100 Greatest Rugby Union Players

[Tim]

Criteria: Influence, personal & team achievements, reputation, sportsmanship

1. Richie McCaw (New Zealand, 2001–2015; Flanker)
2. Gareth Edwards (Wales, 1967–1978; Scrum-half)
3. Dan Carter (New Zealand, 2003–2015; Fly-half)
4. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand, 1994–2001; Wing)
5. Colin Meads (New Zealand, 1957–1971; Lock)
6. David Campese (Australia, 1982–1996; Wing)
7. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland, 1999–2014; Centre)
8. Jonny Wilkinson (England, 1998–2011, Fly-half)
9. Martin Johnson (England, 1993–2003; Lock)
10. John Eales (Australia, 1991–2001; Lock)
11. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand, 1986–1997; Hooker)
12. Serge Blanco (France, 1980–1991; Fullback)
13. Michael Jones (New Zealand, 1987–1998; Flanker)
14. Willie John McBride (Ireland, 1962–1975; Lock)
15. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa, 2013–; Flanker, lock)
16. J. P. R. Williams (Wales, 1969–1981; Fullback)
17. Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa, 1993–2003; Scrum-half)
18. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand, 1987–1997; Number 8, Flanker)
19. Bryan Habana (South Africa, 2004–2016; Wing)
20. George Gregan (Australia, 1994–2007; Scrum-half)
21. Hugo Porta (Argentina, 1971–1990; Fly-half)
22. Jason Leonard (England, 1990–2004; Prop)
23. Tim Horan (Australia, 1989–2000; Centre)
24. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand, 2012–; Fly-half, fullback)
25. Victor Matfield (South Africa, 2001–2015; Lock)
26. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand, 2012–2023; Lock)
27. Francois Pienaar (South Africa, 1993–1996; Flanker)
28. Antoine Dupont (France, 2017–; Scrum-half)
29. Ian Kirkpatrick (New Zealand, 1967–1977; Flanker)
30. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand, 2002–2015; Prop)
31. Barry John (Wales, 1966–1972; Fly-half)
32. Frik du Preez (South Africa, 1961–1971; Lock)
33. Graham Price (Wales, 1975–1983; Prop)
34. Kieran Read (New Zealand, 2008–2019, Number 8)
35. John Smit (South Africa, 2000–2011; Hooker, prop)
36. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand; 2003–2015; Centre)
37. Lawrence Dallaglio (England, 1995–2007; Flanker, number 8)
38. David Pocock (Australia, 2008–2019; Flanker)
39. Philippe Sella (France, 1982–1995; Centre)
40. Johnny Sexton (Ireland, 2009–2023; Fly-half)
41. Gavin Hastings (Scotland, 1986–1995; Fullback)
42. Mike Gibson (Ireland, 1964–1979; Centre)
43. Wavell Wakefield (England, 1920–1927; Flanker)
44. Eben Etzbeth (South Africa, 2012–; Lock)
45. Jean-Pierre Rives (France, 1975–1984; Flanker)
46. Nick Farr-Jones (Australia, 1984–1993; Scrum-half)
47. Michael Lynagh (Australia, 1984–1995; Fly-half)
48. Mervyn Davies (Wales, 1969–1976; Number 8)
49. Christian Cullen (New Zealand, 1996–2003; Fullback)
50. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand, 2010–2023; Lock)
51. Shane Williams (Wales, 2000–2011; Wing)
52. Morné du Plessis (South Africa, 1971–1980; Number 8)
53. Danie Craven (South Africa, 1931–1938; Scrum-half)
54. Jason Robinson (England, 2001–2007; Wing, fullback)
55. Neil Back (England, 1994–2003; Flanker)
56. Paul O'Connell (Ireland, 2002–2015; Lock)
57. Jean Prat (France, 1945–1955; Flanker)
58. Keith Wood (Ireland, 1994–2003; Hooker)
59. Gerald Davies (Wales, 1966–1978; Wing, centre)
60. Jack Kyle (Ireland, 1946–1958; Fly-half)
61. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales, 2006–2023; Lock)
62. Mark Ella (Australia, 1980–1984; Fly-half)
63. Naas Botha (South Africa; 1980–1992; Fly-half)
64. George Nēpia (New Zealand, 1924–1930; Fullback)
65. Thierry Dusautoir (France, 2006–2015; Flanker)
66. Siya Kolisi (South Africa, 2013–; Flanker)
67. Danie Gerber (South Africa, 1980–1992; Centre)
68. Richard Hill (England, 1997–2008; Flanker)
69. Phil Kearns (Australia, 1989–1999; Hooker)
70. Ken Catchpole (Australia, 1961–1968; Scrum-half)
71. Andy Irvine (Scotland, 1972–1982; Fullback)
72. Fourie du Preez (South Africa, 2004–2015; Scrum-half)
73. Cliff Morgan (Wales, 1951–1958; Fly-half)
74. Owen Farrell (England, 2012–2023; Fly-half, centre)
75. Maro Itoje (England, 2016–; Lock)
76. Schalk Burger (South Africa, 2003–2015; Flanker)
77. George Smith (Australia, 2000–2013; Flanker)
78. Sergio Parisse (Italy, 2002–2019; Number 8)
79. Tana Umaga (New Zealand, 1997–2005; Centre)
80. Bakkies Botha (South Africa, 2002–2014, Lock)
81. Grant Fox (New Zealand, 1984–1993; Fly-half)
82. Fabien Galthié (France, 1991–2003; Scrum-half)
83. Stephen Larkham (Australia, 1996–2007; Fly-half)
84. Peter Winterbottom (England, 1982–1993; Flanker)
85. Chester Williams (South Africa, 1993–2000, Wing)
86. John Kirwan (New Zealand, 1984–1994; Wing)
87. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa, 2018–; Wing)
88. Matt Giteau (Australia, 2002–2016; Centre, scrum-half, fly-half)
89. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa, 2012–2023; Number 8, flanker)
90. Jeremy Guscott (England, 1989–1999; Centre)
91. Will Greenwood (England, 1997–2004; Centre)
92. Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand, 1995–2004; Fly-half)
93. Gordon Brown (Scotland, 1969–1976; Lock)
94. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa, 2008–2019; Prop)
95. André Boniface (France, 1954–1966; Centre, wing)
96. Ronan O'Gara (Ireland, 2000–2013; Fly-half)
97. Os du Randt (South Africa, 1994–2007; Prop)
98. Buck Shelford (New Zealand, 1986–1990; Number 8)
99. Jo Maso (France, 1966–1973; Centre)
100. Tony O'Reilly (Ireland, 1955–1970; Wing)