SECOND-ROW
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Vui (Bristol Bears)
What he said:
HILL & VUI: “Vui has been out there more than anyone and Hill has made a dent in try-scoring charts, with eight. As a pair, they come first and second on line-out wins.”
RUCK’s alternative picks: Maro Itoje (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
BACK-ROW
Jannes Kirsten (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Willis (Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
What he said:
KIRSTEN: “Every week he clatters things in defence, carries so hard and wins the contact every time.”
WILLIS: “He has twice as many turnovers as his nearest competitor, it makes the selection a simple one in amongst some great players.”
SIMMONDS: “Ten tries in the bank and a regular at the top of the charts for carries, metres made, defenders beaten, clean breaks.”
RUCK’s alternative picks: Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Jake Polledri (Gloucester Rugby), Nathan Hughes (Bristol Bears)