Brian O’Driscoll named the best centre of all-time, snubs himself

Drawing on several Q&As over the years—including interviews with the Six Nations—these are the opponents who left the biggest impression on one of rugby’s all-time greats:

Early in his career, Nonu was often defined by his explosive carrying and unmistakable look—but he evolved into one of the most complete midfielders the game has seen. Blending brutal gain-line power with soft hands, a deft kicking game and vastly improved decision-making, he became the prototype modern inside centre.

A central figure in New Zealand’s back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, Nonu formed a devastating long-term partnership with Conrad Smith. Together they balanced physical dominance with tactical intelligence, overwhelming defences in different ways. His crowning moment came in the 2015 final, when his famous try against Australia underlined his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.

Brian O'Driscoll said:
"Same height as me [5-foot-11] and still 16-stone. Probably the most complete centre in the modern game."

If Nonu was the power, Smith was the precision. Nicknamed “The Snake” for his ability to glide through impossibly tight spaces, the All Blacks outside centre mastered the subtleties of the position—elite running lines, flawless timing, and exceptional defensive reads.

Rarely flashy but relentlessly effective, Smith’s anticipation and distribution allowed him to unlock even the most organised defences. His understanding with Nonu became one of the most balanced and successful centre pairings in rugby history, built on trust, awareness and near-telepathic cohesion.

A double world champion with over 90 caps, Smith’s brilliance was often understated—but to those who played against him, his influence was impossible to ignore.

Brian O'Driscoll said:
“I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel."

Towering, skilful and deceptively elegant, Jauzion was the focal point of France’s midfield throughout the 2000s. Standing at 6ft 4in and weighing around 17 stone, he combined physical presence with exceptional handling, subtle offloading and an innate sense of timing.

At club level, he was a cornerstone of Toulouse’s golden era, helping drive the side to multiple Heineken Cup finals and playing a decisive role in their 2003 and 2005 triumphs. His man-of-the-match performance in the 2005 final highlighted his ability to control games against elite opposition.

Internationally, Jauzion was just as influential—France’s attacking shape often revolved around his ability to draw defenders and free space for others. Whether crashing over the gain line or releasing a perfectly timed offload, he was a constant source of problems for even the best defences.

Brian O'Driscoll said:
"Jauzion was just incredible and was so hard to stop, with his offloading ability. France built so much off and around him. 6-foot-4 and probably 17-stone."