Oldies XV: The classy 30-somethings still dominating Test rugby including Springboks and England legends
The talk of the town might be the green shoots of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Chandler Cunningham-South and?Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but there are still some experienced heads dominating the Test arena.?
Across the international scene, there are plenty of elder statesmen who will be looking to help their team over the line in July; but who are the best of the bunch?
With that thought in mind, here is a look at an ‘oldies (I’m sorry) XV’.
15 Willie le Roux (South Africa, 34)
Kicking things off is Springboks icon Willie le Roux, who at 34-years-old is still a key figure in Rassie Erasmus’ side. The current Bulls full-back made his Test debut back in 2013, and has since amassed 93 caps.
He has also helped South Africa win back-to-back World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
14 Alapati Leiua (Samoa, 35)
Versatile Samoa back Alapati Leiua takes the number 14 shirt in our XV. The 35-year-old made his international debut in 2013, and has since won 33 caps for his country to date.
After featuring for both Wellington and the Hurricanes, Leiua made the switch to the Premiership to join Wasps, and later went on to make over 100 appearances for Bristol Bears.
13 Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji, 34)
Sale Sharks bound Waisea Nayacalevu slots in at 13 in the team. The current Fiji skipper made his Test debut in 2012, and has won 40 caps at the time of writing.
The centre made his professional debut for Stade Fran?ais that same year, and after making 200 appearances left for Toulon, and is now on his way to Greater Manchester with Sale.
He was not involved in their recent clash with the Barbarians, but looks set to return to the squad for their clash with New Zealand later this month.
12 Jerónimo de la Fuente (Argentina, 33)
Joining the Fijian in midfield is current Argentina centre?Jerónimo de la Fuente. The Perpignan man made his senior debut for Los Pumas in 2014, and has registered 76 appearances since.
He was a part of the Argentina squad at the World Cup, and helped his team reach the semi-finals.
11 Liam Williams (Wales, 33)
Welsh rugby icon Liam Williams is back on the Test stage and straight into our team. The British and Irish Lions back made his full Wales debut in 2012, and has since gone onto win 90 caps for his country.
After missing the World Cup, Williams made his return in the 41-13 defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.
10 AJ MacGinty (USA, 34)
Irish-native AJ MacGinty made his USA debut in 2015, and has since won 35 caps. He made his senior club debut with Connacht the same year, but was quickly snapped up by Sale Sharks.
He spent six years in Greater Manchester, before joining Bristol Bears ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
9 Conor Murray (Ireland, 35)
Munster scrum-half Conor Murray has been a core member in this dominant Irish team. Murray made his Ireland debut in 2011 and has won 116 caps during his international career. He has also been on three British and Irish Lions tours.
Murray has helped guide Ireland to five Six Nations titles.
8 Oj Noa (Samoa, 34)
Kicking things off in the pack is Samoan back-rower Olajuwon Noa. Despite his professional career beginning in 2014, Noa made his Test debut in 2021 and has five caps to his name.
The versatile forward currently plays for MLR side NOWA, after joining from Bayonne in November.
7 Michael Leitch (Japan, 35)
Japanese rugby icon Michael Leitch has been integral to the growth of the Brave Blossoms in recent years. The New Zealand-native made his international debut for Japan in 2008, and has gone onto win over 80 caps for his adopted nation.
Leitch was initially made captain in 2014 by Eddie Jones, and led his team into their home World Cup in 2019.
6 Peter O’Mahony (Ireland, 34)
From one captain to another now, in the form of Ireland skipper Peter O’Mahony. O’Mahony made his Ireland debut in 2012, and has since won 105 caps. He has been an integral part of their recent success, helping his nation lift five Six Nations titles.
He has also been on one British and Irish Lions tour, and led the side in the opening Test against New Zealand in 2017. The powerful flanker has since skippered his country into a World Cup.
5 Franco Mostert (South Africa, 33)
The second Springbok in our team is towering second-rower Franco Mostert. Mostert made his debut for South Africa in 2016, but has been a mainstay in the side, notching 72 caps for his country.
During that time, he has also helped the Springboks win back-to-back World Cups, and was heavily involved in their series win over the Lions in 2021.
4 Greg Peterson (USA, 33)
Joining Mostert in the second-row is Greg Peterson. The second USA international in our team, Peterson made his international debut in 2014, and has since gone on to win 42 caps.
He was also a part of their squad for the 2015 World Cup.
3 Dan Cole (England, 37)
The oldest member of this squad is England cult hero Dan Cole. The tighthead prop made his England debut in 2010, and has since won 113 caps for his country.
He has also been on two British and Irish Lions tours, and helped England to win three Six Nations titles and reached the World Cup final in 2019.
2 Jamie George (England, 33)
Joining compatriot Cole in our front-row is current England captain Jamie George. The Saracens hooker made his Test debut in 2015, however became an ever-present in the starting shirt in 2017. Since his debut, he has amassed 90 caps for his country, and was named captain ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.
He has also been on two British and Irish Lions tours.
1 Trevor Nyakane (South Africa, 35)
Rounding off our team is Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane.?Nyakane made his debut for the Boks in 2013, and has since gone onto win 67 caps for his country.
He has also helped his country win two back-to-back World Cups, and was involved in their series victory over the Lions in 2021.
READ NEXT:?Conrad Smith calls for ‘absolute respect’ for referees after ‘vile’ World Cup abuse