4. Harry Randall (England and Bristol Bears)
Our choice to distribute quick-ball throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics is Harry Randall. The Bristol Bears scrum half has been on the England fringes in recent years, and brings an added edge of dynamism to the number nine jersey. Able to snipe through the narrowest of gaps, Randall sells a dummy like a con-artist, and of course packs some breathtaking pace to fire him off into the back-field. Hopefully England fans will see more of Randall in the upcoming Six Nations, with a code change looking like a viable option if Randall so wished.
5. Marcus Smith (England and Harlequins)
Standing at first receiver is Marcus Smith, who would tear teams sevens apart in more ways than one. Firstly, Smith possess unnatural speed, and can skip his way round tackle attempts with neat displays of footwork. Secondly, Smith is fearless when carrying the ball high to the defence, and puts his body on the line when drawing in defenders, before shipping out a pass to send his supporting runner through to score. And thirdly, Smith’s kicking game has improved from open play, with chip and chase tries against the likes of Wales and Chile, presenting this in recent England run-outs.
6. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales and Gloucester Rugby)
One of the quickest men in international rugby, the secret has long been out about the aptly nicknamed ‘Rees-Lightning’. Having lit up the touchlines up and down the Premeirship, Rees-Zammit’s added bulk makes him that much more of a physical threat when he hits top speed. The Gloucester man also possess a well weighted boot, that sends the ball into the back-field to chase after. With just seven players to take on, LRZ would back his pace in open play on the Olympic circuit.
7. Adam Radwan (England and Newcastle Falcons)
And rounding off our starting seven is arguably the quickest rugby player Team GB could pick. Newcastle Falcons speedster Adam Radwan is pace personified. With an outrageous 100m time of 10.72s, Radwan’s top speed is reported to near 11.2 metres per second. The Falcons man has been building himself away from being a one-dimensional speed winger, with confident handling and a fearlessness to bring down much bigger opponents with chop tackles.
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