10 Rugby League Stars We'd Love to See in Rugby Union

For those select few versatile enough to adapt, the transition from rugby league to union can be an appetising venture and one that former South Sydney Rabbitohs talisman Sam Burgess recently embarked upon.

Down the years, stars have tried their hand at converting with mixed success. For every Jason Robinson, there sits a failed experiment such as Benji Marshall; for every Sonny Bill Williams, a Henry Paul, unable to hit the heights of their league success.

Examining the cream of the league crop, we've picked out a selection of players who would be welcome additions to the 15-a-side code, offering different potential in each case.

1. Josh Charnley

One of the Super League's hottest prospects, Josh Charnley has been a key component to any success Wigan Warriors have enjoyed in recent years and will surely excel for years to come.

The winger-cum-centre isn't the most defensively capable of weapons, but such is the prolific scoring record he possesses—Charnley grabbed 21 tries in 20 Super League outings last year—it's an acceptable sacrifice.

Standing at six foot and weighing just over 14 stone, the Lancashire native is no stranger to the gym, as the attached video shows, which lends itself well to his dynamism off the flanks.

While others thrive in the crash-ball aspect of league, Charnley has a knack for finding gaps where others may not see them, a rarely elusive talent who could offer grand competition in Stuart Lancaster's wide areas.

2. George Burgess

Union fans are a greedy bunch, and what better way to maintain Burgess-mania than by adding younger brother George to the Aviva Premiership fraternity, too?

The Daily Telegraph (h/t ESPN Scrum) reported in October that Gloucester were looking to splurge some of their riches on the 22-year-old, whom elder sibling Sam left behind in Sydney.

After the Bath centre, George stands as the second-brightest of the Burgess bunch, although given his age, it's not out of the question that he could one day go on to better his former Rabbitohs team-mate.

As one would expect, the Burgess household was also kind to George come supper time, with the prop bringing a daunting 120-kilogram frame to the table, a good 10 pounds heavier than Sam.

One could see the England league international lining up at No. 8, playing in a similarly bruising fashion to his older brother. 

3. James Graham

From Merseyside originally, the Premiership could offer 2014 Dally M Team of the Year nominee James Graham an amicable homecoming at some point in his career.

It's only been two-and-a-half years since the 29-year-old made the switch from St. Helens to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where he offers a more nimble approach at prop.

Despite being among some of the lighter assets in his position at 17 stone, Graham has proven a tenacious character, a player whose will and grit sometimes verges into displays of over-aggressive behaviour.

If he were to succeed in union, that side of the England international may need tinkering, but he could perhaps carve out a future for himself as a flanker if he possessed the right acumen.

4. Akuila Uate

The likes of Nemani Nadolo, Vereniki Goneva and Napolioni Nalaga have encouraged a fascination among Fijian union players, with Akuila Uate sitting as one of their league counterparts.

Although it would be amazing to see a player possessing Uate's flair under 15-a-side circumstances, the winger would be a massive risk, not too dissimilar to that of the aforementioned Blues flop Marshall.

The speedster has represented the Newcastle Knights his entire career, named Dally M Winger of the Year on three occasions and boasts a stellar record of 97 tries in just 129 games.

However, his form has declined in the past year or so. Still only 27, what better time to see if his pace could see him revive a career in Super Rugby, perhaps?

Handling skills pending, Uate would require a mass of space to open up in front of him before damaging teams at his optimum and may struggle under pressure, but just to see what the nimble magician is capable of in union would be a delight.

5. Sam Tomkins

The notion of Sam Tomkins making the transition to union is one that's been tossed about for a long time, and among this list of highly unlikely converts, he actually sits as a very plausible option.

Around this time last year, the New Zealand Warriors utility addressed the rumours, quoted by ESPN Scrum as saying:

"

I'd like to try rugby union. It's not something that's on any time scale at the moment, but I'm 24 and hopefully I've got a number of years left in me, so at some point I'd like to give union a crack. It happens quite a lot now, look at Israel Folau. Kyle Eastmond in England has done it and converted well, as my brother [Joel] has. To be a dual code international is certainly something I'd like on my CV.

I hope [Burgess] does really well. He has put himself in a position where because of how good he's been over the last four years, he's given himself the opportunity to do whatever he wants in either code. Fair play to him. He's done plenty for rugby league, certainly English rugby league and proving that Englishmen can not only stand up in the NRL, but be among the best players. I'm sure he'll take rugby union by storm.

"

During his days with Wigan Warriors, Tomkins was consistently revered as one of, if not the best player in Super League, with NRL teams taking notice as New Zealand Warriors won the race for his services last year.

The 2012 Man of Steel winner has shown his versatility in league and perhaps wouldn't be a million miles from current England incumbent fullback Mike Brown in terms of style—albeit perhaps more of an offensive threat.

6. Trent Hodkinson

One of the National Rugby League's nice guys, Bulldogs half-back Trent Hodkinson excelled far beyond his previous heights in 2014 and painted himself as among the elite in his position.

Alongside club half-back partner Josh Reynolds, Hodkinson made his State of Origin debut for the New South Wales Blues, proceeding to end Queensland's eight-year grip on the title.

Not only that, but the diminutive maestro aided the Bulldogs in their run to the NRL Grand Final to cap off a superb year, and at 26, there's plenty more to come.

His place-kicking ability is among the most reliable in the southern hemisphere, and Hodkinson's playmaking skills are far from shabby.

Half-backs aren't often spoken of as union convert candidates, but if the NSW star were to make the switch, he surely has the technical know-how—combined with a welcome splicing of brute—to make waves.

7. Daryl Clark

Daryl Clark was one of a number of Castleford Tigers stars to dominate the Super League's end-of-season awards in 2014, taking the Man of Steel mantle as his own.

It wasn't long after that announcement that Warrington Wolves signed the hooker on a four-year deal, making his move to union nothing more than a pipe dream under the current circumstances.

With 16 tries in 22 appearances across the 2014 campaign, Clark wasn't even in the Super League's top 10 try scorers, but his game is about much more than just crossing over the line.

A tireless work ethic also led the 21-year-old to a magnificent haul of nine Man of the Match awards, and if he were to convert, his middle-range stature and versatility opens him up to a spot in the back row or even back line.

8. Greg Inglis

Greg Inglis has an athleticism that almost leaves one under the impression he could do it all in the same manner that Sonny Bill Williams has; league or union, as long as he's as fast, fit and physical as he is, it matters little.

The Rabbitohs talisman has spoken openly of a code switch in the past, too, revealing in October that he had rejected a Top 14 club's offer of a $2 million contract, per Greg Davis of the Courier Mail:

"

I’m not going to lie. There’s been a few offers over the years but that was the one that I was umming and ahhing about. I went and told the club that this was a potential move but I’m not going to pursue it this time because I’ll be concentrating on the ultimate goal of winning a premiership with Souths.

You always imagine yourself playing another sport. It’s just picking the right time to go. There’s always doors to be pushed open to see what’s on the other side. I’m doing what I love—playing league. I’d love to finish my career in rugby league but who knows?

"

Following the Rabbitohs' 2014 triumph, Inglis can check that Premiership goal off his list of things to do, and union would be more than happy to embrace his talents.

One could certainly expect the big-spending giants of France to raise their hands for the utility back's services should he become available. Inglis has that rare combination of size, strength, speed and skills, evidencing the latter in his long line of seemingly impossible touchdowns from ridiculous angles.

The man is frankly a beast who happens to have a head on his shoulders, and if he were able to soak up enough knowledge, one could definitely envision him tearing up from midfield or offering a hulking presence on the wing.

9. Billy Slater

Having reigned as a Melbourne Storm icon since turning professional in 2003, it's highly unlikely that Billy Slater's career will end anywhere other than AAMI Park, but a person can dream.

In his decade-plus tenure with the Storm, Slater has set records as the club's all-time highest try scorer and no fullback in the National Rugby League has crossed the whitewash more times than him.

At 31 years of age, the Australian phenomenon is perhaps nearing his twilight years and, as such, wouldn't be the most ideal recruit. However, even in his advanced years, Slater offers one of the most reliable aerial presences in the sport.

10. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

New Zealand rugby union has a habit of consistently churning out some of the brightest prodigies in the sport, and it's good to see their league counterparts boast a similar proficiency with starlets such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Arguably the most promising youngster currently making his way through the NRL's ranks, the Sydney Rooster fullback already has significant international experience at the age of just 21.

In seven appearances for the Kiwis, Tuivasa-Sheck has scored eight tries, every one of which came during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, where he was just one shy of matching joint-top-scorers Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne.

Contending with players of that elite calibre already is an awesome feat, and the exciting thing about Tuivasa-Sheck is he's still young enough to mould into a union star.

Like Jason Robinson once did, the New Zealander has a terrifying step in his locker, challenging compatriot Shaun Johnson as the best in the sport in this regard.

His ability to sideline defenders at full pace is a joy to watch, but the All Blacks may only dream of seeing the Rooster contend for their fullback or wing spots as things currently stand.