“We have exactly the same backline. 9 to 15 exactly the same.”
The selection of Best XVs is very often as subjective as they come, especially when dealing with personal recollections and a long expanse of time.
It was somewhat surprising, then, that Jerry Flannery and Andrew Trimble both independently came up with the same backlines in their Best XVs over overseas players in Ireland.
Taking in the entire professional era, on these isles, the former Ireland internationals were tasked with selecting their best 15s on a recent episode of Baz & Andrew’s House of Rugby [from 56:00 below]:
Flannery started off his Best XV of Overseas Players with former Leinster forward Ollie Le Roux at loosehead.
“Hooker was a tough one,” he continued. “I went with Matt Sexton. He played with Ulster a few years ago. He was a South African and was a good player. Tough.
“Tighthead was hard. There was BJ Botha and Stan Wright. And I think, just by virtue of winning, I’m going to give it to Stan Wright. BJ is definitely a better player, in my opinion. Is definitely a far better player, but Stan Wright won the European Cup with Leinster. Lock, I went with John Langford.”
Flannery initially had Leinster and Australia star Scott Fardy in his second row but he moved him to flanker to accommodate Brad Thorn in the second row with Langford. Blindside was Wallabies legend Rocky Elsom, who impressed all during his seasons with Leinster.
“Marcell Coetzee at No.8,” Flannery continued, “because he’s just been so good. He’s been incredible. Ruan Pienaar at 9. Felipe Contepomi at 10. Centres, I went with… I love Lifeimi Mafi [but] I went with Trevor Halstead at 12, Rua Tipoki at 13. Doug Howlett on the wing with Charles Piutau and Isa Nacewa at fullback.”
Jerry Flannery’s Best Overseas XV
15. Isa Nacewa (Leinster)
14. Doug Howlett (Munster)
13. Rua Tipoki (Munster)
12. Trevor Halstead (Munster)
11. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
10. Felipe Contepomi (Leinster)
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)1. Ollie Le Roux (Leinster)
2. Matt Sexton (Ulster)
3. Stan Wright (Leinster)
4. John Langford (Munster)
5. Brad Thorn (Leinster)
6. Scott Fardy (Leinster)
7. Rocky Elsom (Leinster)
8. Marcell Coetzee (Ulster)
Trimble selected the exact same backline but did give honourable mentions to Christian Lealifano (Ulster), Paul Steinmetz (Ulster), Mils Muliaina (Connacht), Sam Tuitupou (Munster), Casey Laulala (Munster) and Christian Cullen (Munster).
In his pack, Trimble went for his former Ulster teammate, and World Cup winner with New Zealand, John Afoa at tighthead and Munster’s Argentine loosehead Federico Pucciariello. Nathan Hines, Leinster’s dogged Australian Scot, was named in the second row along with Justin Harrison, who ‘shored up Ulster’s lineout but carried like a wet piece of paper and always wound up the opposition’.
Trimble’s back row is a little mix-and-match but it is a formidable unit all the same – Brad Thorn, Rocky Elsom and former Ulster No.8 Nick Williams.
Andrew Trimble’s Best Overseas XV
15. Isa Nacewa (Leinster)
14. Doug Howlett (Munster)
13. Rua Tipoki (Munster)
12. Trevor Halstead (Munster)
11. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
10. Felipe Contepomi (Leinster)
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)1.Federico Pucciariello (Munster)
2. Matt Sexton (Ulster)
3. John Afoa (Ulster)
4. Justin Harrison (Ulster)
5. Nathan Hines (Leinster)
6. Brad Thorn (Leinster)
7. Rocky Elsom (Leinster)
8. Nick Williams (Ulster)
Let us know, on social media, who would make your Best Overseas XV.
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Barry Murphy and Andrew Trimble look back on all the festive inter-pro action and discuss Ireland’s first squad gathering under Andy Farrell.
