The eight best players never to win a Six Nations title

Andy Goode was for many years the metronomic core of Leicester Tigers' backline, a reliable goal-kicker and an excellent tactician. However, despite winning 17 caps and featuring in three Six Nations campaigns, the popular fly-half was never able to win the big one. The nearest he came was in 2009 when, with Goode playing in all five matches, England finished as runners-up to Ireland

Keith Wood is one of Ireland's most iconic rugby players. A hard-nosed, driven player, Wood excelled at hooker for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions over an international career that spanned nine years. He was also the first ever World Players of the year in 2001. However, a Five/Six Nations avoided him during his career, with the hooker coming painfully close in 2001 when Ireland lost on points difference to England.

Scott Gibbs was a Welsh international who played for his country and Great Britain in both codes. His two stand-out career moments in Union came when he was named Player of the Series against South Africa in 1997 on the Lions tour and scoring a superb solo try in the last minute in a 32-31 win at Wembley to prevent England winning the Grand Slam. Unfortunately for Gibbs though, his short stint in rugby league in 1994 meant he missed Wales only title triumph of the 1990's.

Chris Paterson was a stalwart of the Scottish side for more than a decade in a variety of positions, winning 109 caps and becoming for a time the most prolific points-scorer in international rugby. Unfortunately for him, the full-back made his debut against Spain in 1999, which came six months after Scotland's last ever tournament triumph.

Making his debut for Les Bleus in the Autumn 2010, similar to Paterson, Huget missed out on a Six Nations medal by a few months and despite appearing in the six subsequent tournaments never managed to win the big one.

Argentinian-born Italy Test tight-head Martin Castrogiovanni established him as one of the world's premier props and has become a firm fan favourite at Welford Road for his club side Leicester Tigers. He made an immediate impact in English rugby's top flight and was named Guinness Premiership Player of the Year at the end of his debut season - in the process becoming the first prop and Italian to scoop the honour.

Two-time British & Irish Lions tourist and back-to-back RBS 6 Nations Player of the Championship winner (2016 and 2017), Hoggy is probably the best player currently to not lift the prize. There's at least still time for him.

A No.8 of great ability, the 6ft 5in Sergio Parisse is not the heftiest player to occupy the back of the scrum at 17st 5lb, but his positional sense in the line-out and flair for getting across the gainline have marked him out as an outstanding player both for club and country. Despite being world-class, playing for the Azzurri has meant he's never come close to winning the big one.