"I’ve so much admiration for him" - Warren Gatland on the five players he would include in his all-time XV

During his three tours coaching the Lions, Warren Gatland coached some of the greatest players to have ever graced a rugby field.

Flying wingers, powerhouse forwards, colossal defenders: Gatz coached them all.

The Kiwi, who was a guest on BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast, paid tribute to the three best players he has ever coached.

Position: Winger

“Probably pound-for-pound, Shane Wiliams. He had some incredible brilliant attacking attributes,” Gatland said.

“But sometimes Shane could score three tries and let in two. But pound for pound he was unbelievable when he was at his best.”

DID YOU KNOW? Williams was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during opening ceremonies for the Hall's first physical home in Rugby, Warwickshire

Position: Number 8

“The best captain that I’ve ever been involved with was Lawrence Dallaglio.

“He had that unbelievable ability to motivate players in a way that I’ve never seen anyone else able to do. Particularly in the changing rooms,” Gatland explained.

“He’d talk the talk and then walk the walk. I’ve so much admiration for his leadership and honesty in that role.”

DID YOU KNOW? He went on three tours with the British and Irish Lions, winning three caps

Position: Back-row

“His leadership, attitude and demeanour, along with his performances, have placed Sam up there as one of the best and most respected players in the world. He finished with a record that he should be extremely proud of and should look back on his career with huge pride.”

DID YOU KNOW? Warburton was born in Wales to a Welsh mother and an English father and he considers himself Welsh and British

Position: Winger

“Probably the best player I’ve ever coached, [who] played for the All Blacks, Waikato and Clermont, was Sitiveni Sivivatu,” Gatland said.

“He tried to portray himself as this easy go, dumb-looking Fijian – but he wasn’t like that. He was a very, very intelligent rugby player. I saw him have the ability to make up moves during a game from the wing.

DID YOU KNOW? Sivivatu played for the inaugural Pacific Islanders rugby union team against the Australian Wallabies in 2004

Position: Outside-centre

GATLAND SAID: "In his prime, he was absolutely outstanding in terms of his rugby knowledge and leadership. He was always able to make players around him look better than they were."

DID YOU KNOW? He is the 8th-highest try scorer in international rugby union history, and the highest scoring centre of all time