Radio Times ranked the 10 greatest rugby players of all-time – and more than three years later, some of their selections still spark serious debate.
The list was originally published by Radio Times in February 2023, with individual ability, performances and each player's impact on rugby among the factors considered.
There are some undisputed legends on the list.
Jonah Lomu, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson all feature prominently, while England and Ireland are also represented.
But there are some enormous omissions – and a couple of selections that look even more interesting with the benefit of hindsight.
And was it really the right time to already put Antoine Dupont among the 10 greatest players in the entire history of rugby?
Here's the Radio Times ranking, followed by the RUCK verdict on every selection.
10. Antoine Dupont – France
Radio Times knew this would be controversial from the start.
They wrote: “We know what you’re thinking – it’s far too early” to include the French superstar in an all-time list.
Their argument centred on Dupont's extraordinary ability and his growing influence beyond the traditional rugby audience.
RUCK VERDICT: TOO SOON
This is the selection that immediately jumps out.
Dupont is an extraordinary rugby player and his case has actually become far stronger since this list was published.
He has added Olympic sevens gold and further major honours to an already remarkable CV. By 2024, Radio Times had named Dupont the best player in the world.
But that's not really the point.
This ranking was made in February 2023.
At that stage, Dupont was 26 and hadn't even played in his home Rugby World Cup.
Putting him ahead of decades of rugby legends with completed careers felt premature.
Today? That's a completely different debate.
9. Sergio Parisse – Italy
Radio Times described Parisse as a “hugely influential modern great”.
It's difficult to argue with that description.
The No.8 won 142 caps for Italy and spent much of his career producing extraordinary individual performances for a nation that rarely competed for major silverware.
RUCK VERDICT: GREAT PLAYER, TOP 10 IS A STRETCH
Parisse absolutely belongs in conversations about the greatest No.8s of the professional era.
Top 10 players ever is harder to justify.
When you're selecting only ten names from the entire history of rugby union, you're leaving out some astonishing players.
Parisse's longevity and individual quality were exceptional, but we'd struggle to put him above every one of the alternatives.
8. Bryan Habana – South Africa
Few players have been more dangerous with space in front of them.
Habana scored 67 Test tries for the Springboks and was one of the stars of South Africa's 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph.
Radio Times highlighted the winger's devastating pace and the way he repeatedly produced on the biggest stage.
RUCK VERDICT: FAIR SHOUT
No major complaints here.
Habana combined longevity, trophies, individual brilliance and huge performances at World Cups.
Is he definitely one of the ten greatest players ever?
That's debatable.
But if you're putting together a shortlist, he deserves to be somewhere near it.
7. Gareth Edwards – Wales
One of rugby's original superstars.
Radio Times highlighted Edwards' playmaking and all-round athletic ability, with the Welshman winning 53 caps during one of the country's greatest eras.
He also became a British & Irish Lions great.
Then there's that try for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973.
RUCK VERDICT: SHOULD BE HIGHER
Seventh feels low.
Comparing eras is incredibly difficult, but Edwards was regarded as rugby's benchmark scrum-half for decades.
Even when we recently looked at 20 of the greatest scrum-halves rugby has produced, Edwards' standing among the legends of the position was impossible to ignore.
His influence on the position, achievements with Wales and the Lions, and standing within the history of the sport make him a legitimate contender for the very top end of this list.
6. Martin Johnson – England
England's World Cup-winning captain.
Radio Times praised Johnson's commanding presence and his ability to read the game.
He captained England to the 2003 Rugby World Cup and became the first man to captain the British & Irish Lions on two separate tours.
RUCK VERDICT: ABOUT RIGHT
There will always be arguments over exactly where Johnson belongs.
But sixth is perfectly defensible.
He wasn't simply an inspirational captain. Johnson was an outstanding second-row who reached the very top of the sport for club, country and the Lions.
He inevitably features whenever the debate turns to England's greatest rugby players.
The lack of forwards elsewhere in this Radio Times ranking probably strengthens his inclusion too.
5. Brian O'Driscoll – Ireland
Radio Times described O'Driscoll as a “near unstoppable force”, highlighting his offloads, interceptions and ability to score spectacular tries.
The Irish centre won 133 caps for his country and toured four times with the British & Irish Lions.
For a generation of supporters, he was the defining centre in world rugby.
RUCK VERDICT: DESERVES HIS PLACE
Absolutely.
O'Driscoll had longevity, individual brilliance, leadership and the ability to produce moments very few other players could.
His reputation is hardly confined to this particular list either. One previous ranking put O'Driscoll third among the greatest players of the professional era.
You can debate whether fifth is exactly right.
It's much harder to argue that he shouldn't be somewhere in this conversation.
4. Jonny Wilkinson – England
One kick alone made Wilkinson immortal.
His drop goal in extra-time against Australia secured England's 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph.
Radio Times described it as the moment that helped inspire a whole generation.
But Wilkinson was far more than that famous kick.
His defence, kicking, professionalism and relentless standards helped redefine expectations for a modern fly-half.
RUCK VERDICT: FAIR
Fourth feels about right.
Some will inevitably argue that Wilkinson should be above Carter, particularly England supporters.
Even Carter has spoken in glowing terms about his old rival, with the All Blacks legend describing Wilkinson as the closest thing he had seen to the perfect rugby player.
Wilkinson comfortably belongs among rugby's greatest.
3. Dan Carter – New Zealand
Perhaps the most complete fly-half rugby has produced.
Carter finished his Test career with 1,598 points from 112 appearances and won the Rugby World Cup twice.
He was also named World Rugby Player of the Year three times.
As World Rugby notes in Carter's Hall of Fame profile, he remains the leading points scorer in Test history.
RUCK VERDICT: NO ARGUMENT
Top three is completely justified.
At his peak, Carter had virtually everything you could want from a No.10.
He could control territory, attack the line, defend, kick goals and deliver under enormous pressure.
His performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stages was a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary Test career.
2. Richie McCaw – New Zealand
The captain of one of rugby's greatest teams.
McCaw won 148 Test caps and led New Zealand to successive Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015.
His achievement remains unique, with World Rugby's Hall of Fame remembering McCaw as the only player to captain his country to two Rugby World Cup titles.
RUCK VERDICT: COULD EASILY BE NUMBER ONE
This might be the strongest all-round CV on the list.
Two World Cups as captain.
Three World Rugby Player of the Year awards.
148 caps.
Years spent at the heart of an extraordinarily dominant All Blacks side.
It's no surprise that another major ranking put McCaw at the very top of the professional era.
If your definition of the greatest player is based on sustained excellence and achievement at the highest level, McCaw has an enormous case for No.1.
1. Jonah Lomu – New Zealand
Radio Times went with the man who changed rugby forever.
Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests, but numbers don't adequately explain his impact.
His influence was so significant that World Rugby describes Lomu as the sport's first truly global superstar.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup transformed him into a household name just as rugby union entered the professional era.
RUCK VERDICT: YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT
Was Lomu the most decorated player ever?
No.
Did he have the longevity of McCaw or Carter?
No.
But greatest doesn't necessarily mean most successful.
Few rugby players have ever transcended the sport like Lomu.
People who barely followed rugby knew who he was.
His combination of size, speed and power looked almost impossible at the time, and his performances at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups helped make him rugby's first genuine global superstar of the professional era.
And Radio Times aren't alone. When we previously looked at the 100 greatest rugby players of all-time, Lomu also came out on top.
McCaw probably has the stronger rugby CV.
But if impact on the sport is part of the criteria, putting Jonah Lomu at No.1 is a decision we can understand.
RADIO TIMES' TOP 10
10. Antoine Dupont – FranceRUCK verdict: Too soon
9. Sergio Parisse – ItalyRUCK verdict: Top 10 is a stretch
8. Bryan Habana – South AfricaRUCK verdict: Fair shout
7. Gareth Edwards – WalesRUCK verdict: Should be higher
6. Martin Johnson – EnglandRUCK verdict: About right
5. Brian O'Driscoll – IrelandRUCK verdict: Deserves his place
4. Jonny Wilkinson – EnglandRUCK verdict: Fair
3. Dan Carter – New ZealandRUCK verdict: No argument
2. Richie McCaw – New ZealandRUCK verdict: Could easily be No.1
1. Jonah Lomu – New ZealandRUCK verdict: You can justify it
