The 7 Greatest Full-Backs of All Time Ranked From Worst to Best

The full-back has evolved dramatically throughout the decades. Once viewed primarily as the last line of defence, the modern No.15 is now expected to dominate the aerial battle, launch counter-attacks, control territory and operate as an additional playmaker. Yet the very best have always possessed something extra: the ability to turn a loose ball, a kick or a moment of broken-field chaos into a match-winning opportunity.

From the fearless Welsh warrior who made the backfield his personal battlefield to the New Zealand speedster who appeared capable of scoring from anywhere, these players redefined what could be achieved from rugby’s final line of attack. So, with Ultimate Sevens preparing to bring together some of the game’s most exciting talent, RUCK ranks the seven greatest players to have starred at full-back in rugby history.

Oone of the pioneering attacking full-backs of the 1970s and 1980s, Ivine was blessed with pace, vision and an outstanding kicking game. The Scotland and British & Irish Lions icon helped reshape expectations around the position and laid much of the groundwork for the attacking full-backs who followed.

The Crusaders man is already one of the most prolific try scorers in All Blacks history. Although he has regularly featured on the wing at Test level, Jordan’s awareness, support running and instinct for exploiting space make him a natural full-back. Having moved beyond Christian Cullen’s tally of 46 Test tries, he may yet force his way into this list by the time his career is complete.

Thomas Ramos has become one of the defining full-backs of the modern era. An elite goal-kicker and intelligent playmaker, Ramos combines tactical control with the confidence to step into the attacking line, making him a central figure for both France and Toulouse.

We kick off our list with one of the ultimate speedsters and prolific finishers, as Jason Robinson had the incredible ability to make elite defenders look completely helpless. Known as “Billy Whizz”, Robinson arrived in rugby union following a glittering rugby league career and immediately brought a new level of unpredictability to England’s backline.

His low centre of gravity, explosive acceleration and famous sidestep made him almost impossible to read. Robinson could play on the wing or at full-back, but his ability to counter from deep made the No.15 jersey a natural fit. His finest moment came in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, when he stepped inside the Australian defence to score England’s only try. He remains one of rugby’s greatest dual-code talents.

DID YOU KNOW? Robinson scored 171 tries during his rugby league career before switching codes and winning the Rugby World Cup with England.

Percy Montgomery was the complete tactical full-back: calm under pressure, assured in the air, capable of launching attacks and almost automatic from the kicking tee. The Springbok icon was never the most explosive runner on this list, but his understanding of territory and ability to control a match made him one of the most valuable players of his generation. Montgomery’s left boot became one of South Africa’s most reliable weapons, particularly during the Springboks’ successful 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign.

He finished the tournament as its leading points scorer and played a crucial role as South Africa defeated England in the final to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time. Montgomery also became the first Springbok to reach 100 Test caps, setting a standard for consistency and longevity.

DID YOU KNOW? Montgomery scored 111 total points during South Africa’s various Rugby World Cup campaigns.

Chris Latham was the embodiment of the modern attacking full-back before the position had fully evolved into what it is today The Australian combined a huge left-footed kicking game with the confidence to run from almost anywhere. Latham was at his most dangerous when given space, attacking defensive lines at pace and forcing opponents to retreat as he accelerated into the open field.

His direct style made him an important part of the Wallabies side that reached the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, while his ability to cover ground also made him a dependable final defender. Latham possessed the complete package: pace, power, vision and a tactical boot capable of relieving pressure from deep inside his own territory. He may not receive the same recognition as some of rugby’s more celebrated No.15s, but at his peak, few full-backs were more complete.

DID YOU KNOW? Latham played for the New South Wales Waratahs and Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, with 99 appearances for the latter.

Ben Smith was rarely the loudest player on the pitch, but his brilliance was impossible to ignore. Affectionately known as “Ben from Accounts”, the understated All Black became one of the most dependable and intelligent outside backs of the professional era. His positioning was exceptional, his hands under the high ball were remarkably secure and his ability to identify space made him a constant attacking threat.

Smith could play at full-back or on the wing without any noticeable drop in quality. He was equally comfortable finishing a move or creating one, while his work rate and defensive awareness made him invaluable to the All Blacks. A Rugby World Cup winner in 2015, Smith scored 39 tries in 84 Tests and was a central figure during one of New Zealand rugby’s greatest eras.

DID YOU KNOW? Smith’s “Ben from Accounts” nickname reflected his quiet, understated personality and reputation for always getting the job done.

JPR Williams transformed the full-back position at a golden age of Welsh rugby. The iconic side-burned flyer combined the reckless abandon of a loose-forward with the attacking instincts of an outside back. His trademark look and fearless approach made him one of rugby’s most recognisable figures, but it was his physicality that truly set him apart.

Williams was outstanding beneath the high ball and never hesitated to confront far larger opponents. His presence gave Wales and the British & Irish Lions the confidence to attack, knowing they had an uncompromising final defender behind them. He helped Wales win three Five Nations Grand Slams across eight championship titles, and he was a defining figure during the Lions’ famous 1971 series victory over New Zealand. Williams also scored a memorable drop goal in the drawn fourth Test, helping the Lions secure the final 2–1 series result.

DID YOU KNOW? Williams was a qualified doctor and balanced his rugby career with his medical profession.

Serge Blanco was rugby’s original showman. Long before full-backs became additional playmakers, the French legend was turning counter-attacking rugby into an art form. Blanco possessed extraordinary vision and an instinctive understanding of space, capable of turning a harmless loose ball into a breathtaking attack within seconds.

His running style was graceful and unpredictable, perfectly reflecting the romance and spontaneity associated with French rugby. Blanco’s most famous moment came during the 1987 Rugby World Cup semi-final, when he finished a dramatic late try against Australia to send France into the final.

Across an international career spanning more than a decade, Blanco scored 38 tries in 93 Tests for France. He held the country’s all-time Test try-scoring record until Damian Penaud surpassed him. Few players have ever captured the imagination of rugby supporters quite like Blanco.

DID YOU KNOW? Blanco’s famous 1987 World Cup semi-final try was scored four minutes into extra time, as France defeated Australia 30-24.

Though some come close, there has never been a full-back quite like Christian Cullen. The “Paekākāriki Express” was rugby’s ultimate attacking weapon: a player capable of collecting the ball deep inside his own half and scoring before the opposition had time to reorganise. His acceleration was devastating, his footwork was effortless and his ability to identify the smallest gap made him one of the most dangerous players the game has ever produced.

Cullen finished tries with ease, and he created them from situations where there appeared to be no opportunity at all. Defenders knew what was coming, yet still struggled to stop him. His record of 46 tries in 58 Tests remains one of the most remarkable scoring achievements in All Blacks history, before Will Jordan broke the record against France this Summer, placing him among New Zealand’s greatest international finishers. For pure attacking brilliance, no full-back has ever surpassed Cullen, yet come the end of Jordan's career, this short-list may look rather different indeed.

DID YOU KNOW? Cullen scored seven tries in his first two All Blacks matches - a hat trick on debut against Samoa and four tries against Scotland in 1996.