We take a look at, who we rank as, the best pundits in rugby.
5. Maggie Alphonsi
A popular and refreshing addition to ITV’s panel when sitting in the pundit’s chair for the 2015 Rugby World Cup having lifted the global trophy with England women’s side a year earlier. Offers smart analysis and gets into the nuts and bolts of the game that may be overlooked on TV sets at home.
Gives an appraisal of the game with passion and a popular pundit with armchair viewers, who clearly would like to see more of her in the bigger games.
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4. Brian O'Driscoll
The Irish rugby legend has taken to punditry like he did to the oval-ball game and is among a rare breed indeed. Often former players just out of the game are more often than not just too afraid to upset the applecart, but O’Driscoll in his soft Clontarf lilt has not only upset the applecart, but pressed the fruit into a tasty barrel of cider.
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3. Sir Ian McGeechan
Technically brilliant with the way he breaks down a half of rugby and gives a fascinating insight into back division moves. What more would you expect from a Lions coaching legend.
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2. Will Greenwood
Few pundits can match his sheer enthusiasm for the sport he covers. His pitch-side work with Scott Quinnell during the British & Irish Lions was a joy to behold as the World Cup-winning centre has quickly established himself as RUCK favourite.
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1. Paul O'Connell
The BBC pulled off a bit of a coup signing up the former Lions and Ireland skipper when his career came to an end with injury in Cardiff in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The Beeb bosses got a taste of what they were getting when O’Connell pulled off arguably the greatest answer ever on ‘A Question of Sport’ and like O’Driscoll isn’t afraid to upset his Irish team-mates.