Who's Your NH Team of the Season?

A number of teams across the three leagues have performed exceptionally well this season. Some of them in the limelight are obvious candidates, others less so. There's a few games to go in the regular season, with playoff places at stake across the Premiership, Pro 12 and Top 14.

Some are fighting on two fronts, with European honours at stake, or qualification for next season.

Some have managed against the odds, salary cap, squad depth to progress much further than expected.

Who would you vote for and why?

My list includes Glasgow, Clermont, Exeter, Leicester, Edinburgh, Leinster and Montpellier. I might include Newcastle yet if they manage to stay up. You might pick someone different.

Cast your vote, or suggest other teams for inclusion. It's an open poll so you can nominate a team now, change your mind and pick someone else, until the last ball is kicked, fumbled, caught or touched down.

Don't understand why you wouldn't include Ulster but have included Leicester - who we knocked out of the HC with a 35 point win and are now in the semi-finals. Still not out of the Rabo playoffs either.

No vote from me.

I voted for Leinster. Having an outstanding season, relentless quality.

Nice to see people putting Edinburgh and Glasgow up for these. Glasgow excellent in the league but possibly should have done better in the group stages of the HC, and Edinburgh, as good in the HC as they have been bad in the Rabo12. Deserved nominations but Leinster have set the bar this season.

Can I wait until the season is actually over?

Artful_Dodger wrote:Don't understand why you wouldn't include Ulster but have included Leicester - who we knocked out of the HC with a 35 point win and are now in the semi-finals. Still not out of the Rabo playoffs either.

No vote from me.

Eh, could I suggest that you read the text again? I said that I was suggesting my own picks, (as opposed to guessing yours or anyone else's) and invited others to put up their own. So if you want to put them forward, just say so.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Can I wait until the season is actually over?

Of course you can. You can wait until next September if you like. Take your time. You can nominate now, you can change your mind in five minutes time or five weeks time.

I provisionally say Edinburgh, despite the Rabo screw ups, but Exeter can still win the Premiership and if they manage that then they deserve the award. Also, no offence to Tigers but how are they in the running but Quins are not? Or are we being punished because the first part of the season, when we were in untouchable form, was affected by the RWC? We had a multitude of injuries in that good part of the season, a small squad with few recognised stars, bouncing back at last from Bloodgate and despite the lows we are 6 points clear in the AP and won a famous victory in Toulouse before the admitted capitulation to Toulon. I don't think we are the club of the year but we surely are as deserving as others on that list?

ChequeredJersey wrote:I provisionally say Edinburgh, despite the Rabo screw ups, but Exeter can still win the Premiership and if they manage that then they deserve the award. Also, no offence to Tigers but how are they in the running but Quins are not? Or are we being punished because the first part of the season, when we were in untouchable form, was affected by the RWC? We had a multitude of injuries in that good part of the season, a small squad with few recognised stars, bouncing back at last from Bloodgate and despite the lows we are 6 points clear in the AP and won a famous victory in Toulouse before the admitted capitulation to Toulon. I don't think we are the club of the year but we surely are as deserving as others on that list?

So you'd like to include Harlequins then?

I think it would be fair to.

Dont really see how Tigers should be in there. They arent top of the league and got dumped out of europe after being hammered twice away from home and couldnt BP Aironi.

They have done well since then but to be honest thats the least you would expect of them. From the home nations leagues

Leinster
Ulster
Glasgow
harlequins
Exeter
Edinburgh

are teams that have exceeded or at the very least surprised a few people. Two standout candidates are leinster (for being the best in europe again) and Exeter for being in contention for the play offs.

Can't tell till the end of the season. Leinster have played the fanciest rugby, but they could still end up with no silverware. And given the squad they have, that would be considered a failure.

My team of the season is Exeter I'd have to say. A meteoric rise.

Great seasons for Treviso and Connacht also. Ulster and Edinburgh both deserve nomination for reaching the Heineken Cup semi-final- they've put the noses of Munster, Leicester Tigers and Toulouse out of joint on the way.

I've got to say, I'm totally baffled to see you've included Leicester in your shortlist. You expect them to be in the pursuit of honours on two fronts at this time of year, but they were twice outclassed by better teams on the road in Europe. In many ways Munster have had a better season. Like Leicester they're only fighting on one front now, but at least they put up a stronger European showing.

Oh and I'd have Ulster in the running too for the HC exploits.

Yeah v impressive by the Italian clubs this season too, tbf.

Apologies. Have just discovered that lowly posters can't edit polls, so perhaps one of the moderators might add Ulster and Harlequins to the list.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Yeah v impressive by the Italian clubs this season too, tbf.

Aironi have had an impressive season? For getting axed?

I flagged your post to the moderators Pot, but only because of your request for someone to edit your poll. Just in case you were wondering why someones reported it! Not for any malevolent reason

It would be cool if we could thrash out a shortlist and have the definitive vote at the end of the season. Too many runners and riders right now to be honest.

I they beat Munster though didn't they? Didn't know they'd been axed

Ulster and Quins added to the poll.

Yeah. If Exeter win the AP, or Edinburgh the HEC then it puts the list as it stands in a new light

Thanks. If there's lots of nominees over the next while, I'm sure it'll be easy to whittle it down.

Leinster for living up to their own high standards.

Exeter for surprising a lot of folk and still being in the race for the play-offs at this stage in the season.

I went for Exeter cos everyone loves an underdog.

Exeter team of the season for me - when all factors are taken into account. They have made HC qualification having been in the Jeff for just 2 years.

That's amazing progress. The club also seems to be built on solid foundations.

Leinster for the rugby porno. No matter what happens.

Treviso for getting stronger year on year.

I'm going with the Ospreys, though I'm biased.

We have beaten Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Blues, Edinburgh home AND away in the league, and all that despite losing Mike Phillips, James Hook, Marty Holah, Lee Bryne, Craig Mitchell and many others at the end of last season.

Not only have we done very well under the circumstances but this season we have brought through several new international players including openside Justin Tipuric, and scrum half Rhys Webb, and loose head Ryan Bevington.

We have also made a lot of progress in developing many young players such as Luke Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Eli Walker, Ross Jones, Hanno Dirksen, Jo Rees, and James King.

I think if you look at what could of happened this season, and what did actually happen we have done very well.

Sadly this season has been marred by a home European loss to Saracens which happened as a result of some very quizzical refereeing decisions in the scrum and an away draw in Treviso when we simply didn't turn up.

I am totaly biased but I went for Quins. 14 (?) wins on the bounce and away wins at Toulouse, Tigers and Saracens so far with a very small squad full of academy boys, we also have the best EQ player percentage of the league.

After that i'd go with Exeter, what they've achieved with a team on unknowns is amazing.

AlynDavies wrote:I'm going with the Ospreys, though I'm biased.

We have beaten Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Blues, Edinburgh home AND away in the league, and all that despite losing Mike Phillips, James Hook, Marty Holah, Lee Bryne, Craig Mitchell and many others at the end of last season.

Not only have we done very well under the circumstances but this season we have brought through several new international players including openside Justin Tipuric, and scrum half Rhys Webb, and loose head Ryan Bevington.

We have also made a lot of progress in developing many young players such as Luke Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Eli Walker, Ross Jones, Hanno Dirksen, Jo Rees, and James King.

I think if you look at what could of happened this season, and what did actually happen we have done very well.

Sadly this season has been marred by a home European loss to Saracens which happened as a result of some very quizzical refereeing decisions in the scrum and an away draw in Treviso when we simply didn't turn up.

You make some good points and then spoil it all in the last paragraph.

AlynDavies wrote:I'm going with the Ospreys, though I'm biased.

We have beaten Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Blues, Edinburgh home AND away in the league, and all that despite losing Mike Phillips, James Hook, Marty Holah, Lee Bryne, Craig Mitchell and many others at the end of last season.

Not only have we done very well under the circumstances but this season we have brought through several new international players including openside Justin Tipuric, and scrum half Rhys Webb, and loose head Ryan Bevington.

We have also made a lot of progress in developing many young players such as Luke Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Eli Walker, Ross Jones, Hanno Dirksen, Jo Rees, and James King.

I think if you look at what could of happened this season, and what did actually happen we have done very well.

Sadly this season has been marred by a home European loss to Saracens which happened as a result of some very quizzical refereeing decisions in the scrum and an away draw in Treviso when we simply didn't turn up.

Quizzical refereeing and charge down tries...! Shame as this Ospreys team have some very exciting players as well as one of the best scrums in Europe.

That said Exeter have been marvellous, Leinster consistent, Tigers have turned their fortunes from poor to the best team in their league.

Harlequins great season playing the best rugby

Leinster are my choice as they are the only team with the chance of the double. Despite losing home and away to the Ospreys

I'd love to vote Ulster... but I can't.

Leinster are a different class to everyone else right now and are playing mindblowing rugby, even better than last year.

Leinster for me .

Standulstermen wrote:Dont really see how Tigers should be in there. They arent top of the league and got dumped out of europe after being hammered twice away from home and couldnt BP Aironi.

They have done well since then but to be honest thats the least you would expect of them. From the home nations leagues

Leinster
Ulster
Glasgow
harlequins
Exeter
Edinburgh

are teams that have exceeded or at the very least surprised a few people. Two standout candidates are leinster (for being the best in europe again) and Exeter for being in contention for the play offs.

I voted for the Tigers, A. Because i'm biased and B. no other team has come from 12 position in the league up to second, that's an amazing turn around.

Only Leinster,Harlequins,Ulster,Clermont and Exeter deserve to be on the list in my opinion.

If you have the likes of Leicester,Edinburgh and Glasgow surely Toulon and Saracens should be in there?

Leicester are fighting for an AP title again. What a surprise! Hardly deserves praise. They didn't make the HC quarter finals.


Edinburgh have failed miserably in the Pro12. Glasgow failed miserably in the HC.


Top 14 - Clermont
AP - Exeter
Pro12 - Ulster

My vote goes to Clermont as they are looking in good form for the double.

Alyndavies just laughable.

So one nomination for Ospreys. Any others?

London Wasps if we somehow survive relegation!

Retirements & virtually the whole first team injured for the majority of the season. I think Joe Simpson said on ESPN this weekend we have had 15 operations on players this season!
Club up for sale.
The youngsters have come through & done a cracking job - real backs against the wall stuff.
8 U-20s in the first team pushed Biarritz to within 3 points.

I have gone for Ulster, they have come along in leaps and bounds and are in with a great shout of winning the HC after coming out of a very tough group and beating Munster at home.

Finally they are starting to show what they have been promising to show for a few seasons. I think that they will also be up there next season.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Don't understand why you wouldn't include Ulster but have included Leicester - who we knocked out of the HC with a 35 point win and are now in the semi-finals. Still not out of the Rabo playoffs either.

No vote from me.

Aww, bless

I would suggest Leicester have been included because they lost 5 of their first 6 games while 10 of their first team were away at the RWC and were 2nd bottom of the Prem. After the RWC they have won 13 of 14 league matches and are now 2nd in the Prem. For that run they deserve a mention imo.

Their failing in the HC was in not garnering enough BPs – they had the same win/loss record as ASM and Ulster.

Leinster right now but chances are they will lose to Clermont. Whichever team out of Ulster or Edinburgh make the final will be the team of the year if you ask me. I like Clermont but because of their big budget I think other teams deserve it more.

Leinsterbaby the problem with Leinster is that so far you've had the easiest route in the HC, Clermont will be your first true test in my opinion.

With your group and quarter final a semi final was virtually expected in my opinion.

Hound of Harrow I love the irony.

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Don't understand why you wouldn't include Ulster but have included Leicester - who we knocked out of the HC with a 35 point win and are now in the semi-finals. Still not out of the Rabo playoffs either.

No vote from me.

Aww, bless

I would suggest Leicester have been included because they lost 5 of their first 6 games while 10 of their first team were away at the RWC and were 2nd bottom of the Prem. After the RWC they have won 13 of 14 league matches and are now 2nd in the Prem. For that run they deserve a mention imo.

Their failing in the HC was in not garnering enough BPs – they had the same win/loss record as ASM and Ulster.

Disagree- For a club that has won back to back HC's in the past and see's the HC as their main tournament going out in the groups whilst failing to get TBP's against Aironi is diabolical. 10 players away at the RWC? So did everybody else, Ulster had Court, Best, Afoa, Muller, Ferris, Pienaar, Trimble, Wallace and Danielli there - thats 9 of the first choice team from last season.

*Aside from Afoa who replaced BJ Botha

I think Exeter are definatly the team. Everyone expected Leinster to be where they are that doesn't make them the team of the season.

Many wondered if Exeter would suffer second season blues. Insteaded they topped the toughest group in the Amlin, are assured HC next year and could still make the play-offs

Leinsters only improvement is they are 1st instead of Second hardly team of the season. The best yes but that is not who gets the award

Artful Dodger you can hardly blame Leicester fans for continually mentioning their players missing during the world cup. It's what they do and they did miss a lot.

I think it was more like 13 players at the world cup for Leicester.

They missed about 22 players against Saracens in the AP game albeit we had about 15 out.

I do agree that Ulster have outperformed Leicester this season but Leicester deserve a tiny bit of credit for their domestic form.

Brendan wrote:I think Exeter are definatly the team. Everyone expected Leinster to be where they are that doesn't make them the team of the season.

Many wondered if Exeter would suffer second season blues. Insteaded they topped the toughest group in the Amlin, are assured HC next year and could still make the play-offs

Leinsters only improvement is they are 1st instead of Second hardly team of the season. The best yes but that is not who gets the award

Well, if the award is for the most improved team then i'll take your point but why can't the best team win the team of the year....?

For the record, i haven't voted yet.

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Don't understand why you wouldn't include Ulster but have included Leicester - who we knocked out of the HC with a 35 point win and are now in the semi-finals. Still not out of the Rabo playoffs either.

No vote from me.

Aww, bless

I would suggest Leicester have been included because they lost 5 of their first 6 games while 10 of their first team were away at the RWC and were 2nd bottom of the Prem. After the RWC they have won 13 of 14 league matches and are now 2nd in the Prem. For that run they deserve a mention imo.

Their failing in the HC was in not garnering enough BPs – they had the same win/loss record as ASM and Ulster.

I would see Leicester as a big club, like Leinster, Toulouse etc. A successful season for these clubs is finishing the season competing in the latter stages of both the Heineken Cup and the league. Surely any kind of group stage exit for Leicester means the season has to be regarded as a failure?

Whatever they've done in their league, when it comes to the best tournament in Europe they haven't achieved their goals. They've fallen short. Thats why I'm so confused at the people saying it's been a successful year for them.

Mickado wrote:

Brendan wrote:I think Exeter are definatly the team. Everyone expected Leinster to be where they are that doesn't make them the team of the season.

Many wondered if Exeter would suffer second season blues. Insteaded they topped the toughest group in the Amlin, are assured HC next year and could still make the play-offs

Leinsters only improvement is they are 1st instead of Second hardly team of the season. The best yes but that is not who gets the award

Well, if the award is for the most improved team then i'll take your point but why can't the best team win the team of the year....?

For the record, i haven't voted yet.

If It was for the best NH team it could only really be four teams which would be the 4 playoff winners as they saw it through to the end and not fell at the last hurdle The HC winners and possibly the Amlin but only if they made the league playoffs and didn't get in via the HC.

On leicster to be fair they would have got out of any other group and are close to being top and would be suprised if they win the prem

The thing is nearly every team in the Pro12 lost lots of players to the RWC because your internationals are not spread across so many teams. The league therefore continues on a more level playing field with second string players being used.

Oh hang on, the Pro12 teams mainly use second string players in the league anyway, so not really an argument.

Tigers and Saints provided over half the England RWC squad and it showed in their league results. To make up such a gap in the Prem really is quite an achievement.

I can assure you that the no. 1 priority for any Prem team is to avoid relegation. Anything after that is an aspiration Yes, Tigers fell short of what they would expect to achieve in the HC but they were in the group of death.

For consistency across league and HC Leinster and Clermont stand out.

Exeter get the over achievers award.

Excellent post
Straight to the nub of it all. Great teams perform well in their league and in the HC. Even with up to 60/70% of their squad been taken away for Internationals for a large part of it all.

Tigers, Leinster, Wasps, Munster & Toulouse - have done it for years.

Here's to Wasps surviving this season and coming back as a Jeff & European Super-Power before long.

Ye need the likes of this guy. Any rugby-mad miilionaire geezer, would be crazy not to take this prime oppurtunity. They would be buying into an even better brand than Bath, imo.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/bath/8620428.stm

I'll give you a shout when I win the Euro-Millions.

Believe.

Luckily, we're not bound by setting the standard as to who came first in their league, or who has also played in the European Cup.

It could be a team who been doggedly performing across the season, winning their matches quietly, and making their way up the league into the playoffs - and all done without a superstar list of players, or a Croesus-like owner behind them.

The season ain't over yet, of course.

Ospreys and vote cancellation option added

rugbydreamer wrote:Ospreys and vote cancellation option added

Cheers. Don't see the Ospreys in the list though - are they there but you don't really know it? Bit like their league season, I suppose.

hmmmm. will try again, hold on.

better?

Would have voted for Ospreys as despite being cack they have done pretty well considering.