Sir Ian McGeechan Names the 5 Greatest Players of the 21st Century — Jonny Wilkinson Left Out

Sir Ian McGeechan isn’t just a coach — he’s British & Irish Lions royalty. Four tours in charge. Two more as a player. If rugby has a brain trust, McGeechan is sitting at the head of the table.

, McGeechan has unveiled his all-time XV. It’s a proper heavyweight squad: six New Zealanders, three Englishmen, two Welsh legends, plus one each from France, Scotland, and Ireland.

A master tactician, mentor, and one of the sport’s great architects, Sir Ian McGeechan has spent decades shaping the modern game. Now 77, he’s still razor-sharp — and when he speaks, rugby listens.

Writing in The Telegraph

And his top five players of the 21st century? Let’s just say the All Blacks feature heavily.

Revered as rugby's unstoppable force, Lomu was a New Zealand legend whose mere presence struck fear into opponents.

His unmatched blend of size, speed, and skill revolutionised wing play, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

McGeechan wrote: "He was built like a train, and could run like one. But he could also really play rugby. Lomu’s skills were honed on the sevens circuit with New Zealand.

"I remember watching him at the Hong Kong Sevens and being absolutely blown away, not only by his size and pace but his footballing ability.

"Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down. But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten.

"The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby."

Renowned for his fierce leadership and unyielding determination, Johnson captained England to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003.

A towering figure both on and off the field, his uncompromising style made him a symbol of rugby excellence.

He wrote: "I think he defined an era, both for forward play and for the performances of the teams he represented."

Widely regarded as one of rugby's greatest fly-halves, Carter's precise kicking, silky running, and tactical brilliance set him apart.

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand, his influence transcended eras, inspiring generations of players.

McGeechan wrote that Carter “really was the complete 10."

He added: "His defence was immaculate, he could break himself, he could bring others in to play, his kicking from hand and from tee was incredibly accurate.

"He also changed the way the game was played with his kicking from his own 22m and his kicking to compete. The greatest of the modern era in my opinion."

Brian O’Driscoll is a retired Irish rugby union player celebrated as one of the finest centres ever to play the game. Born in 1979, he captained Ireland and earned 133 international caps between 1999 and 2014.

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O’Driscoll was renowned for his speed, skill, and try-scoring ability, and he played a pivotal role in Ireland’s rise in world rugby. He also represented the British & Irish Lions on four tours and remains an iconic figure in Irish sport.

He wrote: " Brian O’Driscoll’s work at the breakdown absolutely changed the way centres now play the game.

"His ability to get back on his feet after tackling to compete for the ball was extraordinary, and ensured he always had an impact on the game, whatever type of game it was. He was such a natural talent.

"O’Driscoll didn’t have to find his international feet, he was born with them. From that early hat-trick in Paris for Ireland, to his solo try in the 1st Lions Test in Australia the following year, O’Driscoll was an inspirational player.

"The fact that he was targeted so brutally by New Zealand when captaining the Lions four years later was testament to that. He came back again in 2009, when he formed that sensational partnership with Jamie Roberts in the centres.

"By the time he retired in 2014 he had won almost everything there was to win in the game. An outstanding player."

Carter is a former New Zealand rugby union player widely regarded as one of the greatest fly-halves in the sport’s history. Born in 1982, he starred for the All Blacks from 2003 to 2015, becoming their all-time leading points scorer.

The legendary number 10 played a key role in New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015 and was known for his tactical brilliance, accurate goal-kicking, and calm leadership under pressure.

McGeechan wrote: " wrote down so many names - Barry John, Phil Bennett, Michael Lynagh, Gregor Townsend, Wilkinson, Johnny Sexton, Beauden Barrett (who knows how New Zealand might have fared in Japan had he been kept at 10) - before settling on New Zealand’s Dan Carter as my all-time dream fly-half. Carter really was the complete 10.

"His defence was immaculate, he could break himself, he could bring others in to play, his kicking from hand and from tee was incredibly accurate. He also changed the way the game was played with his kicking from his own 22m and his kicking to compete. The greatest of the modern era in my opinion."