England star set for shock departure from Saracens, nobody saw this coming

Theo Dan of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Dan Carter didn’t hesitate when naming the one toughest opponent from his career

#6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

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

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)

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)

1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

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.