Tadhg Furlong
Club: Leinster
Position: Tighthead prop
Age: 29
Height: 6ft
Weight: 125kg (19st 8lbs)
Ireland caps: 55
Points: 25
Why he's so important? Former All Black Carl Hayman raised the profile of the tighthead prop as a key figure in a team and was paid accordingly at Toulon as the world's best. Tadhg Furlong, by popular accord, has taken that mantle and raised the bar still higher. Quite apart from attending to his set piece duties with aplomb, his passing, general handling, footwork, mobility and game appreciation, tackling and work-rate are first class. England will try and work him hard in the set piece to drain energy levels but he rarely succumbs to such obvious intent.
Trivia: Mike Ruddock told the story behind Furlong's nickname, 'Jukebox'. The former Wales and Leinster coach, who had the Wexford prop at Ireland Under-20 level and had taken to calling Furlong 'The Mayor of Wexford,' explained: He [Furlong] said, 'call me the Jukebox'. I said, 'Why the Jukebox?' And he said, 'because the hits keep coming'. He was funny, not boastful, but he knew he could do it. That was the thing."
Ellis Genge
Club: Leicester Tigers
Position: Loosehead prop
Age: 27
Height: 6ft1in
Weight: 117kgs (18st 6lbs)
England caps: 34
Points: 15
Why he's so important? Grew up in the Knowle West council estate in Bristol and has spoken about how rugby potentially saved him from prison. As a young player with a short temper and a dislike of authority figures, particularly those who shouted at him, his first recourse to solving disputes was to use his fists. He wouldn't back down if confronted. As he matured – he is captain of the Leicester Tigers – he channelled that toughness into becoming the excellent rugby player he is today. His nickname of 'baby rhino' needs little elaboration in highlighting his ball carrying quality. He is a powerful, mobile prop who links the game well.
Trivia: He suffers from Dyspraxia DCD, which affects 'fine or gross motor skills,' and after one England game gave his jersey to a young boy who had been struggling in school and with whom the Genge had previously corresponded. He is known for his generosity in helping others, an example of which was donating a mobility scooter he used to get around while out with a knee injury to an elderly Tigers' supporter.
