Fancy adding to your festive spirit while possibly taking a quick breather from the day and all that comes with it? Check out Planet Rugby’s Christmas XV of 2026.
Yet again, it was an interesting selection, but we have settled on our line-up for the fixture at Kings-holm with Warren Garland in charge and Joy Neville on the whistle.
Merry Christmas from our team of writers!
15 Santa Carreras: Taking the jersey from Baltazar Amaya takes some doing, but a combination of keeping things fresh and the Argentina star’s form meant we simply had to make some room for Santi Carreras on our plate. Another challenger to his shirt was Red Roses full-back Emma Sing, but there is recognition of sorts on our left wing.
14 Ollie Sleigh-tholme: A jersey switch this year for the Northampton Saint as he gets the nod ahead of Angelo Davids, Regan Grace and last December’s number 14 occupant, Gabriel Ibitoye. Hopefully, Sleightholme is set to enjoy an injury-free 2026, as this year was significantly interrupted for the powerful England international finisher.
13 Henry Slade: There was no budging the England and Exeter centre, and he double wrapped this shirt with a game-winning performance for his club in their Prem win over Saracens last Saturday. Yet again, Oscar Beard comes close, while Will Joseph was also in the conversation, but we gave a nod to the Merry Xmas Everybody song here.
12 Jérémy Tinsel: A newcomer at inside centre as D’Angelo Leuila finds his shirt pinched by Jérémy Sinzelle. A decent play on the Toulon star’s surname, we thought here.
11 Thomas Carol: With Sleightholme moving across to No.14 that left a spot open in jersey 11, and it goes to Pau wing Carol. Ulster’s Jacob Stocking-dale was considered.
10 Orlando Bailey-s: Who doesn’t love a Baileys, whether it is on its own or slipped into a hot chocolate? Leicester’s Orlando retains his jersey from 2024 as he is preferred over Red Roses World Cup-winning fly-half Holly Aitchison and the hugely experienced All Blacks number 10 Beauden Carrot (we heard this one from The Rugby Guy).
9 Ben White: The retirement (eventually) of Wallaby Nic freed up a place at number nine, and while there were cases to select one of Black Ferns’ Maia Joseph and Will Port-er (Harlequins), we have decided to stick with White, but the Ben variety. The Scotland and Toulon scrum-half has had a great season, and this is the icingon the cake for him.
The forwards
8 Jeandré Rudolph: How could we not retain Rudolph? Zach Myrrh-cer was a late shout, but it had to be the Bulls’ number eight who has been rock solid during 2026.
7 Tom ‘turkey’ Curry: No real competitors to Tom this year, other than, of course, his twin brother, Ben. If you can think of other opensides, let us know in the comments.
6 Miracle Fai’ilagi: There were a few fresh options here, such as Piper Duck (Australia), Grace Moore (Ireland) and Bath youngster George ‘all the T(r)immins’. There was also Tom Willis if we wanted to pay homage to the great Die Hard, but the Moana Pasifika flanker is retained in reference to the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street.
5 Dave Ribbons: A change at lock here as a four-way battle sees Emmanuel Meafou have his shirt ripped from his grasp by Ribbans. Adam Beard and Sam Slade were once again in the running, but it is the in-form Toulon second-rower who is our first engine room inclusion, going one better than last year after coming so close in 2024.
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4 Hugh Wizzard: It is a brand new partnership as Wallabies giant Nick Frost is replaced in our lock combination by Saracens workhorse Tizard. A tweak of his surname to reference ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’, this ever-improving English forward also edges past Joe (Re)Joyce of Connacht to complete our lock pairing.
3 Glory Aiono Samuelu: Clara Joyeaux ‘Noel’ drops out for another prop of the women’s game. The retired Owen Franks-incense might have made it in years gone by.
2 Dan Frost: There were plenty of hookers in contention for our two jersey that was held by Brodie McAlister in homage of the great Home Alone films. Sam Scarfe and Ethan Candy-Caine were other contenders, but with Nick losing his jersey at lock, we felt at least one Frost had to make the cut. Step forward, in-form Bath hooker, Dan.
1 Angus Bell: Last but by no means least, our final change to last year’s team sees Moana Pasifika prop Abraham ‘North’ Pole left out in the cold as we settle on Australia and Ulster’s new arrival Bell as our loosehead. That completes our Festive XV for 2026. We’d love to hear your shouts at rugby’s other festive-themed names below.
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