Former England international Jack Nowell would be the name on many fans’ lips when asked who their favourite rugby player is - or be on the Mount Rushmore social media trend.
The 32-year-old was in attendance as England won their opening Six Nations fixture at Twickenham against Wales.
Nowell, like most rugby fans, has those players that he loved to watch growing up, but he has also had the pleasure of playing with and against some of the best in the sport.
Ahead of England’s dismantling of Wales, the La Rochelle star took the time to talk to ITV about who his favourite rugby players were and who would be on his Mount Rushmore.
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Sale Sharks stars Sébastien Chabal and Jason Robinson were named among the four players the former British and Irish Lion named as his favourites, partly due to supporting the club as a child.
Nowell believed most people would be surprised by who he named as the third player that needs to be selected for this social media trend, Nic White.
The former Australian international was a teammate of Nowell’s at Exeter Chiefs, and he clearly made an impression on the winger on and off the pitch.
Ronan O’Gara was named as the fourth and final player on this Mount Rushmore for a unique reason, as Nowell joked that he would love a new contract at La Rochelle.
The 32-year-old’s contract at the French club is set to expire at the end of the 2027 season, and so he may have hoped his compliment to the Irish legend may help him get an extension, as he appears to be loving life on the Atlantic coast.
Nowell did name the one player that he would never put among the top four players to play the sport in his opinion.
He said: “Honourable mention to Luke Cowan-Dickie, but there is no way I would put him up there, as he would never let me hear the end of it.
“I’m going to say it. Ronan O’Gara, he is my coach, so maybe another contract.”
Topics: England, Rugby, Rugby Union
Brendan McGilligan