With the Rugby World Cup kicking off this Friday evening, a very rare thing seems to be happening in the Transfer Tavern, and that is the conversation is being stretched further than just Football!
As it is a home World Cup, the chances of England winning the tournament are being talked up by the usual punters in this boozy pub, with every game involving the home nation expected to grip the attention of fans of all sports.
Much is often said about the Premier League tough guys who might be able to cut it as a professional rugby players, but actually with such a plethora of young, exciting and athletic talent in the current England Rugby set up, many fans in here are discussing which of Stuart Lancaster’s stars could do a job in the Barclays Premier League.
From pacey wingers, technical scrum-halves and second-rows with outstanding stature the sport that has a ‘position for everyone’ seems to have conjured up a fair few players who could try their hand at football, especially those boys who will be fighting for The Rose this Autumn. Just who are these players?
Keep up with all the action from the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Rugby Right Now. Rugby Right Now brings all of rugby’s latest news, expert views and team and player social media platforms all together at the touch of your fingertips. Available to download now in the App Store on iOS or visit online at www.rugbyrightnow.com.
[ffc-gallery]
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS
[/ffc-gallery]
Anthony Watson
Rugby Position: Wing
Football Position: Wing/Full back
Premier League player he is similar to: Theo Walcott
Anthony Watson will be one of England’s shining lights in the World Cup campaign, with bags of pace and athleticism that eludes almost every other sportsmen, from any discipline.
Watson, is five years the junior of England Football international Theo Walcott but the pair can be likened in many ways. Anthony Watson began his career in the home county of Berkshire playing for London Irish before his big move to Arsenal, much like Theo Walcott, who despite a spell with Southampton before the move to Arsenal, the Footballer plied his trade for Newbury Town Football club, also based in Berkshire.
Watson, who stands at an imposing 6ft1 has been scoring tries for fun and with his height and strength you would fancy him from the set piece, surely capable of troubling the opposition defence from corners. As well as his deadly finishing, the Bath Rugby back is a ruthless tackler and weighing in at over 14 stone, he might well be able to do a job as an industrious left or right back.
Danny Care
Rugby Position: Scrum Half
Football Position: Attacking Midfield
Premier League player he is similar to: David Silva
Danny Care is a pass master with the egg shaped ball and has made a name for himself for Harlequins and England through his relentless bursts of pace over the first few metres, and by racking up countless assists – as well as a number of scores for himself.
There are a host of aspects that liken the two players from the two separate sports, but notably Danny Care played a huge role in seeing Harlequins win their first Rugby Premiership title in 2012, the exact same year the Blue moon rose, and Manchester City won their first Football premier league title, in which David Silva’s creative ability played a vital part in.
With his sharp mind, quick feet, and impressive ability to bring his team mates into the game, Danny Care would surely suit the CAM role excellently. His distribution in rugby is second to few players and this could make the scrum half very adept at long, short and medium passes on a football pitch. A skill required in players of all the top English club sides.
Chris Robshaw
Rugby Position: Flanker/Back row
Football Position: Centre-backPremier League player he is similar to: Vincent Kompany
Chris Robshaw is reknowned in his club and country’s jersey for having incredible stamina and leadership skills – something ever present in Vincent Kompany’s game. Robshaw has been both Harlequins and England Rugby captain for a lengthy period of time, and Kompany has led his national team, alongside of course being the captain at Manchester City as they attempt to climb the summit of European football.
Robshaw is often a player who goes under the radar, but with relentless ball carrying and determination that lasts the entire match, he could surely translate this ball carrying into non stop tackling throughout the 90 minutes of a football game.
Not unaccustomed to the odd try, Robshaw, at 6ft2 could definitely use his size to cause problems at the other end of the pitch as well. The potential is definitely there for Robshaw to form a formidable and physical defensive partnership with someone like Kompany.
Joe Launchbury
Rugby Position: Second Row/Lock
Football Position: Goal Keeper
Premier League player he is similar to: Joe Hart
Joe Launchbury and Joe Hart do not just share forenames and nationality, they are similar in stature and have both developed a commanding reputation for their respective club sides. Launchbury, at 6ft6 is only one inch taller than the City Goalkeeper Joe Hart, who stands at an imposing 6ft5.
Whilst Joe Hart is 4 years the senior to Launchbury, both share a humble back ground and enjoyed a meteoric rise to the pinnacle of their sport. Joe Launchbury has an infamous tale of stacking shelves in Sainsbury’s just a year or so before making his international debut at Twickenham. And with Joe Hart he started his professional career at lowly Shrewsbury, but by the age of 25 had won his first Premier League Crown, a very young age for Keeper in particular.
Launchbury has forged his career so far on his excellent handling ability for a forward player, and his great consistency when it comes to being lifted and catching balls in the line out. This is extremely similar to Joe Hart’s ability to dive left and right, high and low, to stop shots, and the Wasps Second row player would most likely be able to do a job in between the sticks.
Brad Barritt
Rugby Position: Centre
Football Position: Midfield/CDM
Premier League player he is similar to: James Milner
Brad Barritt is a player who divides opinion across the land when it comes to Rugby Fans, some love his tireless work ethic and willingness to never give up on the pitch – in particular his industrious style in defence; whereas some question his talents and say he is ‘boring’ to watch. This is much similar to the style of play, and the opinions held, regarding central midfield stalwart, James Milner.
Both players command the centre of the field in their respective sports, and while some say Milner lacks natural ability, he is loved by many for his engine and workman like style of play. This is almost identical to the traits Brad Barritt has displayed to earn himself a starting spot in the England National team for this upcoming tournament.
Barritt, like Milner, is aged 29, but at 6ft1 would add a great aerial threat in the middle of the park, and would surely be able to couple his defensive capabilities, with this height, to become a midfield enforcer in the Premier League if wished to change his profession!
What do you think of these similarities? Do you agree? Or would Rugby players struggle in the Premier League? What other players could cut it? Let us know below!
