Former England fullback Delon Armitage has named his all-time Test lineup, which includes just one Springbok and five Englishmen.
Selecting his best of the best for Rugby Pass, Armitage’s dream team includes two World Cup winners and a former World Player of the Year winner, and, surprisingly, seven players from the southern hemisphere.
A 2007 World Cup winner, Bok lock Bakkies Botha is perhaps the most decorated player in the history of professional rugby, and he partners Englishman Nick Kennedy in the second row.
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On Botha’s selection, Armitage explained: “When you have got a lineout stealer, you have got to have a heavy hitter in there pulling rucks down and smashing rucks back in the day when we were allowed to, so Bakkies is definitely in there. Was also my neighbour [in Toulon]. He always looked after me in France.”
Ex-England talisman Jonny Wilkinson links up at halfback with compatriot Paul Hodgson, while Australian Matt Giteau combines with Frenchman Mathieu Bastareaud in midfield.
Former All Black Chris Masoe packs down in the loose trio with Armitage’s brother, Steffon, and Argentinian Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Kiwis Carl Hayman and Clarke Dermody slot in either side of Englishman David Paice up front, with Aussies James O’Connor and Drew Mitchell lining up with Fijian Sailosi Tagicakibau in a exciting back three.
Delon Armitage’s Dream XV – 15 James O’Connor (Australia), 14 Drew Mitchell (Australia), 13 Mathieu Bastareaud (France), 12 Matt Giteau (Australia), 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), 10 Jonny Wilkinson (England), 9 Paul Hodgson (England), 8 Chris Masoe (New Zealand), 7 Steffon Armitage (England), 6 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina), 5 Bakkies Botha (South Africa), 4 Nick Kennedy (England), 3 Carl Hayman (New Zealand), 2 David Paice (England), 1 Clarke Dermody (New Zealand).
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