In 2015, under the guidance of Heineken ambassadors Will Carling and John Smit, a group of 11 rugby union experts they assembled, created a list ranking the finest players to ever shine on the grandest platform of the sport.
Their 11 judges
Will Carling Former England international and Heineken ambassador
John Smit Former South Africa international and Heineken ambassador
Robert Kitson Guardian rugby correspondent
Eddie Butler Observer rugby correspondent and former Wales international
Paul Rees Guardian rugby writer
Mike Averis Guardian rugby writer
Michael Aylwin Guardian rugby writer
Andy Bull Guardian chief sport writer
Claire Tolley Guardian Rugby World Cup editor
Ian Prior GNM head of sport
Stephen McMillan Guardian sport features editor
How the voting worked
The No1 choice of each judge was awarded 40pts, No2 given 39pts, down to 1pt for their No40 choice.
All the votes were added together to give a final score.
The voting statistics will be published here when the full top 50 has been revealed.
All the votes were added together to give a final score.
The voting statistics will be published here when the full top 50 has been revealed.
Top 50 players from the Guardian
Done in 2015.
50 Felipe Contepomi - Argentina - Fly-half
49 John Gallagher - New Zealand - Fullback
48 Chester Williams - South Africa - Wing
47 Willie Ofahengaue - Australia - Prop
46 Raphael Ibanez - France - Hooker
45 Agustin Pichot - Argentina - Scrum-half
44 Keith Wood - Ireland - Hooker
43 Neil Back - England - Flanker
42 Josh Kronfeld - New Zealand - Flanker
41 Gavin Hastings - Scotland - Fullback
40 Philippe Sella - France - Centre
39 Shane Williams - Wales - Wing
38 Os du Randt - South Africa - Prop
37 Jason Leonard - England - Prop
36 Grant Fox - New Zealand - Fly-half
35 Christophe Lamaison - France - Fly-half
34 Will Greenwood - England - Centre
33 Wayne Shelford - New Zealand - Number 8
32 Brian Lima - Samoa - Centre/Wing
31 Rupeni Caucaunibuca - Fiji - Wing
30 Jason Little - Australia - Centre
29 Serge Blanco - France - Fullback
28 Zinzan Brooke - New Zealand - Number 8/Flanker
27 David Kirk - New Zealand - Scrum-half
26 Fourie du Preez - South Africa - Scrum-half
25 Dan Carter - New Zealand - Fly-half
24 Stephen Larkham - Australia - Fly-half/Fullback
23 Joel Stransky - South Africa - Fly-half
22 Jason Robinson - England - Wing/Fullback
21 George Gregan - Australia - Scrum-half
20 Nick Farr-Jones - Australia - Scrum-half
19 John Smit - South Africa - Hooker/Prop
18 Thierry Dusautoir - France - Flanker
17 Victor Matfield - South Africa - Lock
16 Michael Lynagh - Australia - Fly-half
15 Bryan Habana - South Africa - Wing
14 Lawrence Dallaglio - England - Number 8/Flanker
13 Sean Fitzpatrick - New Zealand - Hooker
12 Richard Hill - England - Flanker
11 John Kirwan - New Zealand - Wing/Fullback
10 Joost van der Westhuizen - South Africa - Scrum-half
9 Tim Horan - Australia - Centre
8 Francois Pienaar - South Africa - Flanker
7 Michael Jones - New Zealand - Flanker/Number 8
6 Jonny Wilkinson - England - Fly-half
5 Richie McCaw - New Zealand - Flanker
4 John Eales - Australia - Lock
3 David Campese - Australia - Wing
2 Martin Johnson - England - Lock
1 Jonah Lomu - New Zealand - Wing
