"The best flanker there’s been full stop." - Chris Robshaw picks dream back-row
Rugby NewsMonday, 05 December 2022 at 16:35
Chris Robshaw named a star-studded back-row trident of players when picking his all-timer dream team.
A twice-named Aviva Premiership Player of the Year, Robshaw won 66 England caps and is the second most capped England captain of all time.
Speaking on the Looseheadz Podcast, he selected his dream team from any era of rugby to take on Mars if they invaded the Earth and challenged us to a game of rugby.
Here, Chris Robshaw names his stunning dream team to take on Mars.
DID YOU KNOW? He was engaged to his girlfriend of 6 years, Camilla Kerslake, before they married in France on 29 June 2018
The rest of his XV:
15: Jason Robinson (England) – An easy pick. I wish i could have played against him to see his footwork up close.
14: Bryan Habana (South Africa) – He was electric. I’m sure he’d be a good teammate.
13: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – From what he achieved in the game, I think he’d be a great player to have in the side.
12: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand) – Always quite a scary guy to play against. The best 12 about in my time, but it was a tough one between him and Jamie Roberts.
11: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – The impact he had on rugby was like nobody else in history. I would have loved to have played with him.
10: Owen Farrell (England): “He’s been brilliant. You take him out of the training session and I think the volume drops by 80%.
Owen Farrell, Captain of England kicks the penalty during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
9: Gareth Edwards (Wales) – “Going back a little bit, but I’m sure he could spark this team into life.”
1: Joe Marler – A hell of a character. A great player and a great person to have in your changing room.
2: Jamie George – Again a fantastic player.
3: Dan Cole – He was my roommate every time we toured together or with England, so I don’t know who else I’d share with.
4: Martin Johnson (Captain) – A good enforcer. Our captain for sure.
5: Maro Itoje – The best second-row I played with. I think he’s just going to get better and better.
Chris Robshaw's Dream Back-Row
Blindside-flanker: Schalk Burger (South Africa)
One of the most physical back-rowers in the game, he was dubbed a “threshing machine” by former Springboks coach Nick Mallett. Came back from injury and life-threatening illness to enjoy an immense international swansong at the 2015 World Cup. A carrying king who went on to join Saracens before retiring.
Robshaw said: "He’s a player I was lucky enough to play against when he was at Sarries. As a young lad I actually grew my hair to look like him."
Openside-flanker: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
An all-time great of rugby.
McCaw’s skill at the breakdown made opposition players feel a suffocating blanket had been placed on their game. No single player has more tries as a forward, more games as a captain and better long-term win rate than this icon of the game.
To list McCaw’s achievements and medals does the great man something of an injustice but two World Cups, World Rugby Player of Year thrice, New Zealand Sportsman of the Year, umpteen Super Rugby and Rugby Championship medals; well let’s just say his trophy cabinet splits at the seams.
Robshaw said: "The best flanker there’s been full stop."
Richie McCaw facts:
- McCaw’s great-great-grandfather immigrated to New Zealand from the Scottish Borders in 1893. As tribute to his roots, the legendary All Black has learned how to play the bagpipes
- He has won the World Rugby player of the year award a joint record three times and was the most capped test rugby player of all time from August 2015 to October 2020
- McCaw was awarded World Rugby player of the decade (2011–2020) in 2021
- It was revealed at his retirement announcement in 2015 that McCaw would work at Christchurch Helicopters, where he is a Director and Shareholder, and was obtaining a commercial helicopter licence
- In December 2011, then Prime Minister John Key revealed that he had asked McCaw about the possibility of a knighthood in the 2012 New Year Honours, but that McCaw had turned it down
Number 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Went from being a schoolboy chorister to one of the most formidable physical presences in the game of rugby. Had it all in his prime - pace, power, aggression, pride and a steely mind-set.
A Lions series winner, a World Cup winner and a trophy magnet with Wasps.
Robshaw said: "A phenomenal player for England and a phenomenal character from when I met him."
Lawrence Dallaglio facts:
- His full name is actually Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio
- Playing in all three positions in the back row, he won 85 caps for England, and was part of the team that won the 2003 World Cup
- He is one of a very small number of players to have won both the Rugby World Cup and Sevens World Cup
- Dallaglio went on three tours with the British & Irish Lions, winning three caps
- His sister Francesca, a 19-year-old student ballerina, died in the Marchioness disaster in 1989
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