The Tier 2 Team of the Year

It is that time of the year to unbox your Christmas decorations and buy a pair of relaxed-fit trousers.

It is also the perfect time to pick the Tier 2 Team of the Year, and here are our picks.

But first, let me explain that:

- We took into account each player’s international and club season, with both having an impact on our final choices.

- Consistency was also taken into account, as some of those in contention for this XV might have had a couple of brilliant games, but barely played at all in 2024.

1. Eroni Mawi (Fiji / Saracens) – 6

The 28-year-old helped Fiji win the 2024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and conquer Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the first time, putting up an incredible shift from the scrum.

2. Vano Karkadze (Georgia / Montpellier HRSC) – 6

In 2024, Vano Karkadze finally became the true owner of the Lelos' No 2 shirt, collecting a total of nine caps and one try. Karkadze’s role at Montpellier has changed, becoming a starter and a vital cog of the Top 14 side.

3. Ben Tameifuna (Tonga / Union Bordeaux-Bègles) – 7

Like a fine wine, Ben Tameifuna just keeps getting better with age, as the tighthead prop had a fantastic club season for Tonga and the 2024 Top 14 runners-up Bordeaux-Bègles. While Tonga didn’t win any Test matches in 2024, Tameifuna made the Ikale Tahi a stronger team when he was on the pitch.

4. José Madeira (Portugal / FC Grenoble) – 7

One of Portugal’s finest enforcers, Madeira held a 95 per cent tackle accuracy for club and nation, while also ranking highly in the turnovers. The utility forward has played a total of 26 games since January 2024.

5. Greg Peterson (USA / San Diego Legion) – 6

The United States of America had one of their best international seasons of the last five years, and Greg Peterson was one of the reasons why they did so well. The towering lock was a thorn in any opposition’s lineout, as demonstrated by his five steals against Portugal and Spain in the autumn.

6. Theo McFarland (Samoa / Saracens) – 8

Samoa’s Test match season was cut short, but in the few games they played fans were allowed to watch the Theo McFarland show take place. Blessed with the kind of magnetic power that attracts the ball, the blindside flanker has been a superstar for the Saracens, having scored three tries in 2024.

7. Nicolás Martins (Portugal / Soyaux-Angoulême and Montpellier HR) - 8

Saved SAXV from going down the Pro D2 and arose as one of Portugal’s leaders in just eight months. Shone bright at Murrayfield, finishing the game as the top tackler and jackler, showing why he is one of the Alphas of the Lobos wolfpack.

8. Beka Gorgadze (Georgia / Section Paloise) – 7

Georgia’s powerful No 8 has been a saving grace for Pau, putting to good use his skills as a ball carrier and a jumper. He totalled six tries for club and nation in 2024.

9. Frank Lomani (Fiji / Fijian Drua) – 9

Stellar Super Rugby Pacific season, bagging four tries in eight games, Frank Lomani was also brilliant on the Test scene, with that outing in Wales recorded as one of the best of the year.

10. Caleb Muntz (Fiji / Fijian Drua) – 7

Muntz’s club season started a bit later, as he only fully recovered from a knee injury in May, but what a shift he put, winning back the fly-half role in the Fiji setup. In his nine outings for the Flying Fijians, the stylistic baller scored 63 points, 19 of those noted against Wales. Three words for the fans: he is back!

11. Raffaele Storti (Portugal / AS Béziers-Hérault and Stade Français) – 8

The Portuguese flyer was ruthless in 2024, scoring 15 tries in 17 games, bringing the heat for AS Béziers-Hérault, Stade Français and Portugal.

12. Josua Tuisova (Fiji / Racing 92) – 6

Fetuli Paea, Pita Ahki and Josua Tuisova were the three contenders for inside centre of the season, but in the end, it was the Fijian taking the prize home. His two outings for the Flying Fijians came with a heavy dose of swatted-away tacklers while being one of the Racing 92 players in good form and showing their best at the French capital.

13. Iosefo Masi (Fiji / Fijian Drua) – 7

Masi’s 2024 season was nothing short of astonishing, resulting in Top 14's Lyon signing him for the next season. Didn’t play in the Autumn Nations Series but his three tries paved the way for Fiji’s successful Pacific Nations campaign.

14. Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia / Black Lion) – 7

An average of one try per game, that was Akaki Tabutsadze’s impact for Georgia, as the incandescent speedster finished with a total of 11 tries in the 2024 Test season. Unplayable at times.

15. Davit Niniashvili (Georgia / LOU) – 8

The best XV without Niniashvili isn’t a believable one, as the Georgian firecracker is one of those athletes who has the power to put his team on the right path. Be it against Australia, Italy, Japan or Portugal, Niniashvili was one of the best players on the pitch, always ready to launch and attack and catch any and everyone off-guard.