Rugby doesn’t come much more blue-blooded than this.
“Geech” isn’t just a coach — he’s Lions royalty. Four tours at the helm, two more as a player. When it comes to rugby IQ, he’s operating on a different level.
A master tactician, a mentor, a game-shaper — Sir Ian McGeechan has influenced generations. Now 77, he remains one of the sharpest minds in the sport. When he speaks, the rugby world tunes in.
Writing in The Telegraph, McGeechan has unveiled his all-time XV — and it’s stacked. Six All Blacks, three English, two Welsh, plus one apiece from France, Scotland and Ireland.
As for his top five players of all time? Let’s just say England and Wales dominate the conversation.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
#5. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Revered as rugby’s unstoppable force, Lomu was a New Zealand legend whose mere presence struck fear into opponents.
His unmatched blend of size, speed, and skill revolutionised wing play, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
McGeechan wrote: “Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down.
“But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten.
“The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby.”
