"Farrell or Wilkinson" - Sir Ian McGeechan includes Maro Itoje in his all-time England XV

Thursday, 28 April 2022 at 11:30

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byRugby Rucker

Writing in The Telegraph, Sir Ian McGeechan has selected his all-time England hybrid XV with only one currently player being selected.

"You would have to put Jonny ahead of Owen Farrell because, while they were similar players, I think Jonny really broke the mould," wrote the legendary Lions coach.

"A bit like the Premier League vs the old First Division, there is a line there and people only seem to remember back to it.

"In fact, the more pertinent date is probably 1995 and the advent of professionalism. Rugby before then was very different and it is difficult to compare players of that era to the ultra-fit, versatile athletes of today - although there were exceptionally talented players from before that time who would have thrived in any era."

You can read his full article by clicking here.

#BACK-THREE:

15. Jason Robinson
14. David Duckham
11. Rory Underwood

#CENTRES:

13. Jeremy Guscott
12. Will Greenwood

#HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Matt Dawson

McGeechan wrote: "You would have to put Jonny ahead of Owen Farrell because, while they were similar players, I think Jonny really broke the mould. "

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Jason Leonard
2. Brian Moore
3. Fran Cotton

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Martin Johnson
5. Maro itoje

McGeechan on Itoje: " He has cut out many of the avoidable penalties and now when England are up against it, you are seeing the best of him. Against Ireland this year, for instance. Ball carrier, spoiler, competitor, excellent line-out operator, and very good hands as well. Also a natural leader. Maturing."