Warren Gatland ranks Jones and O’Driscoll in his top five Lions of all-time

Friday, 10 September 2021 at 16:27

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byRugby Rucker

Warren Gatland is not afraid of making tough decisions, but picking his top five Lions of all-time may be his toughest yet.

He was asked to name his five greatest Lions in history. Surely the 1971 Lions would feature heavily in his selection.

Gatland was a wide-eyed eight-year-old when those history-making Lions arrived in his native New Zealand.

Two of that party do make it into Gatland’s top five Lions of all-time but who are they

#1. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

GATLAND SAID: "To me, he is probably the greatest halfback we've seen in the game. He was quick, intelligent and scored a lot of tries."

In 2003, in a poll of international rugby players conducted by magazine, Edwards was declared the greatest player of all time.

Rugby World

#2. JPR Williams (Wales)

GATLAND SAID: "He was incredibly tough, even though he was a fullback he probably could have played in the forwards. He definitely put his body on the line."

DID YOU KNOW? An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Williams has continued to be involved in rugby since retirement

#3. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

GATLAND SAID: "In his prime, he was absolutely outstanding in terms of his rugby knowledge and leadership. He was always able to make players around him look better than they were."

DID YOU KNOW? He is the 8th-highest try scorer in international rugby union history, and the highest scoring centre of all time

#4. Martin Johnson (England)

GATLAND SAID: "An unbelievable leader. Probably the most competitive player I've ever come across. Very tough and loved a challenge."

DID YOU KNOW? Martin Johnson comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler

#5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

GATLAND SAID: "I think he's got a fantastic balance between rugby, training and home and he's matured incredibly well, is unbelievably respected by the players - the example that he sets at training, the high expectations that he has on himself.

"What I admire about him is he still never takes the jersey for granted, you know he's still waiting for selection. ‘If I'm selected next week’ those sort of comments that he makes.

"He respects the opportunity that he’s had to play for Wales, he’s so proud as a passionate Welshman to have played. And of course the Lions, as well."