Saints stars North and Corbisiero named in world team of the year

They are the only players currently playing in the Aviva Premiership to make it into the line-up, which includes seven men from New Zealand.

North and Corbisiero have been rewarded for a fine 12 months, with their performances for the British & Irish Lions during the summer a particular highlight.

The Wales wing and the England prop propelled the Lions to a 2-1 Test series victory against Australia.

North scored two tries in those three Test matches, while Corbisiero also chipped in with a crucial one in the decisive final game.

And both have gone on to enjoy impressive starts to their Saints careers after joining from Scarlets and London Irish respectively.

World XV of the year: Halfpenny; B Smith, C Smith, Fofana, North; Cruden, A Smith; Corbisiero, du Plessis, A Jones, Etzebeth, Whitelock, Messam, Warburton, Read.