“Different No.1's” – Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson rank their top five fly-halves
Rugby NewsWednesday, 10 September 2025 at 07:31
Legendary rugby fly-halves Dan Carter and Jonny Wilkinson have revealed their top five rugby union number 10's of all-time.
“You need guys that are going to lead and continue to do so right to the final seconds when it gets very, very tough." said Wilkinson when discussing his picks.
#5.
CARTER | Owen Farrell (England)
Farrell is England’s all-time leading points scorer and has been a central figure for both England and Saracens since making his debut in 2012. Known for his leadership and precision kicking, he captained England to a Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
Dan Carter said: ""I really like his competitive nature, the way that he gets stuck in. He's also an incredible goalkicker. Overall, there are plenty of attributes to like about Owen.”
Did you know: Farrell is the son of former England international Andy Farrell, who is now Ireland’s head coach.
WILKINSON | Grant Fox (New Zealand)
It only took Fox six games to amass 100 Test match points, and two years later he won the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1987. During the tournament, he scored 126 points from six matches finishing the tournament as the top points scorer.
Did you know: In December 2011 he was named as an All Blacks selector in Steve Hansen’s new coaching set-up.
#4.
CARTER | Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Sexton retired in 2023 as Ireland’s record points scorer, with more than 1,100 international points. A central figure in Ireland’s Six Nations triumphs, including two Grand Slams, he was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018.
Did you know: Sexton made his Ireland debut against Fiji in 2009 and kicked 16 points in that match.
Carter said: "I look at the way Johnny plays, he’s always creating or demanding from the people around him. You can see him leading, and he tells what he wants from the players around him."
WILKINSON | Stephen Larkham (Australia)
Nostalgia freaks prefer Larkham’s 48-metre effort against South Africa in the 1999 semi-final.
A converted full back whose kicking was supposedly so errant that a triumphant TV ad poked self-mocking fun at it, Larkham celebrated his World Cup success by having laser treatment to correct his dodgy vision.
Did you know: Larkham was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2012
Did you know? Larkham was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2012
#3.
CARTER | Michael Lynagh (Australia)
Lynagh played 72 Tests for Australia between 1984 and 1995, scoring 911 points—a national record that still stands. He guided the Wallabies to World Cup glory in 1991 and was renowned for his tactical kicking and calmness under pressure.
Did you know: Lynagh was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013.
Carter: "When he retired, that total was also a World record points tally. Despite him being an Aussie..I took a lot of inspiration from him.
WILKINSON | Joel Stransky (South Africa)
Fly-half Stransky cemented his place in the hearts and minds of the nation by kicking the drop goal that saw South Africa claim the sport's biggest prize in 1995.
He also wrote his name in the history books in the opening match of the tournament when he became the first Springbok to score a try, a conversion, a penalty and a drop goal in the same game - a 27-18 win over defending champions, Australia.
#2.
CARTER | Grant Fox (New Zealand)
Fox was the leading points scorer at the 1987 Rugby World Cup, where he helped New Zealand lift the trophy. Known for his metronomic goal kicking, he defined consistency at fly-half and left a lasting legacy for the All Blacks.
Did you know: Fox was later appointed a selector for New Zealand and played a key role in shaping the team’s dominance in the 2010s.
Carter said: "One of my heroes. He was a goal kicking machine at the first World Cup in 1987. He played 46 Tests for the All Blacks, scoring 645 points.Incredible."
WILKINSON | Dan Carter (New Zealand)
being near faultless in every department: he can attack, break the line and kick accurately tactically or at goal.
He was named the World Player of the Year in 2005, 2012 and 2015 and has won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, and nine Tri-Nations and Rugby Championships with the All Blacks.
Did you know? In 2008, American Cable Channel E! judged Carter to be 11th on its list of the world’s sexiest men.
#1.
CARTER | Jonny Wilkinson (England)
CARTER SAID: "You might of heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."
Wilkinson is best remembered for his iconic drop goal in extra time that won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Across a glittering career, he scored 1,246 Test points and became a legend for both England and Toulon, with whom he won two European Cups.
Did you know: Wilkinson was awarded the CBE in 2015 for his services to rugby.
WILKINSON | Michael Lynagh (Australia)
For a decade from his debut in 1984 to his international retirement in 1995, former Wallaby Skipper Lynagh was one of the most distinguishable players in World Rugby.
After 72 internationals, he had set a new point-scoring record of 911, which is still an Australia record. He was an important member of the side that won the 1991 World Cup in England, but retired from International Rugby after Australia’s loss to England in the quarter-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Did you know: His son, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for Harlequins academy and has represented England U18
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