Sam Warburton picks his dream team including three England internationals

Thursday, 25 April 2024 at 20:08

byRugby Rucker

Sam Warburton has unveiled his ultimate starting line-up, comprised of the most formidable adversaries encountered during his illustrious career on the rugby field.

," the 32-year-old revealed his handpicked squad, boasting six All Blacks.

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Having donned the jerseys of Cardiff Blues, the Lions, and Wales throughout his tenure, Warburton's dream team features a blend of talent, with notable inclusions from across the rugby world, including two former England luminaries.

In his recent literary offering, "Open Side

However, conspicuously absent from the starting XV are two iconic figures in New Zealand rugby history: Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, both relegated to the bench.

SAM WARBURTON DREAM TEAM:

BACK-THREE:

Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia)
Winger: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Winger: Julian Savea (New Zealand)

CENTRE:

Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Inside-centre: Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)

HALFBACKS:

Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Scrum-half: Will Genia (Australia)

FRONT-ROW:

Loosehead-prop: Andrew Sheridan (England)
Hooker: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
Tighthead-prop: Carl Hayman (New Zealand)

SECOND-ROW:

Lock: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
Lock: Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

BACK-ROW:

Blindside-flanker: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
Openside-flanker: David Pocock (Australia)
Number 8: Kieran Read (New Zealand)

REPLACEMENTS

Guilhem Guirado (France)
Cian Healy (Ireland)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Maro Itoje (England)
Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Stuart Hogg (Scotland).

Updated 2027 Rugby World Cup draw is good news for England and Steve Borthwick

The men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia will feature 24 teams after the World Rugby Council approved historic reimagination of the competition format, window and timing.

The new format will feature six pools of four teams, with a round of 16 added prior to the quarter-finals.

This will enable the tournament window to be reduced from seven to six weeks, while promoting a rhythm that builds momentum across the pool phase and respects the same minimum number of rest days between matches as at France 2023.

If the 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw was made tomorrow, this is what the Pools may look like (based on rankings)

2027 Rugby World Cup draw (Current rankings)

POOL A

South Africa
Japan
Georgia
Hong Kong

Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa celebrates after the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade De France, Paris on 29 October 2023 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

POOL B

Ireland
Fiji
Samoa
Chile

James Lowe of Ireland during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

POOL C

New Zealand
Wales
Portugal
Namibia

POOL D

France
Australia
Tonga
Canada

Antoine Dupont of France during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.