Peter O'Mahony has gone head-to-head with some of the greatest players of the professional era, but when asked to name the toughest opponents he ever faced, the Ireland legend had no doubts.
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The Ospreys and Ireland flanker, who recently suggested he’ll likely retire at the end of the 2024/25 season, is ready to hang up his boots after a remarkable career. While a short stint abroad remains possible, his one-year contract extension from last summer will likely mark the final chapter of his professional rugby journey.
So, who are the men that left a lasting impression on him? O'Mahony’s picks span generations and nations, but all share one thing in common: they are iconic, uncompromising, and unforgettable on the pitch.
#5. Jamie Cudmore
Position: Lock/Flanker
Caps: N/A (Club legend)
Caps: N/A (Club legend)
O'Mahony on Cudmore:
"Cudmore is a hugely tough opponent, hugely physical and a good athlete, a very good rugby player. So if you're going to name off all those attributes, he's got to be someone you're impressed by."
"Cudmore is a hugely tough opponent, hugely physical and a good athlete, a very good rugby player. So if you're going to name off all those attributes, he's got to be someone you're impressed by."
Player Bio:
Jamie Cudmore made his name in European rugby with Clermont Auvergne, known for his brutal physicality, relentless work rate, and fearless approach to every breakdown. While he may not have been an international star, any opponent who faced him knew exactly what a high-impact, no-nonsense forward looked like. His presence alone could swing a game.
Jamie Cudmore made his name in European rugby with Clermont Auvergne, known for his brutal physicality, relentless work rate, and fearless approach to every breakdown. While he may not have been an international star, any opponent who faced him knew exactly what a high-impact, no-nonsense forward looked like. His presence alone could swing a game.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cudmore was infamous for his on-field aggression but off it, he’s remembered as a fiercely loyal teammate and mentor, helping younger players find their feet in top-flight rugby.
Cudmore was infamous for his on-field aggression but off it, he’s remembered as a fiercely loyal teammate and mentor, helping younger players find their feet in top-flight rugby.
#4. Eben Etzebeth
Position: Lock
Caps: 124+ (as of 2025)
Caps: 124+ (as of 2025)
O'Mahony on Etzebeth:
"Etzebeth is a monster. Tall, powerful, and relentless in the lineout and contact—he’s one of the hardest players to play against in world rugby."
"Etzebeth is a monster. Tall, powerful, and relentless in the lineout and contact—he’s one of the hardest players to play against in world rugby."
Player Bio:
South African lock Eben Etzebeth is the epitome of modern forward dominance. Combining height, strength, and athleticism, he has been a cornerstone of the Springboks’ pack for over a decade, earning 120+ caps. Etzebeth’s ability to dominate lineouts, carry with force, and deliver bone-crunching tackles makes him a nightmare for any opposition.
South African lock Eben Etzebeth is the epitome of modern forward dominance. Combining height, strength, and athleticism, he has been a cornerstone of the Springboks’ pack for over a decade, earning 120+ caps. Etzebeth’s ability to dominate lineouts, carry with force, and deliver bone-crunching tackles makes him a nightmare for any opposition.
DID YOU KNOW?
Etzebeth once played as a winger in his youth before growing into his 2.03m frame, eventually becoming one of the most feared locks in rugby history.
Etzebeth once played as a winger in his youth before growing into his 2.03m frame, eventually becoming one of the most feared locks in rugby history.
#3. Kieran Read
Position: Number 8
Caps: 128
Caps: 128
O'Mahony on Read:
"Read was probably the most skilful I’ve come up against, whether it was backs or forwards—he’d be well up there as well."
"Read was probably the most skilful I’ve come up against, whether it was backs or forwards—he’d be well up there as well."
Player Bio:
Kieran Read was a dynamic number 8 and a mastermind of both leadership and skill. With 128 caps for the All Blacks and captaincy between 2013–2019, he guided New Zealand to Rugby World Cup glory twice. Read’s calm demeanour and decision-making made him one of the toughest, smartest opponents on the field.
Kieran Read was a dynamic number 8 and a mastermind of both leadership and skill. With 128 caps for the All Blacks and captaincy between 2013–2019, he guided New Zealand to Rugby World Cup glory twice. Read’s calm demeanour and decision-making made him one of the toughest, smartest opponents on the field.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before rugby, Read was a promising cricketer, representing New Zealand at the Under-17 level.
Before rugby, Read was a promising cricketer, representing New Zealand at the Under-17 level.
#2. Richie McCaw
Position: Flanker
Caps: 148
Caps: 148
O'Mahony on McCaw:
"One of my heroes. I feel very privileged to have played against him. The All Blacks have never replaced him."
"One of my heroes. I feel very privileged to have played against him. The All Blacks have never replaced him."
Player Bio:
Richie McCaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players ever. His mastery of the breakdown, leadership, and relentless work rate set him apart. Captaining the All Blacks to consecutive World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015, McCaw earned 148 caps and defined the modern flanker role.
Richie McCaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players ever. His mastery of the breakdown, leadership, and relentless work rate set him apart. Captaining the All Blacks to consecutive World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015, McCaw earned 148 caps and defined the modern flanker role.
DID YOU KNOW?
McCaw’s Scottish heritage gave him a unique flair: he learned to play the bagpipes, embodying quiet leadership off the pitch as well.
McCaw’s Scottish heritage gave him a unique flair: he learned to play the bagpipes, embodying quiet leadership off the pitch as well.
#1. Jerry Collins
Position: Flanker
Caps: 48
Caps: 48
O'Mahony on Collins:
“In games, I remember that Ospreys team when I first started off. They had a back-row of Jerry Collins, [Filo] Tiatia, and Marty Holah. I was just out of my teens. It was a nasty enough back-row to come up against. Collins was a vicious bas***rd but a real gentleman off the pitch."
“In games, I remember that Ospreys team when I first started off. They had a back-row of Jerry Collins, [Filo] Tiatia, and Marty Holah. I was just out of my teens. It was a nasty enough back-row to come up against. Collins was a vicious bas***rd but a real gentleman off the pitch."
Player Bio:
Jerry Collins was a ferocious flanker, famous for bone-crunching tackles and raw physicality. With 48 caps for the All Blacks, he left a lasting legacy as one of rugby’s toughest and most uncompromising players. Collins also led at club level with the Hurricanes and Ospreys.
Jerry Collins was a ferocious flanker, famous for bone-crunching tackles and raw physicality. With 48 caps for the All Blacks, he left a lasting legacy as one of rugby’s toughest and most uncompromising players. Collins also led at club level with the Hurricanes and Ospreys.
DID YOU KNOW?
Collins was a cousin of Tana Umaga. Tragically, he and his partner died in a car accident in 2015, with his final act shielding his baby daughter, Ayla—a testament to his character both on and off the pitch.
Collins was a cousin of Tana Umaga. Tragically, he and his partner died in a car accident in 2015, with his final act shielding his baby daughter, Ayla—a testament to his character both on and off the pitch.
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- 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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