#2. Paul O’Connell & Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Owens said: “I’m classing this as a joint-ticket as whenever I seemed to ref Ireland in their day O’Driscoll was captain and O’Connell was vice-skipper.
“O’Driscoll actually used to tell me if there were issues with the forwards then I should chat to O’Connell.
I found them excellent to deal with.”
Brian O’Driscoll facts:
- He is devoted to Manchester United and his boyhood hero was Mark Hughes
- O’Driscoll married actress Amy Huberman in July 2010 in Lough Rynn Castle
- His father, Frank, played two games for Ireland and an uncle, Barry, won four caps
- He appeared three times for the invitational Barbarians rugby team
- O’Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships
#1. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Owens said: “My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was. He unfailingly put his body on the line throughout his career — recall the 38 tackles he made when France knocked the All Blacks out of the 2007 World Cup — led by example and understood the game very well.”
