England has endured a varied history in the Rugby World Cup, having triumphed in 2003 but having lost two finals, 1991 and 2007, while also experiencing the humiliation of being knocked out in the pool when they hosted the tournament in 2015.
In those 28 years, nevertheless, there have plenty of standout performers in every position on the park, although some years will definitely be easier than others to pick out one starring individual.
Starting with 1987, RUCK.co.uk Editor-In-Chief Steven Smith picks out the player whose performances most caught our attention from every edition of the competition.
YOUR SAY:
England's best player at every Rugby World Cup:
1987: Mike Harrison
The England winger captained the team at the tournament and scored five tries in three pool games to help the men in white finish second in the pool. However, England went onto lose to Wales in the quarter-finals, thought by some to have been the worst match of the tournament.
1991: Mick Skinner
'The Munch' made just four appearances in the 1991 tournament, but one moment alone will live long in the memory. With the quarter-final against France in Paris delicately poised at 10-10, Les Bleus had a scrum 5m out and looked set to score as Marc Cecillon picked up the ball and headed to the line. Skinner, though, now only hit Cecillon hard, but he picked up the France No.8 and drove him back, allowing England to turn over possession.
1995: Rob Andrew
In the quarter final in Cape Town between England and Australia, the flyhalf kicked this winning drop-goal to secure the victory for the English. It knocked the previous World Champion Wallabies out of the tournament, and resulted in a 25-22 win.
1999: Jonny Wilkinson
The 20-year-old scored 32 points as England started the tournament strongly. England was out in the quarters, but Woodward had found his main man for the next World Cup and we all know how that turned out.
2003: Martin Johnson
While Jonny Wilkinson was the face of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, the captain was the lifeline – the heart behind the team. Johnson was one of the finest locks to ever play; big, strong and tough, both physically and mentally, equipped with a huge motor he was one of the few who truly led by example, with the ability to inspire and lift all those around him.
2007: Jason Robinson
Saying his goodbye to Test rugby, fullback Jason Robinson displayed he was one of England’s genuine world-class players. Despite the pain of being forced off injured in the final he played a major part in England’s shock victories against Australia and France.
2011: Chris Ashton
A less than stellar tournament for England. But Ashton finished as the tournament's joint-leading try-scorer with six. He'd go onto win 44 caps, scoring 20 tries.
2015: Joe Launchbury
This tournament wasn't great for anyone, but the Wasps second-row probably clinches it. He followed up his big display against Australia with another dominant display against an Uruguay pack that struggled to contain him both as a carrier and line-out presence. Showed he had a big future and has delivered since.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading