THE MAN JUST cannot be stopped. After six seasons in rugby league, then three in union, then two more in league and finally six more in union, Brad Thorn will play on into his 40th year with Leicester Tigers this season.

Thorn suffered a season-ending injury with the Highlanders earlier this year that called his career into question but the New Zealander is being brought to Leicester by Richard Cockerill to compete with Ed Slater and Graham Kitchener.

Thorn endeared himself to a lot of Irish fans during his Heineken Cup-winning season with Leinster with his professionalism and dedication. He outlined his work ethic and the influence his dad had on him in a pretty cool video a few days ago.

Apparently the reason for his raspy voice is that he took a clothesline from hell as a youngster in rugby league but it really just adds to his mystique. Here’s hoping he will be involved when Ulster play Leicester in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Munster hooker Sherry set for six more months on the sidelines

‘I need to work harder than everyone else’ – Ulster’s Franco van der Merwe