Legacies are made at the Six Nations. Throughout the competition’s decorated history, the Northern Hemisphere’s finest rugby players have established themselves on this grand stage, producing memorable moments which will last a lifetime. With the inclusion of Italy in 2000, the past 22 Championships have moulded the careers of some of the most iconic players.
Each competing nation has a player who they hail as ‘the greatest’, yet specifically on the Six Nations stage, who stands above the rest for their countrymen. The 2023 tournament is fast approaching, with the opening weekend kicking off on Saturday 4th February. Lets review our picks for the tournament’s greatest player, for each of the six competing nations.
Italy – Sergio Parisse
Italy’s one and only. In a conversation which provokes a great debate amongst rugby’s old and young fans, there is no doubt in who the undisputed standard bearer for the ‘gli Azzurri’ is. Sergio Parisse, Italy’s evergreen who has played 142 times for his country over 16 years. Martin Castrogiovanni is an honorable mention, yet Parisse’s unfaltering leadership, and consistancy in the Italian eight jersey gives him the advantage.
The back rower took up the Italian captaincy in 2008, aged just 24, and held it for a remarkable 13 years until 2021. The 2008 Six Nations saw Parisse mark his new leadership with a victory over Scotland. His efforts were acknowledged in being shortlisted for the 2008 IRB World Player of the Year Award.
Parisse was the fabled leader in the Italian squad which caused many an upset throughout the late 2000’s and into the early 2010’s. He scored a milestone try as Italy recorded a famous 2013 victory over France, and bestowed the belief in his countrymen which saw them beat Ireland for the first time ever, and pass on the wooden spoon in a fourth placed table finish. The all-time leading Six Nations appearance holder with 69 caps, Parisse has witnessed the highs and lows of Italy’s time in the competition.
Italy are now with a promising crop of talented youngsters, led by talisman Paolo Garbisi. Expectations are building once again, after they ended their seven year Six Nations run without a win, in the dramatic 22-21 victory over Wales. Parisse is still active at the top of his game, playing for Toulon in the Top 14. A rumoured Italy return could be on the horizon, for the living legend to have a definitive and rightly deserved send-off on his international career, after the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic unfairly closed the doors on his adoring supporters.
DID YOU KNOW: Sergio Parisse was born in La Plata, Argentina.
Ireland – Brian O’Driscoll
The King of the Six Nations. Jonny Sexton, Ronan O’Gara, Paul O’Connell all come close, but O’Driscoll stands above with the unmatchable accolades to prove it. The only player in history to have won the decorated Six Nations Player of the Tournament three times, as he achieved the feat in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
With 26 Six Nations tries across 15 campaigns, O’Driscoll is rightfully considered the finest centre the tournament has ever witnessed. Four tries to the better than second placed George North, O’Driscoll stands tall above the Championship’s greatest try-scorers, with a record that has now stood for nine years.
Making his Six Nations debut in 2000, O’Driscoll’s hat-trick against France marked his arrival on the grandest stage. Ireland fans would soon wear the slogan ‘In BOD We Trust’ on their t-shirts and hats, as the tricky-footed Dubliner established himself as Ireland’s talisman.
Awarded Irish captaincy in 2003, the 2000’s soon became the era of O’Driscoll. Back-to-back Triple Crown successes in 2006 and 2007 saw Ireland get the better of their home nation counterparts. The pinnacle achievement was the 2009 unbeaten Grand Slam and long awaited title as Six Nations Champion. Ending his international career as 2014 Six Nations Champion, O’Driscoll could not have wrapped up his legacy in any more of a fitting way.
DID YOU KNOW: Brian O’Driscoll is a big Manchester United fan.