RUCK's Christmas XV: Henry 'Sleigh-ed' makes our festive team for 2025

Tuesday, 23 December 2025 at 15:00

byTom Sansom

The countdown is nearly over for Christmas! To mark the occasion we have compiled one of our Ultimate XV's made up entirely of festive rugby names from across the globe. We come up with an assortment of Christmas puns and also picked out some of the best festive names from the sport, as we bring to you RUCK's Christmas XV for 2025.

The RUCK team sends all of our readers an abundance of festive wishes, for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The Countdown begins for the 2026 Six Nations!

15. Jacob Stocking-dale (Ireland & Ulster)

14. Dean 'deck the' Halls (South Africa 2001-02)

Honourable Mention: Thomas Carol (Pau) and Waisake Na-hohoho (New Zealand & Rugby New York)

13. Henry Sleigh-ed (England & Exeter Chiefs)

12. Billy Twelve-Christmas-Trees (England 2013-15 & Worcester Warriors)

11. Rio Rein-Dyer (Wales & Dragons)

Honourable Mention: Ollie Sleigh-tholme (England & Northampton Saints)

10. Elinor Snowsill (Wales & Bristol Bears)

Honourable Mention: Owen 'Carol' (England & Saracens)

9. Che Hope (Dragons)

1. Angel Mulu (New Zealand & Chiefs Manawa)

2. Robin McBryde (Wales 1994-05 & Llanelli)

3. Dan 'Coal' (England 2010-24 & Leicester Tigers)

4. David 'Ribbons' (England 2022-23 & RC Toulon)

5. Jake Bau-Ball (Wales & Scarlets)

6. Miracle Fai'lagi (Samoa & Moana Pasifika)

7. (Jesus) Christ Tshuinza (Wales & Exeter Chiefs)

Honourable Mention: Peter Winterbottom

8. Jeandre Rudolf (Bulls)

Honourable Mention: Rudolf Straeuli (South Africa 1994-95)