Luther Burrell has chosen his rugby union dream team

Tuesday, 30 July 2019 at 09:28

bySteven Smith

Take a look at who Luther Burrell has picked in his all-time Dream Team for The Rugby Paper of players he’s played with or against.

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1 Soane Tonga’uiha

Part of a magnificent Saints front row that gave us a platform. Huge scrummager who ensured our pack never went into reverse.

2 Dylan Hartley

Leadership qualities he brings for Saints and England are second to none and his set-piece stats are right up there. Nails his lineouts and very good in the scrum.

Dylan Hartley of England (Capt) arrives before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)

3 Brian Mujati

Played with and against him and he was at Saints when our pack was a force to be reckoned with. Great character who did a mean home brew!

4 Courtney Lawes

‘Mr Northampton’ is so dominant in the contact area and tackling is phenomenal. Laid-back, but an animal on the pitch.

5 Samu Manoa

Partnered with Courtney, this pair would dominate the opposition. Unknown when he came to Saints but was so explosive and had fantastic athletic ability.

6 Alfie To’oala

Had the biggest legs I’ve even seen and had to cut his shorts before every game. One of the most aggressive players I’ve seen, people would just bounce off him.

7 Hendre Fourie

Fantastic at the breakdown. Would be getting seven bells knocked out of him but would still come up with the ball. Such a shame he had to retire early.

8 Louis Picamoles

This is a pretty big pack and he was our saviour in 2016/17. Incredible ability to take on defenders and offload in what was quite an adverse time for us.

louis picamoles 3490341b1 e1454943383439

Editorial Use Only
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colm O'Neill/Seconds Left/REX Shutterstock (5226201dj)
France's Louis Picamoles thanks the crowed
Rugby World Cup England 2015 - France v Ireland - 11/10/2015 - Millennium Stadium - Cardiff
Mandatory Credit : Colm O'Neill / Seconds Left
France v Ireland, IRB Rugby World Cup, Rugby Union International, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - 11 Oct 2015

9 Kahn Fotuali’i

At one point he was the world’s best 9 for me. The stuff he could do meant it was like playing with another 10 or 12, he was that strong and mobile.

10 Stephen Myler

Played with Farrell, Cipriani and Biggar but I’ll stick with Myler because of his resilience. Nothing flash but ultra-professional and when you need big kicks, he delivers.

11 Taqele Naiyaravoro

Fits the bill for my ultra-physical team. Stats are right up there and you just can’t tackle the man. Phenomenal.

12 Owen Farrell

Sam Tuitupou is up there but Faz would dovetail nicely with Myler behind my monster pack. Brilliant ball player who demands the best from others.

13 Manu Tuilagi

Had many individual battles with him and he’s one of those freaks of nature who can win you a game from nothing by breaking tackles and linking with wings.

Manu Tuilagi of England congratulates Jonny May of England having scored a try during the Guinness Six Nations Round Two match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 10th February 2019. [Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK].

14 Seru Rabeni

Leeds played Newcastle needing a win to stay up. He was ill before the game but got man-of-the-match. Line-breaks, huge defensive hits, he had the lot.