Choosing between Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter is just one of the brutal decisions when assembling the greatest team of all time.
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Over 200,000 rugby fans have spoken, casting their votes in a BBC poll to decide the ultimate all-time XV. With so much talent to pick from, some absolute icons missed out. But these are the legends that made the cut.
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15. SERGE BLANCO (France)
The definition of flair. Blanco was a magician in the No.15 shirt, tearing apart defences with his electric footwork and blistering pace. Despite playing in an era when French rugby was more about brute force than backline brilliance, Blanco brought a touch of artistry to the game.
- Scored 38 tries in 93 Tests for France
- Helped Les Bleus reach the inaugural Rugby World Cup final in 1987
- Famously smoked cigarettes at half-time—imagine that in today's game
14. BRYAN HABANA (South Africa)
Bryan Habana was so fast that he once raced a cheetah—yes, an actual cheetah—as part of a promotional stunt. While he didn’t quite beat the big cat, he certainly left defenders in his dust throughout his career. The Springbok speedster was a key figure in South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning campaign.
- Joint-top try scorer in Rugby World Cup history with 15 tries
- Won the IRB Player of the Year award in 2007
- Studied marketing before choosing rugby as a full-time career
13. BRIAN O'DRISCOLL (Ireland)
A once-in-a-generation talent, O’Driscoll was Ireland’s heartbeat for well over a decade. Known for his outrageous footwork, defensive steel, and knack for scoring crucial tries, he became one of the most respected figures in world rugby.
- Captained Ireland for nine years, earning 133 Test caps
- Scored a famous hat-trick against France in 2000, announcing himself on the world stage
- Inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016
12. MA’A NONU (New Zealand)
Nonu was built like a bulldozer but played with the finesse of a back-three player. His ability to smash through tackles and offload in the tightest spaces made him a nightmare to defend against. Even in his 40s, he is still playing professionally in the USA.
- Won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015
- Started his professional career as a winger before transitioning to centre
- Had a brief stint playing football in New Zealand's second division
11. JONAH LOMU (New Zealand)
Lomu wasn’t just a rugby player—he was a phenomenon. Standing at 6ft 5in and over 18 stone, he redefined what was possible for a winger. His destruction of England in the 1995 World Cup remains one of the most famous performances in rugby history.
- Scored seven tries at the 1995 World Cup, despite being just 20 years old
- Could run 100 metres in under 11 seconds at his peak
- Tragically passed away in 2015 due to a kidney condition
10. DAN CARTER (New Zealand)
Carter was the perfect fly-half. He could kick, pass, step, and tackle like a back-row forward. His performance in the 2015 World Cup final was one of the great individual displays in rugby history.
- Holds the record for most points in Test rugby with 1,598
- Won three World Rugby Player of the Year awards
- Turned down a career in professional cricket to pursue rugby
9. JOOST VAN DER WESTHUIZEN (South Africa)
Van der Westhuizen was ahead of his time as a scrum-half. At 6ft 2in, he was unusually tall for the position, yet he used his size to terrorise opposition defences. He played a key role in South Africa’s 1995 World Cup victory.
- Earned 89 caps for the Springboks
- One of the few scrum-halves who could match Jonah Lomu physically
- Diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011 and passed away in 2017
1. JASON LEONARD (England)
Leonard was the cornerstone of England’s scrum for over a decade. A powerful yet technically brilliant prop, he played a vital role in England’s 2003 World Cup triumph.
- Won a record-breaking 114 caps for England
- Played in four World Cups across three different decades
- Nicknamed "The Fun Bus" due to his larger-than-life personality
2. SEAN FITZPATRICK (New Zealand)
Fitzpatrick was the All Blacks’ enforcer during the early professional era. A tough, uncompromising hooker, he captained New Zealand for five years and helped set the foundation for their modern dominance.
- Won the 1987 Rugby World Cup
- Played 92 Tests for the All Blacks
- Once went an incredible 63 matches unbeaten with New Zealand
3. OWEN FRANKS (New Zealand)
A machine in the scrum, Franks was a pillar of New Zealand’s dominance throughout the 2010s. His technical ability and work rate saw him win two World Cups without ever scoring a single Test try.
- Won back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015
- Played 108 Tests for New Zealand
- Never scored a try in his international career
4. MARTIN JOHNSON (England)
Johnson was the ultimate leader. England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain led from the front, playing with a mix of raw aggression and icy composure. His physicality and leadership made him a nightmare for opposition forwards.
- Won 84 caps for England
- Captained the British & Irish Lions on two tours, in 1997 and 2001
- Became England head coach in 2008 but stepped down after the 2011 World Cup
5. JOHN EALES (Australia)
A lock who could kick goals, Eales was one of the most well-rounded players in rugby history. His leadership helped Australia dominate world rugby in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Won two Rugby World Cups in 1991 and 1999
- Scored over 170 points in Test rugby—an incredible feat for a lock
- Nicknamed "Nobody" because "Nobody's perfect"
6. FRANCOIS PIENAAR (South Africa)
The man who lifted the 1995 Rugby World Cup in front of Nelson Mandela. Pienaar was more than just a great player—he was a unifying figure for a divided nation.
- Earned 29 caps for South Africa
- Personally recruited by Nelson Mandela to be the Springbok captain
- His story was immortalised in the film "Invictus"
7. RICHIE MCCAW (New Zealand)
McCaw is the greatest openside flanker of all time. A relentless breakdown warrior, he captained New Zealand to two World Cup wins and played a staggering 148 Tests.
- The only man to captain two Rugby World Cup-winning teams
- Won World Rugby Player of the Year three times
- Turned down a knighthood after retiring, saying he was "just a rugby player"
8. ZINZAN BROOKE (New Zealand)
Brooke had the skillset of a fly-half but played in the back row. His ability to kick drop goals and distribute like a back made him one of the most unique number eights in history.
- Won the 1987 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand
- Scored 17 tries in 58 Tests—an outstanding tally for a forward
- Once landed a 47-metre drop goal in a World Cup match
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