"Insane team" - Steve Borthwick unavailable England XV is absolutely mental

Rugby News
Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 11:26
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England head coach Steve Borthwick faces significant constraints in assembling his squad for the upcoming 2024 Six Nations, commencing in February.
Get your tickets for the 2024 Six Nations at viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace. Ticket start from £27.
The Guinness Six Nations occupies an incredibly special place in the sporting calendar, with fans anticipating its return each year
The team's selection pool is restricted as several key players have retired, others like Owen Farrell are on hiatus, and Tom Curry is sidelined for the entire season due to a hip injury. Furthermore, a considerable portion of the squad is currently engaged in playing opportunities within the Top 14.
Notably, Henry Arundell, despite his affiliation with Racing 92, has been granted special dispensation to represent England during the 2024 Six Nations. This exception arises from the dissolution of London Irish last summer.
The team below would definitely be in contention to win the Six Nations.
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England's unavailable XV:

15. Jack Nowell (La Rochelle)
14. Jonny May (Gloucester)
13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
10. Sam Simmonds (Pau)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2. Jack Singleton (Toulon)
3. Kieran Brookes (Toulon)
4. David Ribbans (Toulon)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
8. Sam Simmonds (Montpellier)

All Blacks legend Dan Carter names the only rugby player who actually ‘scared’ him

Legendary rugby star Dan Carter, often hailed as the ultimate back of the professional era, has recently opened up about the six most formidable opponents he encountered during his illustrious career, singling out one rival who genuinely 'scared' him.
With an extraordinary track record as the highest points scorer in international rugby history, amassing an impressive 1,598 points across 112 caps and securing two Rugby World Cup triumphs, Carter's perspectives hold significant weight.
Drawing from a multitude of Q&A sessions he engaged in over the years, including a notable one with the Independent, Carter generously shared his list of top adversaries with fans and fellow rugby enthusiasts.
DID YOU KNOW? In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final against Australia, Dan Carter kicked four penalties, two conversions and a drop goal, and was named the man of the match.

#6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Former French rugby captain renowned for his tenacity, Dusautoir led Les Bleus to the 2011 World Cup final. A formidable flanker, he's celebrated for his relentless work ethic and impactful tackles.
CARTER SAID: "He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup final

4&5. Brian O'Driscoll & Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Ireland's iconic centre, O'Driscoll's dazzling skills and leadership made him a rugby legend. A record-breaking try-scorer and Six Nations icon, his impact reverberates through Irish rugby history.
Ireland's revered rugby captain and lock, O'Connell's towering presence and leadership propelled him to legendary status. A talisman for Munster and Ireland, he commanded respect with his indomitable spirit, ferocious tackles, and inspirational commitment to the game.
Carter said: "Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary."

Brian O’Driscoll facts:

  1. He is devoted to Manchester United and his boyhood hero was Mark Hughes
  2. O’Driscoll’s father, Frank, played two games for Ireland and an uncle, Barry, won four caps
  3. His final appearance for Leinster, and for any team, was in the 2014 Pro12 Grand Final on 31 May in Leinster’s home ground, the RDS in Dublin, in which Leinster defeated the Glasgow Warriors 34-12
  4. His most oft-quoted line was delivered at a press conference at Croke Park before an England match in 2009: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” 
  5. O’Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.

3. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Late rugby legend, New Zealand's giant winger revolutionized the game. Lomu's sheer power, speed, and 37 international tries left an indelible mark on rugby history.
Carter said: "Scary. He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby."

Jonah Lomu Facts:

  1. He weighed 120 kg and was 1.96 metres tall, but could run 100 metres in 10.8 seconds
  2. In 1996, McDonald’s New Zealand named a burger after Lomu
  3. He’s the only rugby player ever to feature on the front cover of TIME magazine
  4. According to the Telegraph, Leeds were ready to make a third bid to attract All Blacks giant Jonah Lomu to England in 2001
  5. He played 63 tests as an All Black, scoring 37 tries
  6. In 2001 he helped New Zealand win the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

South African rugby icon, Burger, a dynamic flanker, thrived on aggression and skill. World Cup winner and multiple award-winner, he epitomized the Springbok spirit.
Carter said: “A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”

1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

England's World Cup-winning fly-half, Wilkinson's precision kicking and composure defined an era. Renowned for "that drop goal" in 2003, he remains an English rugby legend.
CARTER SAID: “Probably because I held him in such high regard and had a huge amount of respect for him, it was Jonny Wilkinson. He was an absolute student of the game,
“It was a wild, windy test match down in Wellington, I was on the bench and I hadn’t played a test match for the All Blacks, and he just took that game and, as a 10 that wants to control a game, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“I got the best seats in the house on the bench. Part of me was going, ‘Man, do I really want to get on here because he’s just completely dominating this game’.
“Thankfully I didn’t. I made my test debut the following week, which was a much better game to remember, but I just remember sitting there going, ‘If I ever do play 10’ – I was playing 12 a lot then – ‘this is how you need to control a game’.
“I had a huge amount of respect for him and playing against him.”

Jonny Wilkinson facts:

  1. Wilkinson’s brother, Mark, was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre. His father, Phil, was a rugby player and cricketer, and his mother, Philippa, played squash at county level.  His grandfather, Phil, also played football for Norwich.
  2. When former England centre Jeremy Guscott walked into the dressing room on the day of Wilkinson’s international debut, he thought the 18-year-old had won a competition to spend the day with the national team.
  3. Wilkinson followed Buddhist principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with The Times newspaper in 2009.
  4. Jonny and Shelley became parents for the first time in late 2018. They keep their private life pretty much on lockdown, but according to reports, they had a little boy called James while they were still living in France.
  5. Wilkinson is currently a studio pundit for ITV Sport, working on their coverage of the Six Nations Championship, Rugby World Cup and other rugby events.
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