The Greatest Rugby Union XV of All Time Has Been Revealed
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 April 2026 at 21:54
Picking the greatest rugby union XV of all time is a bit like arguing over the best pizza toppings – everyone’s got an opinion, and no one’s really wrong (unless you’re backing pineapple, of course).
Your birth year, where you grew up, and the team you support all shape your choices. Nostalgia? Definitely. A hint of bias? Without a doubt.
But when it comes to our ultimate lineup, the RUCK team hasn’t played it safe. Big names like Dan Carter, Paul O’Connell and Sergio Parisse miss out on selection. So, who actually made the cut? Let’s dive in.
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Greatest rugby union XV of all-time:
15. Serge Blanco (France)
The French icon’s international career with France saw the flamboyant fullback perform various outlandish levels of skill while winning Five Nation Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987 as well as four further titles.
Blanco was a threat from everywhere on the field and often took risks that we very rarely see nowadays. In total, he won 93 caps for France during his 11-year international career between 1980 and 1991, which was a record when he retired.
He also scored an imposing 233 points and is a true legend of the sport.
Did you know: Images of Blanco’s on-field heroics can always be viewed ironically alongside images of him strutting along the touchline nursing a cigarette.
Honourable mentions: JPR Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The New Zealander remains the joint all-time top try scorer at the Rugby World Cup along with Bryan Habana, crossing the whitewash on 15 different occasions across the 1995 and 1999 tournaments.
The easiest selection in a greatest ever XV.
Originally of Tongan descent, it was Lomu who made it glamorous to be a big, bruising winger, even though his stature could have easily seen him fill in at centre or somewhere in the pack.
Much like the Juggernaut of the Marvel Universe, there wasn’t much that could stop Lomu once he’d gotten into a stride.
Did you know: In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories
Honourable mentions: Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
The former Ireland and British and Irish Lions Skipper Brian O’Driscoll was one of the most consistent performers in the world for over a decade.
He hung up his boots in 2014 after accumulating 133 caps for Ireland with a fantastic return of 245 points. In the emerald green, he triumphed in the Six Nations in 2009 (Grand Slam) and 2014 as well as being chosen as Player of the Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
The Dublin-born is also the highest all-time Irish record try scorer with an incredible 46 scores, and also led his country more times than any other player.
Did you know: O'Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 RBS Six Nations Championships.
Honourable mentions: Jeremy Guscott (England), Will Greenwood (England), Frank Bunce (New Zealand)
12. Tim Horan (Australia)
Only a handful of players has won the Rugby World Cup Twice and power-packed runner Tim Horan is one of them, triumphing in 1991 and 1999 with Australia.
He made his international debut in 1989 against the All Blacks and would go on to make 80 caps, scoring 30 tries, in an impressive 11-year career.
Did you know: Horan’s father is Mike Horan, the former National Party and Liberal National Party Member of Parliament for the Queensland electorate of Toowoomba South.
Honourable mentions: Phillipe Sella (France), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Brian Lima (Samoa)
11. David Campese (Australia)
Capped by Australia on more than 100 occasions and scorer of 64 international tries, David Campese was once the world’s top scorer, but now has to settle for the honour of second place.
To summarise, if there was even the slightest bit of daylight between the try-line and his opposite man, Campese was as good as over.
Whether it was by use of his patented "goose-step" or with use of the more archaic barrelling motion, the Wallabies legend was simply a magnet for scoring.
Beginning his international career at just 19 years of age, it was clear early on that Australia had a special talent on their hands, and the early start allowed Campese to repay his selectors massively down the years.
Did you know: Campese was also a renowned rugby sevens player. He made 12 appearances at the Hong Kong Sevens (1983-1990, 1993–94, 97-98), during which he played in three victorious Australian campaigns ('83, '85 & '88)
10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
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.
Honourable mentions: Dan Carter (New Zealand), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Michael Lynagh (Australia)
9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrum-half is simply the greatest player in his position in history. Edwards is also considered by many to be one of the greatest rugby players of all time.
He was notorious for his pace but also had an unexpected strength for a leaner player. He made 53 caps for Wales as well as making ten appearances for the British & Irish Lions, featuring on tours in 1968, 1971 and 1974.
The second tour, to New Zealand, is still the only victorious Lions tour to the Land of the Long White Cloud. During the third, to South Africa in 1974, was the greatest ever Lions jaunt, in which the tourists played 22 matches and remained unbeaten.
An obvious pick for the greatest rugby union XV of all-time.
Did you know: In 2004 a statue of Gareth Edwards was erected in the St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff, as a memorial to his magnificent play for the country.
Honourable mentions: Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa), George Gregan (Australia)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
Mtawarira, famously known as “The Beast”, was one of the most dominant loosehead props of the professional era.
He made his international debut for South Africa in 2008 and went on to earn 117 caps, becoming one of the most capped Springboks of all time.
Renowned for his immense power in the scrum and surprising mobility around the park, Mtawarira was a cornerstone of South Africa’s forward dominance for over a decade.
He played a crucial role in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph, starting in the final against England, where the Springbok pack delivered a devastating scrummaging performance.
Did you know: Mtawarira was born in Zimbabwe and only became eligible to play for South Africa after residency qualification.
Honourable mentions: Jason Leonard (England), Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina), Steve McDowell (New Zealand)
2. Keith Wood (Ireland)
The force of nature Wood was a dominant figure in the Irish front row.
Wood made his international debut in 1994 against Australia and was capped 58 times for Ireland up until his retirement in 2003.
He played on the 1997 and 2001 Lions tours and was the inaugural winner of the IRB World Player of the Year award in 2001, seeing off competition from the likes of Geroge Gregan and Jonny Wilkinson.
Did you know: Wood now works for the BBC and The Daily Telegraph as a freelance journalist.
Honourable mentions: Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand), John Smit (South Africa), Mario Ledesma (Argentina)
3. Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
Malherbe has been the cornerstone of South Africa’s scrum dominance in the modern era, widely regarded as one of the best tighthead props in the world.
He made his Springbok debut in 2013 and has since amassed over 70 caps, becoming a key figure in one of the most formidable forward packs in rugby history.
Known for his technical excellence and raw strength in the scrum, Malherbe played a vital role in back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, starting both finals as South Africa asserted their dominance up front.
Despite his quiet presence off the field, his impact on it is immense, often anchoring the scrum and providing a platform for the Springboks’ powerful style of play.
Did you know: Malherbe is known for his low-profile personality and prefers to let his performances do the talking, rarely engaging in media spotlight.
Honourable mentions: Graham Price (Wales), Carl Hayman (New Zealand), Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
Iconic England legend Johnson is widely regarded as one of the greatest locks to have ever played the game.
He famously led England to glory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and also captained the British & Irish Lions in 1997 and 2001 – the first player to have ever led the elite tourists twice.
In a glittering career, Johnson was also part of two Grand Slam-winning England sides in 1995 and again as the Skipper in 2003.
Did you know: Johnson was awarded an OBE by The Queen in 1997 but later honoured with a CBE in the aftermath of England’s Rugby World Cup triumph in 2003.
Honourable mentions: Victor Matfield (South Africa), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Colin Meads (New Zealand)
5. John Eales (Australia)
Perfect is a hard word to describe someone as but John Eales was not far off.
He had pretty much every skill the modern-day rugby play requires and was a born match winner. A true Australian sporting legend, Eales won two World Cups and played 86 times for his country, 55 times as captain.
Rarely for a forward, he was also a goal-kicker, with his most memorable strike being a sideline penalty goal in the final minutes of a 2000 test to win the Bledisloe Cup against New Zealand.
Did you know: He also played first-grade cricket for Queensland University in the Brisbane QCA cricket competition.
6. Francois Pienaar (South Africa)
Springbok Captain Pienaar is famous for leading South Africa to triumph in the World Cup in 1995.
Despite only making 29 Caps, each was as Captain, and he showed to the world his considerable rugby skills.
Not only did Pienaar’s side topple a heavily fancied All Blacks team in front of an expectant South Africa population, but they also managed in their small way to bring together South Africa’s post-apartheid society
Did you know: After being dropped from the Springbok team Pienaar went on to have a career with English club Saracens.
Honourable mentions: Richard Hill (England), Jerry Collins (New Zealand), Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
McCaw was a skilled and hardworking rugby player, known for his abilities at the breakdown and his dynamic running.
He developed excellent handling skills and was a key link man on the field, with the athleticism and ball-carrying ability to consistently break the line.
McCaw was also a fearless and outstanding exponent at the breakdown throughout his career. In addition to his impressive skills on the field, he was also a respected leader.
He achieved legendary status by leading the All Blacks to victory in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and he continued to break records and lead the team for four more years, winning the Webb Ellis trophy for a second time.
Honourable mentions: George Smith (Australia), Neil Back (England) Schalk Burger (South Africa)
8. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
He was an effective forward but also had top-class handling skills and a trustworthy boot making him quite the unique player.
During his international career that spanned a decade from 1987 to 1997, he played in two World Cups in 1991 and 1995 scoring an unforgettable drop goal from 47 metres out against England in the latter.
Brooke in total played 58 tests for New Zealand, scoring 89 points. An obvious pick for the greatest rugby union XV of all-time.
Did you know: As well as rugby union, Brooke played Gaelic football, both before and after his rugby career.
Honourable mentions: Sergio Parisse (Italy), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Wayne Shelford (New Zealand)
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
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