English rugby has produced some incredible talent over the years, but when it comes to picking the best, who would make it into England’s all-time greatest team?
We’ve put together a side of the players with the most caps, which includes Ben Youngs, who’ll win his 100th cap for his country against Italy tomorrow.
Fullback | Mike Brown – 72 caps: He was part of the England sides that beat Australia 3-0 in the 2016 summer tour as well as the victorious 2016 and 2017 RBS Six Nations campaigns. The fullback also represented his country at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, scoring twice in the opening match against Fiji.
Winger | Ben Cohen – 57: Cohen came to prominence in the successful Northampton side that lifted the Heineken Cup in 2000. A big, quick wing, his try-scoring ability brought him to the attention of England boss Clive Woodward, who made him a key part of his side.
Centre | Mike Tindall – 75: Arguably one of England’s most consistent performers of his era, Mike Tindall was a key member of the side that captured the Rugby World Cup crown in 2003. But his career, which was at times a stop-start affair because of injury, will unfairly be best remembered for his part in a wretched campaign at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where his behaviour in a Queenstown bar threatened to completely overshadow anything on the field.
Centre | Owen Farrell – 78: Full-blooded, ferocious, fearsome and now the front-runner – Owen Farrell’s rise to the captaincy of England has been a long time coming. A leader of men and a goalkicker of rare nerve – Farrell is the key cog for club and country.
Winger | Rory Underwood – 85: He was a lightning-quick and prolific winger for England between 1984 and 1996, during which time he amassed 85 caps for England and six for the British and Irish Lions.