"Billy Twelve-Xmas Trees" Ultimate XV: Christmas Edition - Ruck
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“Billy Twelve-Xmas Trees” Ultimate XV: Christmas Edition

19 December 2023
Rugby Rucker

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We are just six days away from Christmas, and the excitement is building across the world for the big man to come climbing down the chimney, and leave presents under the tree.

In the spirit of the festive season, we’ve attempted to piece together one of our Ultimate XVs, using players with names associated with Christmas time. Whilst some players have fallen seamlessly into place, other names take a bit of lee-way with a rather forced Christmas pun. Regardless, it’s been a fun challenge to build this squad of Christmas stars, in the similar style to our other Ultimate XV articles.

So, just before Santa Claus comes to town, here is RUCK’s Ultimate Christmas XV!

BACK THREE

15. Dan King – Scotland U20s / Heriot’s Rugby

Image Credit: Scottish Rugby

14. Thomas Carol – Section Paloise

11. Cameron Shepard – Australia / Honda Heat

CENTRES

13. Henry Slade (Christmas Band) – England / Exeter Chiefs

Winning Penalty Kick from Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs to win the game with the last kick of the game during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 19th Nov 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

12. Billy Twelve-(Christmas)-trees – England (2012-15) / Ealing Trailfinders

Billy Twelvetrees of Gloucester Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 28th January 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

HALFBACKS

10. Elinor Snowsill – Wales / Bristol Bears Women

9. Danny (Tender Loving) Care – England / Harlequins

Danny Care of Harlequins drives forwards during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop, London on 8 January 2023 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

FRONT ROW

1. Angel Mulu – New Zealand / Chiefs Manawa

2. Robin McBryde – Wales (1994-05) / British & Irish Lions (2001) / Llanelli

3. Dan Cole (Coal) – England / Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers player Dan Cole during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Leicester Tigers and London Irish on the first midweek round of matches as part of the Return to Rugby campaign as rugby continues after COVID 19 lockdown at Welford Road on 26 Aug. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK/Gallagher

LOCKS

4. Fairy Heatlie – South Africa (1896 – 1903) / Western Province (1896 – 1910)

Image Credit: Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame

5. James Bell – Scotland / Leigh Centurions (Rugby League)

BACK ROW

6. Eric Snow – New Zealand (1928-29) / Nelson Province (1918-30)

Image Credit: Archives New Zealand

7. Ethan Sleigh – Glasgow High Kelvinside

Image Credit: GHK Rugby

8. Rudolf Straeuli – South Africa (1994-95) / Transvaal (1993-96)

REPLACEMENTS (A Springbok approved 7-1 Split)

16. Robin Hislop – Saracens

17. Jesus Felipe Collado – Spain / Sanitas Alcobendas Rugby

18. Louis Mary (Jesus’ Mother) – US Dax Rugby Landes

19. Wiseman Kamanga – Griquas

20. Peter Winterbottom – England (1982-93) / British Lions (1983 1993) / Harlequins (1988-93)

21. (Saint) Nick Easter – England (2007-16) / Harlequins (2004-16)

22. David Ribbans – Toulon

23. Jonathan Joseph (Jesus’ Father)

HEAD COACH – Rowland Winter – Coventry / England U20s Counties