Rugby history top 10: The greatest centres of all time as O'Driscoll and Sella fight for top spot

Rugby history top 10: The greatest centres of all time as O’Driscoll and Sella fight for top spot

8. Frank Bunce

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The often underrated Frank Bunce was known globally as a hard-hitting, uncompromising tackling machine but he also knew where the try line was.

The outside centre formed a formidable centre partnership with Walter Little for the All Blacks and was part of the side that reached the 1995 Rugby Cup Final where South Africa, who were the underdogs, triumphed. In total, the midfielder made 55 appearances for New Zealand, scoring 20 tries.

Did you know: From 2001 to 2003 he coached Italy.

7. Will Carling

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England Captain at the age of 22 Will Carling led one of the most successful England sides in history in the early 1990s, which is a team fondly remembered particularly for his centre partnership with Jeremy Guscott. They achieved the rare feat of back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations in 1991 and 1992.

That Engand side also reached the 1991 World Cup final at Twickenham, beating France in Paris and Scotland in Edinburgh en route to the final against Australia where they lost out. Carling also completed a hat-trick of Grand Slams with another triumph in 1995.

Did you know: Carling attended Sedburgh School on an army scholarship and joined up after graduating from Durham University.
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