Legend Jonny Wilkinson ranks his five toughest opponents

The legendary flanker, who won a 97 caps for England and the British & Irish Lions between 1998 and 2011, went toe-to-toe with some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of boots during his stellar career.

Sourcing several Q&A’s from down the years, including his dream team for Sky Sports, here is his top five:

Wilkinson followed  principles and teachings to help control his perfectionist tendencies, according to an interview he gave with  newspaper in 2009

WILKINSON SAID: "One of the most recognisable characters in World Rugby and a man who sparked fear in the eyes of opposition defences. The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No list would be complete without him.”

DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored seven tries during the 1995 World Cup and added a further eight in 1999

WILKINSON SAID: “The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership.”

DID YOU KNOW? O’Driscoll is the all-time Irish try scorer and has led his country more times than any other player

WILKINSON SAID: "He typified French rugby at its best with his audacity, ambition and flair. He was most famous for his scintillating counter-attacks, frequently running the ball out of seemingly impossible situations. It didn’t matter that he was in his own in-goal area or right by your line, you knew that this guy was probably going to score or if not he was going to do everything it took to make sure someone else did”

DID YOU KNOW? Blanco appeared in the inaugural 1987 World Cup where he scored the winning try in the nail biting 30-24 semi-final victory over Australia

WILKINSON SAID: "“A guy that stood the test of time and has remained at the best, the highest level of the game for that time. Finishing second best was never an option."

DID YOU KNOW? McCaw led his country to World Cup glory in 2011 and 2015

WILKINSON SAID: "His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory.”

DID YOU KNOW? Dominci appeared in three World Cups for his country in 1999, 2003 and 2007, scoring eight tries over that time.