Wales vs. England – who makes RUCK’s all-time combined XV?
Rugby NewsMonday, 18 February 2019 at 16:02
Ahead of this weekend’s Rugby World Cup warm-up at Twickenham, RUCK selects their all-time best combined England and Wales line-up. Do you agree with his selection?
Fullback: J.P.R. Williams - WAL
As part of the swaggering 1970s era, he was fearless, skilful, quick, aggressive, and he regarded a breach of the Wales try-line as an invasion of his personal property. Factor in the sideburns and the socks rolled down around the ankles, and you have a truly iconic figure.
Winger: Jason Robinson - ENG
He was a key member of the England team that hoisted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003. The devastating game-breaker briefly captained England while Jonny Wilkinson was out injured and after retiring from international rugby for a second time in 2007 had made 51 Test caps in total, scoring 140 points. Throughout his career, Robinson was noted for his acceleration, side step and ability to beat defenders.
MELBOURNE - JUNE 21: Jason Robinson of England charges forward during the Rugby Union Test Match between Australia and England held on June 21, 2003 at The Telstra Dome, in Melbourne, Australia. England won the match 25-14. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Centre: Will Greenwood - ENG
A tall, stylish and astute centre who had a particular penchant for scoring tries against Wales. Two Lions tours, but his finest hour was lifting the World Cup with England in 2003.
Centre: Scott Gibbs - WAL
oted as the Player of the Series in the Lions Tour of South Africa in 1997, Gibbs always had a strong impact on the pitch and after a brief stint of playing Rugby League, he returned to Rugby Union and in 1999 scored a superb solo try against England in the dying moments of the game securing a 32-31 win for the Welsh.
Winger: Shane Williams - WAL
He will go down as Wales’ record Test try scorer, scoring 58 tries in his 87appearances, and he remains the only Welshman to have won the prestigious IRB World Player of the Year award.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 21: A dejected Shane Williams of Wales reacts during the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup bronze final match between Wales and Australia at Eden Park on October 21, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson – ENG
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Jonny Wilkinson of England looks on during the Cook Cup Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and England at ANZ Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards - WAL
Scorer of 'The greatest try of all time' in 1973 whilst playing for the Barbarians, Edwards is unquestionably Wales' greatest ever scrum half. The number nine was named the BBC Welsh Sports Personality of the Year in 1974 and only a year later he received an MBE highlighting how great an impact Edwards made during his career.
Prop: Jason Leonard - ENG
The first Englishman to win 100 international caps. Leonard rode the professional transition and won Grand Slams, a World Cup and a Lions tour. Incredible durability for a front row forward.
Hooker: Brian Moore - ENG
Having since gone on to make a highly successful career for himself in punditry and match analysis, it's sometimes easy to forget what a presence Brian Moore was in the jersey, not just commenting on others from afar.
Prop: Adam Jones - WAL
He won three Grand Slams during a 100-cap Test career. Jones starred for Neath, then Ospreys, and played a season for Cardiff Blues before joining Harlequins in 2015. He retired last summer following a stellar career.
Lock: Martin Johnson – ENG
A player who led by example and the kind of man you would always want alongside you in the trenches when the chips are down. Would never ask someone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Captained the Lions on two tours, including the triumphant 1997 trip to South Africa, while he will always be remembered as the man presented with the 2003 World Cup, which England won in Sydney.
Lock: Alun Wyn Jones -WAL
Now with 131 Test caps to his name for the Lions and Wales, the Ospreys second row has grown into an inspirational and talismanic figure and would be a candidate for most people’s world team right now.
Flanker: Richard Hill - ENG
he ultimate players’ player. Did all the unseen, grafting work and just got on with his job in unassuming fashion, putting his body on the line. Able to excel right across the back row, he was a pivotal figure on two Lions trips and an England World Cup winner.
Flanker: Sam Warburton - WAL
The recently-retired back-row talisman shades it over Neil back for his achievements with the Lions in skippering two tours to Australia and New Zealand and emerging with a winning and drawn series. Hung up his boots after his battered body could take no more following 74 Tests for Wales and five for the Lions.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Sam Warburton of Wales smiles prior to the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Australia and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 10, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Steve Bardens - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Number 8: Lawrence Dallaglio - ENG
Went from being a schoolboy chorister to one of the most formidable physical presences in the game of rugby. Had it all in his prime – pace, power, aggression, pride and a steely mind-set. A Lions series winner, a World Cup winner and a trophy magnet with Wasps.
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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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