Will Carling named two forgotten internationals in 'absolutely class' dream XV

Thursday, 27 October 2022 at 09:35

byRugby Rucker

The definitive list of all-time greats from former England captain Will Carling, which includes three England legends.

#BACK-THREE:

15. Serge Blanco (Full-back, France, 93 caps)

Carling wrote: "He sums up all that is brilliant about French rugby. He had the audacity to take risks that no one else would. He was daring but he had the breathtaking ability to pull it off. He turned many matches from full-back. He was the epitome of the brilliant Frenchmen. A dream to watch, a nightmare to play against.

14. David Campese (Wing, Australia, 101 caps)

Carling wrote: "He was well ahead of his time. His anticipation and vision was way ahead of what everyone else was attempting, and 99 per cent of it came off. He took running lines no one else could fathom and made passes no one could see were on. He was an extraordinary talent - the best winger."

11. Jonah Lomu (Wing, New Zealand, 63 caps)

Talking of nightmares, the physical impact that Lomu had on the 1995 World Cup was beyond the effect of any other player in the history of the game. He was so quick, so powerful and so strong that he changed rugby. He could singlehandedly take on four or five players - no one had done that before or has done it since.

#CENTRES:

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Centre, Ireland, 71 caps)

Carling wrote: "As a balanced centre he has everything - pace strength, great attacking skill and is as good in defence as attack. On the 2001 Lions tour, he showed his outstanding talent as the stand out back in the series. He has the ability to prise open defences that other players cannot even contemplate. With his poise, his change of speed and his closeness to the ground it is very hard to stop him. Ireland were half the side without him."

12. Danie Gerber (Centre, South Africa, 24 caps)

Carling wrote: "I wouldn't have liked to have played against him. With his pace, power and aggression, he was like a little rocket. He was built like a tank and had the pace of an F1 car. Although he wasn't seen much on the international scene (because of the apartheid boycotts) he made a huge impact. With more time he would have had an incredible effect."

#HALFBACKS:

10. Hugo Porta (Fly-half, Argentina, 58 caps)

Carling wrote: "Out of anyone that has made an impact on international rugby, few can match Porta. Argentina were playing at a lower level until the class of Porta lifted them. He was a great kicker of the dead ball and out of hand but he was also tactically astute - he knew when to attack and when to kick. He put Argentina on the world map single-handedly, an amazing achievement."

9. Gareth Edwards (Scrum-half, Wales, 53 caps)

Carling wrote: "It's hard to compare generations, yet Edwards is the one guy I can say that would have been great whenever he played. He was a supreme athlete with supreme skills, the complete package. He played in the 1970s, but, if he played now, he would still be the best. He was outstanding at running, passing, kicking and reading the game. He sits astride the whole of rugby as the ultimate athlete on the pitch."

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Jason Leonard (Prop, England, 114 caps)

Carling wrote: "More than 100 caps as a prop is unbelievable."

jason leonard englands most capped rugby player

2. Sean Fitzpatrick (Hooker, New Zealand, 92 caps)

Carling wrote: "Nasty, ultra-competitive winner."

3. Graham Price (Prop, Wales, 41 caps)

Carling wrote: "To me any prop that can run the length of the field and score at Parc des Princes is very special."

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Martin Johnson (Second row, England, 84 caps)

Carling wrote: "Inspirational leader, formidable player, competitive in every situation. The example he set in tight situations led the way. He didn't ask you for effort or even have to demand it, his very presence made you want to live up to his high standards. He was indispensable to England in the World Cup win. He made it happen."

5. Colin Meads (Second row, New Zealand, 55 caps)

Carling wrote: 'Pinetree' - this hard man was the foundation which the success of the All Blacks was built around.

#BACK-ROW:

6 .Richard Hill (Flanker, England, 71 caps)

Carling wrote: "I’m a huge fan of his. Great work rate, great lines, great at reading the game. Quiet, unassuming demeanour but was always vital."

7. Michael Jones (Openside, New Zealand, 55 caps)

Like Zinzan Brooke for ball skills. He also had great acceleration and pace and could have played for most international midfields. Yet he was a No 7 who read the game brilliantly and was devastating in defence. He was the first multi talented openside. Up until he played it was unheard of to be such a complete player in this position.

8. Zinzan Brooke (No 8, New Zealand, 58 caps)

Carling wrote: "A No 8 who could drop a goal from the 10-metre line. For a forward his skills were outrageous. As comfortable playing sevens as 15s, he had better kicking and handling skills than some fly-halves playing international rugby. You align that with his strength and ability as a forward to read the game - he was unique."

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