Imagine the size of Iain Henderson when you add all that padding?
The man who brought former Saracens Lock Hayden Smith and Australian rugby league star Jarryd Payne to the NFL is at the Rugby World Cup scouting for talent.
And NFL agent Jack Bechta reckons there is plenty of potential among the 20 teams competing in England.
“I’m actively scouting and trying to identify three to five guys who potentially fit the profile of an NFL player,” Bechta told ESPN.
“Rugby players are better-conditioned athletes than NFL players – from a toughness, training standpoint they won’t have any problems making the transfer,’ he said.
“I’d be respectful and contact their specific agents and do things the right way,” he added. “But I don’t see this massive migration from rugby to NFL. I could see three to five players a year trying out, maybe more.”
Only 11 months after making the switch to gridiron, former Parramatta Eels NRL star Payne is now back-up running back for five-time Superbowl champions, the San Francisco 49ers.
You could imagine some NFL franchises being interested in turning Fiji’s 20-stone battering ram, Nemani Nadolo, into a running back, or taking a crack at transforming Australia full-back Israel Folau into a wide receiver.
We all know about Ronan O’Gara’s ‘flirtation’ with the Miami Dolphins, but which current Irish player do you think could realistically make it in the NFL?
