Top 50 British rugby players of all-time ranked, Jonny Wilkinson third
Rugby NewsMonday, 20 May 2024 at 16:00
Welsh and Lions legend Gareth Edwards has been crowned the greatest British rugby player of all time by fans, surpassing England's World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson.
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At 75, Edwards boasts a stellar record of 20 tries in an unbroken run of 53 caps for Wales over a decade, along with 10 Test matches for the Lions across three tours.
Here are the top 50 British rugby players of all time, as voted by fans.
Top 50 Greatest British Rugby Players
#50 - #41
#50. Mike Tindall (England)
Mike Tindall, a robust centre, known for his pivotal role in England's 2003 World Cup victory, combining strong defence with impactful runs.
Mike Tindall, a robust centre, known for his pivotal role in England's 2003 World Cup victory, combining strong defence with impactful runs.
#49. Scott Quinnell (Wales)
Scott Quinnell, a powerful number eight, excelled with his dynamic ball-carrying ability and leadership for both Wales and the British Lions.
Scott Quinnell, a powerful number eight, excelled with his dynamic ball-carrying ability and leadership for both Wales and the British Lions.
#48. Matt Dawson (England)
Matt Dawson, an agile scrum-half, played a crucial role in England's 2003 World Cup win, renowned for his quick thinking and sharp passes.
Matt Dawson, an agile scrum-half, played a crucial role in England's 2003 World Cup win, renowned for his quick thinking and sharp passes.
#47. Will Carling (England)
Will Carling, a former England captain, led his team to three Grand Slams in the 1990s, remembered for his leadership and midfield prowess.
Will Carling, a former England captain, led his team to three Grand Slams in the 1990s, remembered for his leadership and midfield prowess.
#46. Scott Hastings (Scotland)
Scott Hastings, an iconic centre, known for his robust defence and attacking flair, representing Scotland with distinction in the 1980s and 90s.
Scott Hastings, an iconic centre, known for his robust defence and attacking flair, representing Scotland with distinction in the 1980s and 90s.
#45. Jonny May (England)
Jonny May, a lightning-fast winger, celebrated for his try-scoring ability and electrifying pace, making significant impacts in numerous matches for England.
Jonny May, a lightning-fast winger, celebrated for his try-scoring ability and electrifying pace, making significant impacts in numerous matches for England.
Jonny May of England goes over for a try and celebrates the try during the Summer International match between England and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on August 26, 2023 in London, England. ( Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK )
#44. Finlay Calder (Scotland)
Finlay Calder, a flanker of great tenacity, captained the British Lions to a series win in Australia in 1989, recognized for his leadership and work rate.
Finlay Calder, a flanker of great tenacity, captained the British Lions to a series win in Australia in 1989, recognized for his leadership and work rate.
#43. Maro Itoje (England)
Maro Itoje, a versatile lock/flanker, praised for his athleticism, leadership, and consistent performances, making him a cornerstone of the England team.
Maro Itoje, a versatile lock/flanker, praised for his athleticism, leadership, and consistent performances, making him a cornerstone of the England team.
Maro Itoje of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
#42. Rob Howley (Wales)
Rob Howley, a dynamic scrum-half, known for his sharp game management and vital contributions to Wales and the British Lions.
Rob Howley, a dynamic scrum-half, known for his sharp game management and vital contributions to Wales and the British Lions.
#41. Adam Jones (Wales)
Adam Jones, a formidable prop, known for his scrummaging strength and key role in Wales' Six Nations successes during the 2000s.
Adam Jones, a formidable prop, known for his scrummaging strength and key role in Wales' Six Nations successes during the 2000s.
#40 - #31
#40. Peter Winterbottom (England)
Peter Winterbottom, a relentless flanker, respected for his exceptional work rate and tackling ability, crucial to England’s forward dominance in the 1980s and 90s.
Peter Winterbottom, a relentless flanker, respected for his exceptional work rate and tackling ability, crucial to England’s forward dominance in the 1980s and 90s.
#39. Andy Irvine (Scotland)
Andy Irvine, a prolific full-back, renowned for his dazzling runs and reliable goal-kicking, representing Scotland and the British Lions with flair.
Andy Irvine, a prolific full-back, renowned for his dazzling runs and reliable goal-kicking, representing Scotland and the British Lions with flair.
#38. David Sole (Scotland)
David Sole, a sturdy prop, led Scotland to their 1990 Grand Slam, remembered for his leadership and scrummaging prowess.
David Sole, a sturdy prop, led Scotland to their 1990 Grand Slam, remembered for his leadership and scrummaging prowess.
#37. Scott Gibbs (Wales)
Scott Gibbs, a powerful centre, famed for his strong running and memorable tries, playing a key role in Wales and the British Lions victories.
Scott Gibbs, a powerful centre, famed for his strong running and memorable tries, playing a key role in Wales and the British Lions victories.
#36. Lewis Moody (England)
Lewis Moody, a fearless flanker, known for his aggressive playing style and key contributions to England's 2003 World Cup win.
Lewis Moody, a fearless flanker, known for his aggressive playing style and key contributions to England's 2003 World Cup win.
#35. Chris Paterson (Scotland)
Chris Paterson, a versatile back, celebrated for his reliable goal-kicking and versatility, serving as a linchpin for Scotland.
Chris Paterson, a versatile back, celebrated for his reliable goal-kicking and versatility, serving as a linchpin for Scotland.
#34. Mervyn Davies (Wales)
Mervyn Davies, an iconic number eight, renowned for his line-out expertise and leadership, contributing to Wales' dominance in the 1970s.
Mervyn Davies, an iconic number eight, renowned for his line-out expertise and leadership, contributing to Wales' dominance in the 1970s.
#33. Rory Underwood (England)
Rory Underwood, a prolific winger, known for his remarkable speed and try-scoring ability, becoming England's top try-scorer.
Rory Underwood, a prolific winger, known for his remarkable speed and try-scoring ability, becoming England's top try-scorer.
#32. Fran Cotton (England)
Fran Cotton, a rugged prop, recognized for his scrummaging strength and leadership, vital to the England and Lions packs in the 1970s and 80s.
Fran Cotton, a rugged prop, recognized for his scrummaging strength and leadership, vital to the England and Lions packs in the 1970s and 80s.
#31. George North (Wales)
George North, a dynamic winger, celebrated for his power and finishing ability, making significant contributions to Wales and the British Lions.
George North, a dynamic winger, celebrated for his power and finishing ability, making significant contributions to Wales and the British Lions.
#30 - #21
#30. Will Greenwood (England)
Will Greenwood, an astute centre, played a crucial role in England’s 2003 World Cup victory, known for his intelligent play and try-scoring prowess.
Will Greenwood, an astute centre, played a crucial role in England’s 2003 World Cup victory, known for his intelligent play and try-scoring prowess.
#29. Tom Smith (Scotland)
Tom Smith, a skilled prop, praised for his scrummaging and work rate, instrumental in Scotland’s forward pack in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Tom Smith, a skilled prop, praised for his scrummaging and work rate, instrumental in Scotland’s forward pack in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
#28. Phil Vickery (England)
Phil Vickery, a dominant prop, vital to England’s scrum, contributing significantly to the 2003 World Cup triumph with his power and leadership.
Phil Vickery, a dominant prop, vital to England’s scrum, contributing significantly to the 2003 World Cup triumph with his power and leadership.
#27. Graham Price (Wales)
Graham Price, a legendary prop, part of the famous Pontypool Front Row, known for his scrummaging strength and durability.
Graham Price, a legendary prop, part of the famous Pontypool Front Row, known for his scrummaging strength and durability.
#26. Neil Back (England)
Neil Back, an industrious flanker, pivotal in England’s 2003 World Cup win, celebrated for his scavenging skills and work ethic.
Neil Back, an industrious flanker, pivotal in England’s 2003 World Cup win, celebrated for his scavenging skills and work ethic.
#25. Brian Moore (England)
Brian Moore, a combative hooker, known for his fierce competitiveness and crucial role in England’s forward dominance in the 1990s.
Brian Moore, a combative hooker, known for his fierce competitiveness and crucial role in England’s forward dominance in the 1990s.
#24. Bill Beaumont (England)
Bill Beaumont, a towering lock, captained England to a Grand Slam in 1980, renowned for his leadership and line-out expertise.
Bill Beaumont, a towering lock, captained England to a Grand Slam in 1980, renowned for his leadership and line-out expertise.
#23. Phil Bennett (Wales)
Phil Bennett, a dazzling fly-half, celebrated for his sidestepping runs and pivotal role in Wales’ success in the 1970s.
Phil Bennett, a dazzling fly-half, celebrated for his sidestepping runs and pivotal role in Wales’ success in the 1970s.
#22. Jeremy Guscott (England)
Jeremy Guscott, an elegant centre, known for his silky skills and key contributions to England and the British Lions.
Jeremy Guscott, an elegant centre, known for his silky skills and key contributions to England and the British Lions.
#21. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Stuart Hogg, a dynamic full-back, known for his attacking flair and leadership, becoming a key figure for Scotland in recent years.
Stuart Hogg, a dynamic full-back, known for his attacking flair and leadership, becoming a key figure for Scotland in recent years.
#20 - #11
#20. Gerald Davies (Wales)
Gerald Davies, a brilliant winger, famed for his sidestepping runs and try-scoring ability, a key player for Wales in the 1970s.
Gerald Davies, a brilliant winger, famed for his sidestepping runs and try-scoring ability, a key player for Wales in the 1970s.
#19. Gavin Hastings (Scotland)
Gavin Hastings, a powerful full-back, known for his reliable goal-kicking and leadership, captaining Scotland and the British Lions.
Gavin Hastings, a powerful full-back, known for his reliable goal-kicking and leadership, captaining Scotland and the British Lions.
#18. Richard Hill (England)
Richard Hill, an all-around flanker, celebrated for his work rate and crucial role in England’s 2003 World Cup campaign.
Richard Hill, an all-around flanker, celebrated for his work rate and crucial role in England’s 2003 World Cup campaign.
#17. Jason Leonard (England)
Jason Leonard, a durable prop, earning 114 caps for England, known for his scrummaging strength and longevity.
Jason Leonard, a durable prop, earning 114 caps for England, known for his scrummaging strength and longevity.
#16. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Taulupe Faletau, a versatile number eight, known for his athleticism and consistency, a mainstay in the Welsh back row.
Taulupe Faletau, a versatile number eight, known for his athleticism and consistency, a mainstay in the Welsh back row.
#15. Doddie Weir (Scotland)
Doddie Weir, a charismatic lock, celebrated for his line-out prowess and dynamic play, becoming a beloved figure in Scottish rugby.
Doddie Weir, a charismatic lock, celebrated for his line-out prowess and dynamic play, becoming a beloved figure in Scottish rugby.
#14. Jason Robinson (England)
Jason Robinson, a lightning-fast winger/full-back, known for his explosive speed and try-scoring ability, pivotal in England’s 2003 World Cup win.
Jason Robinson, a lightning-fast winger/full-back, known for his explosive speed and try-scoring ability, pivotal in England’s 2003 World Cup win.
#13. Ben Youngs (England)
Ben Youngs, a swift scrum-half, known for his quick thinking and leadership, becoming England’s most-capped scrum-half.
Ben Youngs, a swift scrum-half, known for his quick thinking and leadership, becoming England’s most-capped scrum-half.
Ben Youngs of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#12. Sam Warburton (Wales)
Sam Warburton, a resilient flanker, led Wales and the British Lions with distinction, known for his breakdown skills and leadership.
Sam Warburton, a resilient flanker, led Wales and the British Lions with distinction, known for his breakdown skills and leadership.
Top 10
#10. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Lawrence Dallaglio, a powerful number eight, known for his leadership and all-around skills, key to England’s 2003 World Cup triumph.
Lawrence Dallaglio, a powerful number eight, known for his leadership and all-around skills, key to England’s 2003 World Cup triumph.
#9. Martyn Williams (Wales)
Martyn Williams, a versatile flanker, celebrated for his work rate and intelligence, crucial in Wales’ Six Nations successes.
Martyn Williams, a versatile flanker, celebrated for his work rate and intelligence, crucial in Wales’ Six Nations successes.
#8. Owen Farrell (England)
Owen Farrell, a reliable fly-half/centre, known for his goal-kicking and leadership, a central figure in England’s recent successes.
Owen Farrell, a reliable fly-half/centre, known for his goal-kicking and leadership, a central figure in England’s recent successes.
Owen Farrell of England check out the pitch ahead of the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#7. JPR Williams (Wales)
JPR Williams, a legendary full-back, known for his fearless tackling and attacking prowess, a cornerstone of Wales’ team in the 1970s.
JPR Williams, a legendary full-back, known for his fearless tackling and attacking prowess, a cornerstone of Wales’ team in the 1970s.
#6. Shane Williams (Wales)
Shane Williams, a dazzling winger, celebrated for his speed and agility, becoming Wales’ all-time leading try-scorer.
Shane Williams, a dazzling winger, celebrated for his speed and agility, becoming Wales’ all-time leading try-scorer.
#5. Barry John (Wales)
Barry John, an iconic fly-half, known for his skill and vision, leading Wales and the British Lions to numerous victories in the 1970s.
Barry John, an iconic fly-half, known for his skill and vision, leading Wales and the British Lions to numerous victories in the 1970s.
#4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Alun Wyn Jones, a towering lock, known for his leadership and consistency, becoming the most-capped rugby player in history.
Alun Wyn Jones, a towering lock, known for his leadership and consistency, becoming the most-capped rugby player in history.
#3. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Jonny Wilkinson, a legendary fly-half, famed for his goal-kicking, particularly his drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final.
Jonny Wilkinson, a legendary fly-half, famed for his goal-kicking, particularly his drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final.
#2. Martin Johnson (England)
Martin Johnson, a formidable lock, captained England to World Cup glory in 2003, known for his leadership and physicality.
Martin Johnson, a formidable lock, captained England to World Cup glory in 2003, known for his leadership and physicality.
#1. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
Gareth Edwards, an exceptional scrum-half, celebrated for his all-around skills and leadership, considered the greatest rugby player of all time.
Gareth Edwards, an exceptional scrum-half, celebrated for his all-around skills and leadership, considered the greatest rugby player of all time.
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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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