The greatest rugby XV that ever lived: Three England players selected

Saturday, 06 November 2021 at 08:49

byRugby Rucker

Rugby fans have voted for their greatest team of all-time in a controversial Twitter poll and some huge names have missed out.

The sport has been blessed with incredible players across their history and narrowing it down to just 15 is difficult.

No active player manages to make it and there is also no spot for Dan Carter - the top international point scorer of all-time.

Check out the entire voting below:

BACK-THREE:

15. Serge Blanco (France)
14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
11. David Campese (Australia)

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Did you know? In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories

Honourable mentions: Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), JPR Williams (Wales)

CENTRES:

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Tim Horan (Australia)

Did you know? O'Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.

Honourable mentions: Jeremy Guscott (England), Will Greenwood (England), Frank Bunce (New Zealand), Phillipe Sella (France), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Brian Lima (Samoa)

HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

Did you know? In 1997 he gave up the student life to become a professional rugby union player with the Newcastle Falcons.

Honourable mentions: Dan Carter (New Zealand), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Michael Lynagh (Australia), Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa), George Gregan (Australia)

FRONT-ROW:

1. Os du Randt (South Africa)
2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)

Honourable mentions: Os du Randt (South Africa), Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina), Steve McDowell (New Zealand), Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand), John Smit (South Africa), Mario Ledesma (Argentina)

SECOND-ROW:

4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. John Eales (Australia)

Did you know? Johnson was awarded an OBE by The Queen in 1997 but later honoured with a CBE in the aftermath of England’s Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003.

Honourable mentions: Victor Matfield (South Africa), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Colin Meads (New Zealand), Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

BACK-ROW:

6. Richard Hill (England)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)

Honourable mentions: George Smith (Australia), Neil Back (England) Schalk Burger (South Africa), Jerry Collins (New Zealand), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand), Francois Pienaar (South Africa), Sergio Parisse (Italy), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Wayne Shelford (New Zealand)