England and Harlequins loosehead-prop Joe Marler has named ‘five of the best’ players he’s faced.
It’s fair to say, it’s a sensational selection from the prop.
#1. CARL HAYMAN
Major teams Barbarians, Highlanders, Newcastle Falcons, Toulon, New Zealand, New Zealand Maori
Position Prop
Caps 45
MARLER SAID: “I played against him when he was at Newcastle and he basically Would knock **ing s**t outta ya for 80 minutes. It was like play against a prop with the fitness levels of a flanker.”
#2.RORY BEST
Major teams Barbarians, British and Irish Lions, Ireland A, Munster, Ulster, Ireland
Position Hooker
Caps 124
Marler said: "Best is hard as nails and a great thrower at the line plus great in the loose. He was pretty underrated in my opinion."
DID YOU KNOW? Best followed his elder brother Simon into rugby, playing alongside him for both province and country.
#3.TADHG FURLONG
Major teams Leinster, British and Irish Lions, Ireland
Position Hooker
Caps 55
#4.TONY WOODCOCK
Major teams Blues, Highlanders, North Harbour, New Zealand
Position Prop
Caps 118
MARLER SAID: "I think he was a farmer. He epitomised those earthy, no-nonsense values on the rugby field, getting on with the job. The player I looked up to most early in my career."
#5.DAN COLE
Major teams Leicester, England, Lions
Position Prop
Caps 98
MARLER SAID: "He looks like a polar bear, an animal renowned for being miserable. A really good friend of mine, but always a tough opponent."