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Care, Slade, Ford on 'freakish' Robinson vs Brown selection debate
By Liam Heagney
Three leading Gallagher Premiership players – Danny Care, Henry Slade and George Ford – have had their say on whether Jason Robinson or Mike Brown should be selected on the BT Sport Immortals XV team.
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The sports broadcaster has been getting fans to select their Immortals XV before the selection culminates in a round-table debate show on May 27 featuring Ugo Monye, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Kay and Austin Healey.
Marcos Ayerza, Schalk Brits, Martin Castrogiovanni, Maro Itoje, Martin Johnson, Joe Worsley, Neil Back, Dallaglio, Danny Care, Jonny Wilkinson, Chris Ashton, Will Greenwood and Manu Tuilagi have all topped fan polls in recent days and BT Sport have now added the views of some high-profile players to the Robinson versus Brown debate.
Harlequins scrum-half Care said: “Obviously, I have to pick Mike because he is one of my best mates, we have played 300-odd games together. But Jason Robinson is one of a kind.
“I used to watch him play rugby league; I was a big rugby league fan growing up, seeing what he did there and then the transition he made to then do it in union, I don’t think there has been anyone as successful as he has.
It’s not that easy picking the best XV of the last 20 years in @premrugby. You have to take into account winning consistently, trophies, longevity, impact, social interaction and bias! Lot of fun having a go with these guys today though. What would your team be? #PremImmortals pic.twitter.com/8raDe9iwHW
— Lawrence Dallaglio (@dallaglio8) May 9, 2023
“Making both codes look so easy is what he did. I always remember he skipped past me at Sale in one game, he had me one-on-one and did me… his feet were incredible. Sorry, Mike, I’m going to have to say Jason Robinson was the better player, but I’d pick you in my team.”
Exeter midfielder Slade added: “I’m going to have to go Jason Robinson. Sorry, Mike. Just remember watching him growing up, some of the stuff he was doing was freakish. I remember that try he set up for (Will Greenwood) in the quarter-final against Wales in 2003 – it was just mental how someone can be that quick.”
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Sale out-half Ford also chose the World Cup-winning Robinson. “When he came over from league he set the world alight. He was the guy who everyone watched. Changed the game almost really in terms of speed and beating people and being a threat. Every time he got the ball everyone was on the edge of their seats.”
BT Sport’s Premiership Immortals celebrates the greatest players in the history of Premiership Rugby. From May 4 until the Premiership final on May 27, fans will be able to have their say on who they think deserves to have a spot in the competition’s all-time team. Cast your vote btsport.com/immortals
