George Ford's Ultimate Backline Revealed – Guess Who's Missing?

Ford and Farrell, who grew up as neighbours and progressed through the England youth system together, formed a formidable 10-12 axis for the England senior team on over 40 occasions.

However, currently, they do not share the field internationally as Farrell has opted for a break from international duty.

When asked by a fan, on a

Reddit AMA

(Ask Me Anything) with England rugby, who his dream back line would be, he replied: “Jason Robinson on one wing. Mark Cueto on the other wing – a great player who also gives a good left foot option.

“Centre-wise, I would always choose Manu (Tuilagi). I know he’s still here, but he’s been here in the past too. Matthew Tait in his prime playing for England as the other option. His skillset and the way he broke the line was amazing.”

The heartbeat of the side and arguably the most influential player on the pitch. Almost every attack will go through the fly-half, who also has the responsibility of deciding when to pass the ball out to the centres and when to kick for position.

A number 10 must orchestrate the team's back line, deciding what rehearsed moves to put into action and reacting to gaps in defence.  The fly-half also has to be able to relieve territorial pressure by kicking down the field into touch, and is often the team's designated placekicker for conversions, penalties and drop goal attempts.

In defence, he or she will marshal the backs to ensure each opposition player is covered, and a strong-tackling stand off can snuff out opposition attacks before they start.

Cross-code star Jiffy made up for his lack of height, standing 5ft 8in, with great pace, great acceleration and natural quality.

The fly-half would have made a lot more appearances for Wales if he had not switched to Rugby League between 1989 and 1995.

During his two periods in Union, he made a total 37 appearances for Wales and is considered one of Wales’s finest ever rugby talents.

Did you know? Davies has since become a television rugby football commentator and media personality, in both the Welsh and English languages.

At 36, Sexton’s place on this list of rugby’s best fly-halves is open to dispute.

But if his efforts in last season’s Six Nations and Autumn Internationals are anything to go by, there’s no argument to be had.

Yes, he is old and prone to injury. But the wily Dubliner is still the top dog for Ireland and Leinster. 

Did you know? Sexton was the winner of World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014

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? After quitting the game he maintained close links as a TV pundit in the UK with both Sky Sports and ITV as well as working with World Rugby

Carter has established himself as one of the greatest players in history, being near faultless in every department: he can attack, break the line and kick accurately tactically or at goal.

The incomparable All Blacks playmaker, Vice Captain and top points’ scorer set a new international point-scoring record during New Zealand’s triumph at the Rugby World Cup 2011.

He has also won an incredible eight Tri-Nations/The Rugby Championship’s as well as a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2005.

Did you know? In 2008, American Cable Channel E! judged Carter to be 11th on its list of the world’s sexiest men.

We could only have been one man as number one. Forever remembered as the man whose last-gasp drop-goal won England the Rugby World Cup by edging past the hosts in Australia in 2003.

That moment is just one highlight of a record-breaking career that has seen Wilkinson rise to one of the sport’s all-time greats.

England won 67 of the 91 games Wilkinson played in with him scoring an outstanding total of 1,179 points. He also holds the Rugby World Cup points record with 277.

Did you know? In 1997 he gave up the student life to become a professional rugby union player with the Newcastle Falcons.