Best rugby players of all time ranked
A number of famous players have graced the rugby world stage throughout the history of the sport, taking part in a range of exciting national and global tournaments.
Of course, ranking players can be very subjective, but we took into account each player’s ability and performance, as well as their impact on the game.
It’s a big year for rugby with the Six Nations underway – and as competitive as ever – with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon this year.
RadioTimes.com brings you our round-up of the greatest and most influential rugby union players of all time.
10.Antoine Dupont (France)
We know what you’re thinking — it’s far too early to include the award-winning French scrum half in this list of greatest of all time. But the Les Bleus talisman is undoubtedly leading one of the most exciting teams on the international stage while helping to change perceptions of the sport.
It’s a real pleasure to watch the superstar’s world-class talent, with his flair and enthralling line breaks, which consistently proves to be a truly entertaining spectacle for club and country – with both teams often filling stadiums.
Players like Dupont, Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje are truly invigorating this technical sport, which is often viewed with certain snooty perceptions, for a brand new audience.
9. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest Italian rugby players of all time, Sergio Parisse is a hugely influential modern great of the game.
The towering 6ft 5 Backrower possesses the physique and skills of a Backrower, with his strength and leadership that have long seen him compete as one of the tallest No. 8s.
With a career spanning over twenty years and five Rugby World Cups, the 39-year-old Italian giant is the most capped player in Guinness Six Nations history – and still plays for top-14 side Toulon today.
8. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
It’s not often that a sports star goes up against the fastest living mammal, but Habana famously did it, demonstrating the sheer speed and acceleration of the legendary winger.
Before Springbok stars Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse stormed onto the stage, Bryan Habana ripped everything up as a top speedster. His scoring accuracy was second to none, but his interceptions were something special, especially against Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2007.
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The winger’s total caps surpassed 100 in his illustrious 12-year international career, making 67 attempts. He also matched Jonah Lomu’s record for the highest number of tries at Rugby World Cups (15).
7. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
A legendary player in Welsh rugby history, Edwards led an impressive national side that largely dominated the Northern Hemisphere.
The extremely talented Scrum half was a gifted playmaker and an all-round athlete. He is best known for one of the greatest rugby tries of all time for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 at Cardiff Arms Park.
Sir Gareth Edwards holds an enviable record, winning the Five Nations Championship as a scrum half an incredible 11 times between 1967 and 1978 and scoring 20 tries in his 53 Tests for Wales.
6. Martin Johnson (England)
With an incredible career spanning 16 years for both club and country, winning countless trophies and awards along the way, Martin Johnson is rightly considered one of the greatest rugby players in the history of the game.
Best known for captaining the dominant England side to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003, the 6ft 7 tall skipper had a real presence on the pitch, with an enviable talent for reading the game.
In 2001, Johnson became the first player to captain both the British and Irish Lions twice, and has been notable in all 10 Five/Six Nations tournaments since his debut. He also led Leicester Tigers to four consecutive Premiership titles.
5. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
The former captain of Ireland, Leinster Rugby and the British and Irish Lions will undoubtedly go down in history as the greatest and one of the most successful Irish players of all time.
The extremely talented center was an almost unstoppable force who scored some of the most incredible tries. His offloads, interceptions and dummy passes were also a sight to behold, with his 2009 grand slamming drop goal being one of his most magical moments.
He led his Ireland side to a notable Grand Slam and three Triple Crowns while setting the record 26 attempts in the Six Nations Championship. He is also the eighth highest try scorer in international rugby union history.
4. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
The Newcastle Falcons and Toulouse Fly-Half have certainly earned his place as one of the nation’s greatest players, with his in-game exploits cementing his place in English sporting history.
Best known for his superb kicking skills, Wilkinson also proved to be a genuinely dedicated team player with an impressive work rate, often excelling on his defensive work despite his jersey number and stature.
His iconic last breath in extra time earned him victory for England against Australia in the historic 2003 Rugby World Cup and inspired a whole generation at that exciting moment. He has also won an incredible number of awards and holds numerous world records, including most drop goals in an international career (36).
3rd Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Often hailed as the epitome of the perfect fly half, Carter went on to become one of the greatest defenders of the pro era.
The fly-half’s control and influence on the game was undeniable thanks to the dangerous combination of pinpoint shooting accuracy, playmaker vision and its run ability. Among his incredible achievements, scoring an unforgettable 33 points against the British and Irish Lions in 2005 is certainly a highlight.
During his time with the dominant All Black side, Carter became international rugby’s leading points-scorer with a total of 1,598 points and 112 caps. He was instrumental in their two World Cup victories, with his performances making him a three-time World Rugby Player of the Year winner.
2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
The famous flanker’s record-breaking 14-year career underscores his influential status as the All Blacks’ most decorated captain, leading his team to back-to-back world titles in 2011 and 2015.
Best known for his dangerous collapse skills, McCaw improved his game and became a highly gifted all-around talent with an enviable ball-carrying dynamic.
McCaw and teammate Dan Carter also set stunning super rugby records for the Canterbury Crusaders. With 148 caps for the All Blacks and numerous world records, McCaw is certainly one of the most successful and influential players on the national and international stage.
1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The all-black legend was an incredibly rare player and has long been regarded as rugby’s first global superstar – with a huge impact on the sport.
The winger rose to fame with an outstanding performance at the 1995 World Cup, scoring seven goals in five games, including four in the semi-finals against England. He followed that up with a record 15 tries during the 1999 Rugby World Cup tournament.
During his international career, his intense physicality and impressive speed resulted in a total of 63 caps and 37 tries, and his dominant performances helped increase the sport’s popularity worldwide.
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