England wonderkid dubbed ‘special talent’ by Sir Clive Woodward didn't even like rugby - Page 3 of 3 - Ruck

England wonderkid dubbed ‘special talent’ by Sir Clive Woodward didn’t even like rugby

#4. Ollie Smith

  • Position: Centre
  • Total caps: 5

Woodward tipped the centre to be a global superstar towards the end of his England reign. Although he was initially ignored by Andy Robinson, Smith came into the reckoning for the 2005 Six Nations and was named as part of an enlarged British and Irish Lions squad in 2005.

However, Smith struggled to nail down a regular spot in England squads and he left Leicester Tigers in 2008 after a loss of form.

#5. Will Green

  • Position: Prop
  • Total caps: 4

Green had previously played for various England youth teams alongside the likes of Will Greenwood, Matt Dawson, Simon Shaw and Richard Hill.

After making his England debut against Australia in November 1997, Green went on to make 4 appearances for the national team. He was considered an outside candidate to be part of Clive Woodward’s ultimately victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup winning squad.

However, he was overlooked in the end, despite getting his 4th and final cap against Wales in one of England’s warm up games prior to the World Cup, and being in the wider 43-man squad.