BACK THREE
“A great France fullback who dominated games.”
Roff was a key part of Australia’s golden era, winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup and scoring 30 tries in 86 Tests. A complete winger with pace, skill, and a brilliant rugby brain.
“You’d put David Campese up there, but Roff is my choice. A fantastic all-round rugby player, an old-school wing.”
The most feared winger in history, Lomu’s 15 Rugby World Cup tries and bulldozing runs changed the game forever.
“Not much difficulty in choosing one of the most awesome wings to have ever played.”
CENTRES
Sella was the first player to win 100 caps for France and remains one of the most complete centres the game has ever seen.
“I used to watch him as a kid on TV and think he was brilliant. Then I played against him, and he was still brilliant. If you hit him, it was like running into concrete.”
One of the best centres never to play in a Rugby World Cup due to South Africa’s sporting exile. Gerber had electric pace and scored 19 tries in just 24 Tests.
“He didn’t play many Tests because of apartheid, but he had power and pace. I played against him in a charity match in 1996 when he was in his 40s – he was still awesome.”
HALFBACKS
A clutch player under pressure, Wilkinson famously kicked England to World Cup glory in 2003 and remains one of the best defensive 10s in history.
“I could have gone for Phil Bennett, Michael Lynagh, Stephen Larkham or others, but Jonny is special – not just for his kicking.”
Widely regarded as the greatest scrum-half ever, Edwards was the heartbeat of Wales’ dominant team in the 1970s.
“The Welsh have put mythical status on Edwards and their 1970s players, but Rob Howley was almost as good. Joost van der Westhuizen was the best scrum-half I played against.”
FRONT ROW
Leonard played in four Rugby World Cups, won in 2003, and retired as England’s most-capped player with 114 appearances.
“Solid as a rock, was regularly asked to play on both sides of the scrum and never moaned.”
One of the toughest leaders in rugby history, Fitzpatrick won the inaugural World Cup in 1987 and captained the All Blacks 51 times.
“Played for the All Blacks for ten years, a fantastic competitor and a great captain.”
A formidable scrummager, Garuet helped France reach the 1987 Rugby World Cup final.
“From the old school of scrummagers, a nuggety, fierce-looking guy.”
SECOND ROW
Voted South Africa’s greatest player of the 20th century, du Preez was a complete forward with a massive work rate.
Nicknamed ‘Pinetree,’ Meads was the ultimate enforcer and is widely regarded as the greatest All Black of all time.
“Both Du Preez and Meads played in the 1960s but were very modern players. Meads was the greatest ever All Black; Frik was very quick and athletic. I wasn’t in their league.”
BACK ROW
One of England’s most underrated stars, Hill was a key part of the 2003 World Cup-winning squad and a defensive powerhouse.
“If he didn’t play, we didn’t win. He’d be embarrassed to be in this side, but he deserves it.”
One of the greatest open-side flankers ever, Jones was a dominant force for the All Blacks in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“Sean Fitzpatrick says he was the greatest player he ever played against – a mythical figure.”
‘Buck’ Shelford was renowned for his physicality and famously played on after having his scrotum ripped open in a match.
“I saw him charge down the flank, chip the ball over the wing, and score a try. Not bad for a back row.”
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LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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