Doddie Weir ranks his four 'favourite' England opponents

Rugby News
Thursday, 04 February 2021 at 10:45
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As England and Scotland clash in their Six Nations opener this weekend, Doddie Weir has revealed his favourite opponents from Calcutta Cup clashes down the years.

1. Brian Moore

WEIR SAID: "He inspired a different type of anger. Andrew, Healey, Dawson, those guys you felt deserved a slap; Moore you just really wanted to punch. We saw him as the epitome of English arrogance. If he was playing, you never needed to get up for the game. He did our team talks for us with whatever comments he made in the press."
DID YOU KNOW? He is a supporter of, and season ticket holder at, Chelsea football club

2. Rob Andrew

WEIR SAID: "He was one of those Englishmen – the perfect showman, mischievous smile, immaculate shirt – that you desperately hoped you could say hello to at the bottom of a ruck. He would later become my director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons and I have to say he was one of the coaches I most enjoyed playing under.
DID YOU KNOW? In November 2016 Andrew was appointed chief executive of Sussex County Cricket Club

3. Jason Leonard

WEIR SAID: "One of those very few English players whom it was impossible to dislike. The English team of the Nineties had this confident aura about them, which used to wind us up no end, but Jase was not like that. He played as hard as any opponent I have come across, but was always the first to offer you a handshake and a pint after the match."
DID YOU KNOW? Leonard played in England teams which won four Grand Slams (1991, 1992, 1995 and 2003)

4. Wade Dooley

WEIR SAID: "I only crossed paths with Wade a couple of times when I was at the start of my international career and he was at the end of his, but he taught me some valuable lessons. I have to say I had a long hard laugh when I found out that the Rugby Football Union had made him a citing officer."
DID YOU KNOW? He was known as the "Blackpool Tower", as a result of being 6 feet 8 inches tall and a police officer with Lancashire Constabulary in Blackpool

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