Paul O'Connell showed absolutely no love for modern rugby players with his Dream XV.
The Ireland and Munster legend saved praise for only his fiercest opponents or best teammates in his autobiography, The Battle.
#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Jason Robinson (England)
- 14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
- 11. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
#CENTRES:
- 13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
- 12. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
O'Connell on O'Driscoll: “He set the standard for players across the board. He was a complete player and that’s what everybody aspires to be, the complete player both in defence and attack. That’s what Brian did for us. Irish rugby struggled in the 1990s and we play with a lot more confidence now. A lot of that has come on the back of Brian’s play and his own attitude.”
O'Connell on Wilkinson: "I played against him when he was with Toulon at the end of my career, and his ability to punish you with drop-goals, with his penalties, with his territory kicking game, it was so hard to get a foothold in his game. He could beat better teams almost on his own."
#HALFBACKS:
- 10. Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
- 9. Peter Stringer (Ireland)
O'Connell on O'Gara: "He was the best tactical kicker in the world. He did it almost on autopilot. I love how he could run flat out then spiral a kick into the corner almost out of nowhere."
Munster's Ronan O'Gara kicks for a penalty - Photo mandatory by-line: Rob Noyes/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 09/10/2010 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - HEINEKEN CUP - POOL 3 - LONDON IRISH v MUNSTER - FRIDAY - MADEJSKI STADIUM - READING
#FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Mako Vunipola (England)
- 2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
- 3. Adam Jones (Wales)
Mako Vunipola of England during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
- 5. Martin Johnson (England)
O'Connell on Matfield: "I tried not to fear any opponent, but any international second-row will tell you that Matfield had the ability to destroy your lineout. He's the best lineout operator I played against. He very rarely made any mistakes."
O'Connell on Johnson: "He had a presence. He was a fabulous player, absolutely someone to be admired."
#BACK-ROW:
- 6. Richard Hill (England)
- 7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
- 8. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
O'Connell on Hill: "He was a guy who always led by example rather than with his words."
