James Lauren

@DRoj Stuart Abbott Mark van Gisbergen Matt Stevens Mouritz Botha Hendrie Fourie Lesley Vainakolo Brad Barritt Thomas Waldrom Nic Dolly Brad Shields David Paice

Feyi-Waboso, Roots, Cunningham-South, Marcus Smith, Dylan Hartley was Captain, Shontayne Hape, Mike Catt, Willie Heinz, Ben Te’o, the Vunipolas, Riki Flutey. That’s off the top of my head. Have I missed any? Oh yeah, Kepu Tuipulotu. Feel free to continue the list…

@Sharkin40 @WaywardScot @TightFive_Rugby Two-time Lions tourist if I remember correctly - 2001 and 2005.

@WaywardScot @TightFive_Rugby There’s a phoenix from the flames. Cracking player 👏👏

Who is the ultimate ‘What if’ player in rugby history? Someone who was incredible talented, but didn’t live up to their potential because of injuries…

@Sharkin40 @jimmyfine89 @TightFive_Rugby Agreed. Croft wasn’t in the original tour party either, was a late call-up after Quinlan was banned for gouging.

@jimmyfine89 @TightFive_Rugby Wouldn’t have kept his place on that tour if Ferris was not injured imo. Croft was a cracking player but Ferris was a level above. Opinions vary though.

@Atticus_75 @TightFive_Rugby Ferris! Still remember the injury that robbed him of a ‘09 Lions Test jersey. He was on a fire that tour pre-injury.

@TightFive_Rugby Ellis Jenkins. He was immense in 2017 and 2018 until the injury at the end of the South Africa game in Cardiff 2018. Ferris for Ireland, and Skinstad for South Africa

@sixbyeight @TightFive_Rugby He was a 2009 Lion, had a good career.

@TightFive_Rugby Harry Ellis.

@JimOBrien2012 @TightFive_Rugby Polledri. What. A. Player. Him and Negri in the Italian back-row was quite something.

@TightFive_Rugby From Gloucester - James Forrester, James Simpson-Daniel, Jake Polledri. Parochial choice I know!

@SamRobertsComms @TightFive_Rugby First name that sprung to mind - Tom Rees.

Some wonderful names in this list. I’d add Sam Jones - a top prospect in England’s back row

@CharlieFelix @willgkelleher The five being Bordeaux, Toulouse, La Rochelle, Leinster and Northampton?

Article on English fortunes in the Champions Cup. Feels a long time since there were four Prem winners in five seasons… but I think that’s OK. Five teams have contested the last six CC finals, which shows how hard it is. thetimes.com/sport/rugby-un…

@gallagherbren58 @CharlesRTel Ah that Biarritz side, those were the good old days. Fond memories - Brusque, Yachvili, Lund, Traille et al.

@CharlesRTel Yachvili was brilliant Gave an absolute masterclass in Dublin one time for France in the wind and rain. Shortened his pass to his 10 to abt 6-8 yards but basically played pick and go with his pack for 80 mins. Didn't fumble once, kicked flawlessly. Didn't even raise a sweat

Great walk down memory lane, this. That Biarritz side easily in the top five Euro teams ever. Dimitri Yachvili one of the great scrum-halves, playing behind a brutish pack, and some of the most elegant, underrated backs. Philippe Bidabé a total gun. thetimes.com/sport/rugby-un…

@TEnglishSport Just finished ‘This is your Everest’. An outstanding piece of rugby writing - it really is. Thank you to yourself and Peter. A brilliant read.

@T2Rugby @alexspinksport @Rugbyworldmag Arguably Wilkinson unfortunate not to be a Lion in ‘09 too. I think he turned it down which left ROG, Jones and Hook.

@alexspinksport @Rugbyworldmag The English 10s from 2004-2011 actually got quite a few caps due to his injuries but probably got a bit underrated due to pressure and comparisons following him. Flood very good for Leicester and unfortunate not to be a Lion in 09. Goode probably gets 100 caps in Ire, Sco, Ita.

“At his best I'd say he was up there with Steph Curry, Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, athletes that could change a game on their own” What was it like competing with Jonny Wilkinson for the England 10 shirt? I asked Hodgson, Grayson, Flood, Barkley & Goode @Rugbyworldmag out now

@willgkelleher @TimesSport @SportSJA @AlexMLowe @AlfredReynolds5 It was a great listen, Will. Really enjoyed it.

😍 I was proud of team @TimesSport yesterday, but forgive me, this has made my year. The Red Lions, our Ruck series, has been nominated for a @SportSJA pod award! @AlexMLowe @AlfredReynolds5 & I can’t tell you how good that feels, after all it took. Ok, self indulgence over!

@gallagherbren58 @top14rugby @rugbytoulon_ David Strettle, Andrew Sheridan, Toby Flood, Kieran Brookes, Zac Mercer, Sam Simmonds.

@top14rugby @rugbytoulon_ Nick abendanon, Paul sackey

Le meilleur du rugby anglais en #TOP14 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💎 De la légende Jonny Wilkinson au guerrier Jack Willis, retour sur les meilleurs joueurs anglais de l'histoire à avoir marqué notre championnat de leur empreinte !

@GD10 @jim_demps Chev Walker, Joel Tomkins, Lote Tuquri, Wendell Sailor, Brad Thorn, Mat Rogers, Sam Burgess, Maurie Faasavalu, Roger Tuivosa-Sheck etc…

@jim_demps This is a really good point. Wales tried (sort-of) with Regan Grace, but it hasn't panned out. There's an endless list from past 20 years that has totally dried up: Iestyn Harris, Shontayne Hape, Henry Paul, Lesley Vainikolo, Stephen Myler, Chris Ashton, Andy Farrell...

Is the high level rugby league convert not a thing in the NH anymore? Lads like Burgess, Carney, Robinson, Bentley etc etc. Seems like teams aren’t taking a punt anymore. Anyway, Munster should have a sniff at Cameron Munster just to prove me wrong

@JontyUpNorth @HeTalksRugby @NCL_RedBulls What’s happened to Fergus-Lee Warner and Freddie Clarke this season?

@HeTalksRugby @NCL_RedBulls 12 new signings and nine confirmed contract extensions so far.

𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗘𝗗 ✍️ Will Rigg is making the move to Newcastle Red Bulls this summer, with the hard-running Exeter Chiefs centre heading north on a two-year deal. For the full story, visit 👉 bit.ly/3ZyhYh9

@EngRugbyDebate I’m not convinced. Bang average in AUNZ Lions game in summer and he’s essentially an All Black reject not good enough to get in New Zealand squad. Time will tell though, hope he comes good.

Oh my word. That is box office. We’re going to need a deeper depth chart.

@RugbyPass @simonthomasrug1 Wrong account.

'It’s been a crazy time really.' - Jake Ball talks to @simonthomasrug1 about second chances and coming home to the Scarlets. rugbypass.com/news/for-a-lon… #URC

@gallagherbren58 @T2Rugby I thought he was going to La Rochelle with Le Garrac and Ninanishvilli? Brex is at Toulon as well I think so they could’ve been re-united.

@T2Rugby There is that, I def know what ur saying but if ur 21 and want to be the best in the world one day there's probably only one choice The biggest thing for me is thst u hv to learn to be on top of your game all the time just to get a start at Toulouse! Incredible competition

Hat tip to Tomasso Menoncello - already one of the best 3 or 4 centres on the planet - who appears to hv accepted an offer from Toulouse that is 10k a month less than toulon put on the table. Getting the right fit much more important than squeezing the last Euro out of a contract

@balders2 Quins bottom? Wow - what’s your thinking.

My Prem finishing order: 1 Bath, 2 Saracens, 3 Sale, 4 Northampton, 5 Leicester, 6 Bristol, 7 Gloucester, 8 Exeter, 9 Newcastle, 10 Harlequins.

@ben_jaycock @TheRugbyPaper @Charlie2003Ell What’s happened to TRP podcast with @gallagherbren58, Nick, Chris and Ollie?

Great to be on @TheRugbyPaper's round-up podcast, alongside @Charlie2003Ell. We discuss the Women's World Cup semi-finals and the Prem Rugby Cup. youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRFuV…