Warren Gatland snubs Warburton and Jones as he names his greatest-ever captain

Thursday, 23 April 2026 at 11:05

bySteven Smith

Warren Gatland has never been one to sit on the fence, but even for a coach known for bold calls, narrowing down his five greatest British and Irish Lions of all time is no easy task.

Tasked with picking the very best, Gatland’s selections inevitably evoke memories of the iconic 1971 British and Irish Lions—a side etched into rugby folklore.

Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

As a youngster growing up in New Zealand, Gatland vividly remembers the arrival of that legendary touring team, a moment that helped shape his lifelong connection to the sport. Yet despite that influence, his final five includes just two players from that historic squad.

Perhaps even more surprising, Gatland overlooked modern Welsh greats like Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones in favour of a captain he rates above all others he has worked with.

⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!

#1. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

A name synonymous with rugby brilliance, Edwards is widely regarded as the finest scrum-half the game has ever seen. Born in 1947, he earned 53 caps for Wales and starred for the Lions, blending speed, intelligence and attacking flair.

His unforgettable try against New Zealand in 1973 remains one of rugby’s defining moments.

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.”

DID YOU KNOW? In 2003, a poll by Rugby World magazine crowned Edwards the greatest player of all time.

#2. JPR Williams (Wales)

Fearless and uncompromising, Williams redefined what it meant to be a fullback. Born in 1949, he combined defensive ferocity with attacking power, earning 55 caps for Wales and multiple Lions selections.

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? Away from rugby, Williams built a career as an orthopaedic surgeon and remained closely involved in the sport.

#3. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

One of Ireland’s all-time greats, O’Driscoll brought intelligence, creativity and leadership to the centre position. Born in 1979, he won 133 caps for Ireland and captained the Lions, leaving a legacy defined by consistency and class.

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 ranks among the top try scorers in international rugby history and is the highest-scoring centre ever.

#4. Martin Johnson (England)

A towering lock and inspirational leader, Johnson captained England to Rugby World Cup glory in 2003. Born in 1970, his physicality and relentless competitiveness made him one of the most respected figures in the game.

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

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson comes from a sporting lineage—his great-grandfather was a wrestler.

#5. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)

Completing the list is the man Gatland rates as the best captain he has ever worked with. A dominant back-row forward, Dallaglio was central to England’s 2003 World Cup triumph and later became a respected voice in the sport.

GATLAND SAID:
“The best captain that I’ve ever been involved with was Lawrence Dallaglio.

“He had that unbelievable ability to motivate players in a way that I’ve never seen anyone else able to do—particularly in the changing rooms.

“He’d talk the talk and then walk the walk. I’ve so much admiration for his leadership and honesty in that role.”

DID YOU KNOW? Dallaglio is among a select group of players to have won both the Rugby World Cup and the Sevens World Cup.

Rugby Fans Vote for the Greatest British & Irish Lions XV of All Time

Over 207,000 votes were counted following a public poll based on a shortlist curated by a panel of rugby experts. Here's the fan-selected all-time Lions team by position, including percentage of the vote and key highlights from each player's legendary career.

? Fullback: JPR Williams (Wales) – 72%

Runner-up: Gavin Hastings (Scotland) – 10%
Also in contention: Jason Robinson (England) – 10%

JPR Williams was instrumental in the 1971 and 1974 tours, boasting a remarkable record of five Test wins, two draws, and just one loss. His fearless playing style and consistency at the back earned him legendary status.

? Winger: Gerald Davies (Wales) – 21%

Runner-up: JJ Williams (Wales) – 19%

Part of the iconic Welsh contingent of the 1968 and 1971 Lions squads, Davies later returned to serve as tour manager in 2009. A pacey and intelligent winger who was vital during the Lions' successful tours.

? Winger: Jason Robinson (England) – 22%

Runner-up: Tony O'Reilly (Ireland) – 9%

Known for his dazzling footwork and explosive speed, Robinson made an immediate impact during the 2001 tour to Australia, scoring a stunning solo try in the first Test against the Wallabies.

?️ Outside Centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) – 43%

Runner-up: Will Greenwood (England) – 4%

Arguably Ireland’s greatest-ever player, O'Driscoll toured four times (2001–2013) and captained the Lions in 2005. His attacking flair was pivotal in the 2001 series win in Australia.

?️ Inside Centre: Jeremy Guscott (England) – 20%

Runner-up: Mike Gibson (Ireland) – 15%

Dubbed "The Prince of Centres," Guscott's crowning moment came in 1997 when he kicked the series-winning drop goal against South Africa in the second Test.

? Fly-half: Barry John (Wales) – 51%

Runner-up: Phil Bennett (Wales) – 21%

Known simply as "The King," Barry John delivered a masterclass in the 1971 tour to New Zealand, scoring 30 of the Lions’ 48 points in the series win over the All Blacks.

? Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales) – 85%

Runner-up: Matt Dawson (England) – 9%

A driving force behind the only Lions series win in New Zealand in 1971, Edwards’ relentless work rate helped power the Lions to glory again in 1974.

? Loosehead Prop: Jason Leonard (England) – 21%

Runner-up: Gethin Jenkins (Wales) – 6%

The “Fun Bus” went on three Lions tours and brought immense experience and versatility to the front row.

? Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland) – 51%

Runner-up: Brian Moore (England) – 16%

“Woody” was a standout performer on the 1997 tour to South Africa, winning Man of the Match in the second Test. He also became the first-ever IRB World Player of the Year.

? Tighthead Prop: Fran Cotton (England) – 24%

Runner-up: Graham Price (Wales) – 7%

Cotton dominated scrums during the 1977 New Zealand tour and was also part of the famous 1974 Lions team in South Africa.

? Lock: Martin Johnson (England) – 40

Runner-up: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) – 9%

A commanding leader, Johnson captained the Lions in 1997 and 2001 and remains one of the most respected forwards in rugby history.

? Lock: Willie John McBride (Ireland) – 43%

Runner-up: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) – 3%

With 17 Test appearances across five tours, McBride was a colossus of Lions rugby. He captained the undefeated 1974 team and is often cited as the greatest lock ever produced by the British Isles.

? Blindside Flanker: Richard Hill (England) – 29%

Runner-up: Finlay Calder (Scotland) – 8%

A key figure in the 1997 and 2001 tours, Hill's reliability and decision-making at the breakdown were vital to the Lions' success.

? Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) – 23%

Runner-up: Fergus Slattery (Ireland) – 18%

Warburton captained the Lions in both 2013 and 2017, leading them to a historic drawn series against the All Blacks. His leadership and breakdown dominance made him an obvious pick.