4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Jones’ leadership and unwavering commitment made him a titan of Welsh rugby. With an insatiable work rate and unyielding physicality, he led by example on and off the field, inspiring teammates to greatness and etching his name in rugby folklore.
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
O’Connell’s towering presence and tactical acumen made him a linchpin of Irish rugby’s second row. A master of the line-out and a fierce competitor in the loose, he led with authority and led by example, earning adulation as one of Ireland’s greatest locks.
6. Tom Croft (England)
Croft’s explosive athleticism and aerial prowess made him a standout in English rugby’s back row. A dynamic presence at the breakdown and a menace in open play, he left a trail of destruction in his wake, earning plaudits as one of the premier flankers of his era.
Gatland wrote: “This was the hardest selection, given the quality of player I worked with here. I still wonder what a player Stephen Ferris could have been for us if he had not picked up a knee injury on the 2009 tour. I am also a big fan of Courtney Lawes. But Tom at his best was an incredible athlete, quick and explosive and a brilliant line-out operator.
“Not originally selected in 2009 but forced his way into the Test side, scoring twice against the Springboks in the first Test. We didn’t see the best of him in 2013 because of injury.”
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
Warburton’s sheer tenacity and breakdown expertise made him a colossus of Welsh rugby’s back row. A relentless force at the breakdown and a consummate leader on the field, he set the standard for modern openside flankers, earning accolades as one of the best in the business.
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Faletau’s ball-carrying prowess and defensive steel made him a linchpin of Welsh rugby’s back row. With thunderous runs and bone-crunching tackles, he imposed his will on the game, earning plaudits as one of the premier number eights of his generation.