Lawrence Dallaglio picks Farrell over Wilkinson in his all-time England XV

Rugby News
Tuesday, 09 September 2025 at 13:38
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During an appearance on Jim Hamilton's podcast 'The Big Jim Show', Lawrence Dallaglio revealed his all-time England team, which surprisingly did not include Jonny Wilkinson.
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Despite being a World Cup-winning fly-half for England, Jonny Wilkinson was omitted from Dallaglio's chosen lineup.
Hamilton recognised the significance of Wilkinson's omission stating that "This is headline news you know."
The three-time British and Irish Lion insisted that the decision to not include Wilkinson, and instead opt for Owen Farrell was "not personal."
"Jonny was a brilliant rugby player, won us a lot of games, he won us the World Cup final." Dallagio said.
"If Jonny picks his all time XV, which he has... I don't think I made the cut. But again, it's not personal by the way, it's not personal, I promise you it's not personal.
"I just think that if you put Farrell in that team England win as well, so what's the beef?"
On the other hand, Hamilton made the decision to have Farrell as the fly-half and Wilkinson as the inside centre. It is worth noting that Dallaglio's team consisted of 11 players from the 2003 World Cup winning squad, but neither Jason Leonard nor Kyran Bracken were part of the starting lineup in the final.
Both players were included on the bench, with Leonard being the only one who ultimately entered the field during the triumphant match against Australia.

JIM HAMILTON'S ALL-TIME ENGLAND XV:

1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George
3. Phil Vickery
4. Martin Johnson
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Lawrence Dallaglio
7. Lewis Moody
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Harry Ellis
11. James Simpson-Daniel
10. Owen Farrell
12. Jonny Wilkinson
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Jack Nowell
15. Jason Robinson

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO'S ALL-TIME ENGLAND XV:

Front Row:
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Jamie George of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Loosehead Prop: Jason Leonard
Hooker: Jamie George
Tighthead Prop: Phil Vickery
Locks:
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Second Row: Martin Johnson
Second Row: Maro Itoje

Back Row:

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Blindside Flanker: Richard Hill
Openside Flanker: Neil Back
Number Eight: Billy Vunipola

Half Backs:

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Scrum Half: Kyran Bracken
Fly Half: Owen Farrell

Centres:

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Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Inside Centre: Manu Tuilagi
Outside Centre: Will Greenwood

Back Three:

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MELBOURNE - JUNE 21: Jason Robinson of England charges forward during the Rugby Union Test Match between Australia and England held on June 21, 2003 at The Telstra Dome, in Melbourne, Australia. England won the match 25-14. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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