"I’m influenced by hero-worshipping" - Lawrence Dallaglio Ranks His Top 5 Back-Rowers of All Time

One of the greatest opensides to ever play the game, the Englishman started in every Test he appeared in and twice toured New Zealand with the Lions

Dallaglio said: "Winterbottom or Neil Back? Perhaps I’m influenced by hero-worshipping Winterbottom in my younger days but I believe he had a fraction more than Back"

Did you know? He was nicknamed ‘Straw Man’ because of his thatch of blond hair

Richards is a former England and British & Irish Lions No.8 who was regarded as one of the world's best players in his position with the ability to read the game and he also had extraordinary pace for a back-row forward. He will often be remembered not just for his great teamwork but for his scruffy appearance on the field with his shirt un-tucked and his socks down by his ankles.

Dallaglio said: "What did Deano have that I didn’t have? A great right hook – something I can testify to. Seriously, he had the knack of making the game revolve around him. Brilliant."

He held the world record for a forward at the time of his retirement for scoring 17 tries in Test matches and was ranked eighth greatest player of all time on the list of “50 Greatest Rugby players” compiled by The Telegraph in 2007.

Dallaglio said: "So talented, so physical, such a great understanding of the game and so bloody competitive."

Jones revolutionised the position with his physical prowess, superior fitness and instinct for the ball, but while he was a joy to watch his career was often punctuated with time away from the field because of injury and his refusal to play on Sundays for religious reasons.

Dallaglio said: "He had everything. Quick, athletic, skilful, brave, and a great team player. There have been some great No 7s; Winterbottom, Back, George Smith, Richie McCaw but none as good as Jones."

The ultimate players’ player. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner.

Dallaglio said: "He was such a brilliant all-round forward. The thing about Hill is that even at the highest level, he didn’t make mistakes."