Jonny Wilkinson was one of the greatest fly-halves rugby has ever produced.
However, the England World Cup winner did not include himself when asked to name the No.10s he most admired.
The 2003 hero was picking a non-English Rugby World Cup dream team for Sky Sports.
When it came to fly-half, Wilkinson refused to settle on just one player.
“This is the key position for any World Cup-winning team,” he said.
“You need guys that are going to lead and continue to do so right to the final seconds when it gets very, very tough.”
His five choices included two Australians, two All Blacks and South Africa’s 1995 World Cup-winning hero.
Michael Lynagh
The former Wallabies captain was the first name Wilkinson mentioned.
Lynagh was one of the defining fly-halves of the 1980s and early 1990s, winning 72 caps for Australia and playing a major role in their 1991 World Cup triumph.
Cool under pressure and hugely reliable from the boot, he finished his Test career as the world’s leading points scorer.
Dan Carter
No modern fly-half list is complete without Carter.
The All Blacks legend won two World Cups, was named World Rugby Player of the Year three times and remains the leading points scorer in men’s Test rugby.
Carter’s performance in the 2015 World Cup final against Australia is still one of the great No.10 displays. The New Zealander controlled the game before landing a crucial drop goal.
It is little surprise that Carter featured near the top when RUCK recently debated the greatest fly-halves of all time.
Joel Stransky
Stransky’s name will always be linked to one of rugby’s most famous moments.
The fly-half kicked the extra-time drop goal as South Africa beat New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final at Ellis Park.
It was the tournament that changed the Springboks’ place in world rugby, and Stransky was central to it.
Stephen Larkham
Larkham began his international career at full-back before becoming the creative force in Australia’s golden generation.
He won the 1999 World Cup and famously kicked a huge drop goal against South Africa in the semi-final.
The Wallabies great was more than a tactical kicker, though. At his best, Larkham was one of the most natural attacking fly-halves in the game.
Grant Fox
Fox was the metronome of New Zealand’s 1987 World Cup-winning side.
The All Black was not known for the flashy parts of the game, but his accuracy and control made him vital. He scored 126 points during the inaugural World Cup, a tournament record at the time.
No room for Wilkinson himself
Wilkinson’s choices make for a fascinating list.
There is no place for himself, despite his match-winning drop goal against Australia in the 2003 final. Other big names, including Johnny Sexton, Beauden Barrett, Handré Pollard and Owen Farrell, also miss out.
Wilkinson did, however, take top spot in our own all-time top 10, ahead of Carter and Barry John.
