SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- 5 Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
Jones: “A man of few words, he does his talking on the field with his actions. Not only is he a brilliant player and a very good captain but I don’t think I have reffed a match where he hasn’t given absolutely everything.”
O’Connell: “Quite simply he was just an exceptional leader. I have been in charge of games where he pretty much carried his team, whether it was Munster or Ireland, almost on his back and onto victory.”
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
- 7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
- 8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Owens on Dusautoir: “He was right up there as one of the best captains I have refereed and we greatly respected one another.”
On McCaw: “If anybody had to pick the greatest player in history, it would surely be a difficult choice between him and Gareth Edwards.”
On Parisse: “I’ve been fortunate to have refereed some tremendous No.8s during my career but Sergio is tops. He’s such a talented player and rarely has a bad game.”
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