackles and even the off turnover. When he crossed the whitewash for a try against Australia it was well deserved.
Openside flanker: Sam Cane (New Zealand)
It has taken a couple of years for Cane to fill the Richie McCaw shoes, sizeable as they were, but he has finally done so with several unflinching displays. Always supplies a tackling masterclass.
Number eight: Sam Simmonds (England)
Supposedly not big enough to play No8 at Test level but this was an excellent first international start against Samoa. Not the largest but he is slippery and was among England’s best carriers. We’ll see him again during the Six Nations.