Old timers XV

Just a bit of fun..

After seeing some stories on the golden oldies that are/aren't making it to the world cup this year but still going strong, what do you think is the strongest (or oldest) possible team of players coming to the end of their career?

Here's a quick starting XV and bench, with caps just to show experience:

1. R Roncero (ARG) AGE 34 43 CAPS

2. M Ledesma (ARG) AGE 38 65 CAPS

3. M Scelzo (ARG) AGE 35 41 CAPS

4. S Shaw (ENG) AGE 37 62 CAPS

5. Brad Thorn (NZL) AGE 36 49 CAPS

6. L Moody (ENG) AGE 33 66 CAPS

7. M Williams (WAL) AGE 35 99 CAPS

8. N Easter (ENG) AGE 33 39 CAPS

9. P stringer (IRE) AGE 33 98 CAPS

10. J Wilkinson (ENG) AGE 32 82 CAPS

11. S Williams (WAL) AGE 34 81 CAPS

12. F Contemponi (ARG) AGE 34 68 CAPS

13. B O'Driscoll (IRE) AGE 32 113 CAPS

14. D Howlett (NZL) AGE 32 62 CAPS

15. C Paterson (SCO) AGE 33 105 CAPS


16. John Smit (AUS) AGE 33 103 CAPS

17. S Marconnet (FRA) AGE 35 80 CAPS

18. L Nallet (FRA) AGE 34 62 CAPS

19. D Wallace (IRE) AGE 35 71 CAPS

20. I Boss (IRE) AGE 31 14 CAPS

21. R O'Gara (IRE) AGE 34 110 CAPS

22. C Heymans (FRA) AGE 33 55 CAPS


Not suprisingly, tight 5 forwards were the easiest to come across, whereas scrumhalf proved fairly difficult (settling for Isaac Boss at only 31 on the bench), but then I'm sure I've missed some fairly obvious candidates out!

Any suggestions/improvements on that team?

I think you named the best team, every player I could think of off the top of my head you have on your list!

Byron Kelleher's 34 (35 in Dec) and still playing for Stade Francais - 57 caps

And it's stretching it, but Andrew Merhtens at 38 is still in ProD2 with Beziers

Wow, Chris Paterson really notched up those caps...

plus Stephen Jones has 100 caps too, if you take Wilko out that'll boost the total.

Oops, Paterson has 105 caps, not 195


Edited now. I did consider Wellies, there's quite a few talented aging 10's to pick from.

Byron Kehller's a very good shout, quality player.

If you need a decent fly half,Andrew Merthens is still doing the bizzo in France.

John Hayes at 3

Tony Brown still sort of going strong

I tried to change it... But, that's excellent in its' own context. Well thought out man.

But, I reckon I can replace a few on next post.

If Andy Robinson can do it so can we. Let's chuck Nathan Hines in at 6 - he is 34 years old, has 73 caps and has fewer replacement parts than Lewis Moody so if more likely to finish the game (albeit via the bin at some point)

Stefan Terblanche for the Sharks in the s15 at age 36 this year. And Victor Matfield is 34!

And 38 yo Tana Umaga was at the Chiefs in SXV