Ireland legend Paul O'Connell names his top 5 rugby players of all time

byRugby Rucker

Johnson – you felt his presence the entire game.

Paul O’Connell, one of Ireland’s most iconic rugby warriors, has never backed down from a challenge.

Across 108 caps for Ireland, the towering lock stood tall through Six Nations glory, a Grand Slam in 2009, and four British & Irish Lions tours – including captaining the famous 2009 trip to South Africa.

Now turning his attention to coaching, O’Connell recently looked back on his bruising career to reveal the five toughest opponents he ever faced – and some of the names will send chills down any forward’s spine.

? Victor Matfield – “He could destroy your lineout”

Position: Lock
Country: South Africa
Caps: 127

Matfield wasn’t just a brilliant second-row – he was a

lineout surgeon. Awarded Man of the Match in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, the Springbok was renowned for his athleticism, vision, and tactical nous.

“I tried not to fear any opponent,” O’Connell said. “But any international second-row will tell you that Matfield had the ability to destroy your lineout. He very rarely made any mistakes.”

? Jonny Wilkinson – “He could beat better teams on his own”

Position: Fly-half
Country: England
Caps: 91

Who else? Wilkinson’s iconic right-footed drop-goal sealed England’s 2003 World Cup win and cemented his status as one of the sport’s true greats. With 1,246 points to his name, only Dan Carter sits above him in Test rugby’s scoring charts.

“His drop goals, penalties, territorial kicking – it was so hard to get a foothold in the game. He could punish you from anywhere.”

? Martin Johnson – “He had a presence”

Position: Lock
Country: England
Caps: 83

A natural-born leader. Johnson captained the Lions to glory in 1997 and lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003. You didn’t just play against

“He was absolutely someone to be admired.”

? Jerry Collins – “He’d just destroy people”

Position: Flanker
Country: New Zealand
Caps: 48

No fluff here – O’Connell kept it short and brutal.

“He’d just destroy people!”

And honestly, that’s all that needed to be said about the late, great All Black enforcer.

? Bakkies Botha – The enforcer

Position: Lock
Country: South Africa
Caps: 85

A walking wrecking ball, Botha helped power the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007 and then dominated Europe with Toulon, winning three Champions Cups.