England legend Martin Johnson ranks his five greatest of all-time

When the centre retired from international rugby in 1995, his 111 appearances made him the world's most capped player. During a career that spanned 13 years, Sella had mesmerised and destroyed defences the world over.

“I used to watch him as a kid on TV and think he was brilliant; and then ten years later I played against him and he was still brilliant. He still looks as if he could play for France today. One of the best backs I’ve ever seen. If you hit him it was like running into concrete.”

No.8 Wayne "Buck" Shelford captained the All Blacks in the late 1980s and was part of the squad which took the 1987 World Cup.

“Buck was at his peak for the World Cup final in 1987. I remember watching him as a 16-year-old on the terraces at Leicester a year earlier and saw him charge down the flank, chip the ball over the wing and score a try. Not bad for a back row.”

The giant All Blacks wing was rugby's first global star. He burst on the scene at the 1995 World Cup with some of the most destructive performances the rugby world had ever seen and with professionalism in its infancy Lomu became rugby's first millionaire.

“Not much difficulty in choosing one of the most awesome wings to have ever played," said Johnson.

Jonny Wilkinson will forever be remembered as the man who kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory in Australia in 2003 - slotting a last-gasp drop goal in extra-time to edge out the hosts in a thrilling tournament finale. Regularly a left-footer, the talented fly-half slotted that memorable kick with his right foot to cement his place in English sporting history. That moment is just one highlight of a record-breaking career that has seen Wilkinson rise to one of the sport's all-time greats.

"Jonny was special, not just for his kicking," said Johnson. "I remember in the 2003 Grand Slam decider in Dublin, Ireland attacked down the right and Jonny was there to stop them; then they switched quickly to the left and Jonny was there to stop them too.”

The 55-cap second-row is widely considered one of the greatest players in history. Nicknamed ‘Pinetree’ due to his physical presence, he was an icon within New Zealand rugby, and was named the country’s Player of the Century at the NZRFU Awards in 1999.

"I could have picked any one of my 2003 teammates, but I've gone for my rugby hero," said Johnson. "He played in the 1960s but was a very modern player. Meads was the greatest ever All Black."