The Rugby World Cup is the best sporting event in the world (no arguing) and as such, it is the ultimate goal of every player that pulls on their countries jersey.
The all-time greats who achieved that goal like Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Francois Pienaar, Brian O’Driscoll, David Campese and Jonah Lomu are easily remembered.
But there is an impressive list of great players who for one reason or another did not make it to the quadrennial tournament.
And RUCK.co.uk gives our list of the Top 5 Players Never to Play in a Rugby World Cup.
1. Stuart Barnes
Whenever southern hemisphere sides toured England in the 1980s and early ’90s, they could never understand why the ‘Bath Barrel’ was passed over for the patient and reliable Rob Andrew. Can now be heared enjoying the sound of his own voice on Sky Sports’ rugby coverage.