In a delightful gathering of rugby minds, the "For The Love Of Rugby" podcast recently hosted an engaging session where former England stars Dan Cole, Chris Robshaw, Ben Youngs, alongside content creator ‘Squidge’, convened to draft their ultimate England XVs of the 21st century. The event, held before a live studio audience, added a competitive twist: no player could be selected more than once, leading to some surprising omissions and intriguing selections.
Ben Youngs, England’s record cap holder, assembled a team combining brute strength and tactical finesse. His forward pack was nothing short of legendary, and he strategically placed his best mate Freddie Burns at fly-half to maximize the backline's potential. "Having Freddie there to open up space was crucial for the dynamic we wanted in the backline," Youngs explained. The team was rounded out with Mike Brown at fullback and Henry Slade as the second playmaker, ensuring stability and creativity.
"Having Freddie there to open up space was crucial for the dynamic we wanted in the backline."
Chris Robshaw opted for a blast from the past with his selection, favoring the mid-2000s stars including World Cup heroes Matt Dawson and Jonny Wilkinson. His choices reflected a deep appreciation for his era, with a nod to personal connections as seen through his selection of former Harlequins teammate Will Collier. "These players represent a significant period in England rugby, and their impact was profound," Robshaw commented.
Dan Cole’s team leaned heavily on power, with a centre combination of Manu Tuilagi and Owen Farrell designed to break lines and dominate physically. His selection of George Ford and Danny Care at halfback, however, added a nimble, strategic element to his otherwise muscular lineup.
Content creator ‘Squidge’ brought a fresh perspective, focusing on try-scoring ability and star power. His selection of Danny Cipriani at fly-half was designed to unleash the potential of a backline brimming with pace and flair.
Ultimately, it was Ben Youngs’ balanced yet formidable squad that won the audience’s favor. His team not only promised power up front but also flair and precision in the backs, a combination that resonated well with the audience and highlighted the depth of talent England rugby has enjoyed in the 21st century.
As these rugby luminaries showcased their picks, the session illuminated the rich tapestry of talent that has defined English rugby over the years, leaving fans to debate and reminisce about the stars who have donned the white jersey.
Teams Selected:
Ben Youngs: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Martin Johnson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Lewis Moody, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, 9 Ben Youngs, 10 Freddie Burns, 11 Jonny May, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 Mike Brown
Chris Robshaw: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Will Collier, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Richard Hill, 7 Tom Rees, 8 Nick Easter, 9 Matt Dawson, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 11 David Strettle, 12 Mike Catt, 13 Matthew Tait, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Josh Lewsey
Dan Cole: 1 Joe Marler, 2 Steve Thompson, 3 Phil Vickery, 4 Danny Grewcock, 5 O
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In a delightful gathering of rugby minds, the "For The Love Of Rugby" podcast recently hosted an engaging session where former England stars Dan Cole, Chris Robshaw, Ben Youngs, alongside content creator ‘Squidge’, convened to draft their ultimate England XVs of the 21st century. The event, held before a live studio audience, added a competitive twist: no player could be selected more than once, leading to some surprising omissions and intriguing selections.
Ben Youngs, England’s record cap holder, assembled a team combining brute strength and tactical finesse. His forward pack was nothing short of legendary, and he strategically placed his best mate Freddie Burns at fly-half to maximize the backline's potential. "Having Freddie there to open up space was crucial for the dynamic we wanted in the backline," Youngs explained. The team was rounded out with Mike Brown at fullback and Henry Slade as the second playmaker, ensuring stability and creativity.
"Having Freddie there to open up space was crucial for the dynamic we wanted in the backline."
Chris Robshaw opted for a blast from the past with his selection, favoring the mid-2000s stars including World Cup heroes Matt Dawson and Jonny Wilkinson. His choices reflected a deep appreciation for his era, with a nod to personal connections as seen through his selection of former Harlequins teammate Will Collier. "These players represent a significant period in England rugby, and their impact was profound," Robshaw commented.
Dan Cole’s team leaned heavily on power, with a centre combination of Manu Tuilagi and Owen Farrell designed to break lines and dominate physically. His selection of George Ford and Danny Care at halfback, however, added a nimble, strategic element to his otherwise muscular lineup.
Content creator ‘Squidge’ brought a fresh perspective, focusing on try-scoring ability and star power. His selection of Danny Cipriani at fly-half was designed to unleash the potential of a backline brimming with pace and flair.
Ultimately, it was Ben Youngs’ balanced yet formidable squad that won the audience’s favor. His team not only promised power up front but also flair and precision in the backs, a combination that resonated well with the audience and highlighted the depth of talent England rugby has enjoyed in the 21st century.
As these rugby luminaries showcased their picks, the session illuminated the rich tapestry of talent that has defined English rugby over the years, leaving fans to debate and reminisce about the stars who have donned the white jersey.
Teams Selected:
Ben Youngs: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Martin Johnson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Lewis Moody, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, 9 Ben Youngs, 10 Freddie Burns, 11 Jonny May, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 Mike Brown
Chris Robshaw: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Will Collier, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Richard Hill, 7 Tom Rees, 8 Nick Easter, 9 Matt Dawson, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 11 David Strettle, 12 Mike Catt, 13 Matthew Tait, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Josh Lewsey
Dan Cole: 1 Joe Marler, 2 Steve Thompson, 3 Phil Vickery, 4 Danny Grewcock, 5 O