Some have relied on blistering pace, others on outrageous footwork or aerial brilliance, but the greatest wings in history all shared one quality: the ability to produce moments that changed matches.

As RUCK continues to count down to the launch of Ultimate Sevens in September, we have continued picking the Top 7 players in every position, with our focus this time on the flyers.

Ranking the greatest wingers of all time is about far more than counting tries. Longevity, influence, trophies, individual honours and the ability to redefine the position all matter.

Some dominated their era with sheer athleticism, while others changed the way coaches viewed the role entirely. From World Cup heroes to British & Irish Lions legends, these are the players who left the biggest mark on rugby history.

Leaving these four players outside the main list was no easy task. John Kirwan was one of New Zealand's first global superstars, scoring 35 tries in 63 Tests and playing a pivotal role in the All Blacks' inaugural Rugby World Cup triumph in 1987.

Rory Underwood remains England's record try scorer with 49 Test tries in 85 appearances, helping England to multiple Five Nations titles and the 1991 World Cup final. Jeff Wilson earned the nickname "Goldie" thanks to his remarkable all-round skill set, finishing with 44 tries in 60 Tests while also starring as a world-class cricketer.

The youngest player on the list, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, already looks destined for greatness. Still only in his early twenties, the French flyer has become one of world rugby's most devastating finishers, helping France win back to back Six Nations, and winning player of the tournament with record breaking try contributions in 2025 and 2026. His career is only just beginning, but if he maintains his current trajectory, he could comfortably feature in this list before it is all said and done.

Few players have challenged conventional thinking quite like Cheslin Kolbe. Standing at just 5ft 7in, Kolbe was repeatedly told he was too small to succeed at the highest level. Instead, he became one of the most feared players in world rugby. His acceleration, balance and outrageous footwork have left countless defenders embarrassed, while his courage under the high ball and commitment in defence make him one of the most complete wings the game has ever seen.

Kolbe has been central to South Africa's modern dominance, winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023 while also lifting multiple Rugby Championship titles. His iconic charge-down of Thomas Ramos conversion against France in the 2023 quarter-final perfectly summed up his relentless competitiveness, with Olympic caliber speed to deny two decisive points.

With more than 40 Test tries and over 40 international caps already to his name, Kolbe continues to build one of the finest careers the position has seen. His influence extends beyond statistics alone. He proved that size should never define greatness, inspiring an entire generation of smaller players to believe they belong at the very highest level.

Jason Robinson brought something rugby union had rarely seen before. After becoming one of rugby league's biggest stars, Robinson switched codes in 2000 and immediately became one of the most dangerous attacking players in world rugby. His lightning acceleration, devastating sidestep and fearless running style made him virtually impossible to defend in broken play.

Robinson won 51 England caps, scoring 28 Test tries, but his defining moment came during England's victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign. His try in the final against Australia remains one of the most memorable in tournament history as England became world champions for the first and only time so far. The former Wigan star also excelled for the British & Irish Lions, dazzling in South Africa in 1997 before later captaining both England and the Lions.

Very few players have successfully conquered both rugby codes at the highest level. Robinson did exactly that, combining natural flair with remarkable professionalism to become one of England's greatest-ever backs and one of the finest wingers the sport has produced. His talent exceeds that of just out-and-out wingers, with 'Billy Whizz' also one of the greates full-backs of all time.

Long before highlight reels and social media, Gerald Davies was thrilling crowds across the rugby world.The elegant Welsh winger became one of the defining players of the amateur era, blending intelligence, balance and anticipation with exceptional finishing ability. He rarely relied purely on pace, instead using subtle changes of direction and perfect timing to beat defenders.

Davies won 46 caps for Wales between 1966 and 1978, scoring 20 Test tries, while helping Wales enjoy one of the greatest periods in their history. He collected three Five Nations Grand Slams and was a key figure during Welsh rugby's golden generation alongside Gareth Edwards, Barry John and JPR Williams.

His reputation extended well beyond Wales. Davies toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, starring during the famous 1971 series victory over New Zealand, before taking a moral stand in 1974. Davies turned down his place on that year's tour against the Springboks, as he objected against playing rugby in Apartheid South Africa. Respected as much for his sportsmanship as his brilliance, Davies remains one of rugby's true gentlemen and one of the greatest finishers the game has ever known.

If ever a player proved that heart could outweigh size, it was Shane Williams. After being told repeatedly to pursue football or other reduced contact sports because of his small frame, Williams developed into Wales' greatest-ever try scorer and one of the most entertaining players rugby has witnessed. His electric footwork, explosive acceleration and uncanny ability to beat defenders in confined spaces made him almost impossible to contain.

Williams finished his international career with 87 caps and a Welsh record 58 Test tries. He played a central role in Wales' Grand Slam-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2008 while becoming the first Welshman to be named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008. He also represented the British & Irish Lions on three tours, underlining his standing among the world's elite.

What made Williams so special was his consistency. For more than a decade he remained Wales' biggest attacking weapon, producing match-winning moments against the very best teams in the world. Few wingers have combined longevity, excitement and influence quite as successfully.

Bryan Habana was the complete modern winger. Blessed with Olympic-level pace that famously raced alongside a cheetah, Habana coupled this with outstanding defensive instincts and an uncanny eye for the try line. Habana became one of the most prolific finishers international rugby has ever seen, as his ability to turn half-chances into tries helped define South Africa's success during one of the country's greatest eras.

Habana scored an astonishing 67 tries in 124 Tests, finishing behind only Daisuke Ohata as the second-highest try scorer in international rugby when he retired. He was instrumental in South Africa's 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading try scorer with eight tries, equalling Jonah Lomu's long-standing record.

Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2007, Habana also won the Tri Nations and Rugby Championship while starring for both the Bulls and Toulon at club level, in which he collected an assortment of Super Rugby and Heineken Cup silverware. His pace may have grabbed the headlines, but it was his work ethic, defensive excellence and consistency over more than a decade that elevated him into rugby's all-time elite.

Before rugby embraced professionalism, David Campese was already playing the game differently. The Australian genius revolutionised wing play with his unpredictable running, fearless counter-attacking and famous "goose step", leaving defenders flat-footed across the globe. He was capable of producing moments that nobody else would even attempt.

Campese became the second player after France legend Philippe Sella to reach 100 Test caps and retired with a world-record 64 international tries from 101 appearances. He was the star of Australia's victorious 1991 Rugby World Cup campaign, earning Player of the Tournament after producing a series of unforgettable performances.

His influence extended far beyond statistics. Campese encouraged wingers to become genuine playmakers rather than simply finishers, constantly looking for work and creating opportunities from deep inside his own half. Few players have ever entertained supporters quite like Campo. He was unpredictable, audacious and utterly fearless, as 'The Great Entertainer' posssessed qualities that helped redefine one of rugby's most glamorous positions forever.

There has never been another player quite like Jonah Lomu. Before Lomu arrived, wingers simply weren't built like him. Standing 6ft 5in and weighing around 120 kilograms, he combined the size of a forward with the speed of a sprinter. Defenders knew what was coming and simply could not find a way to halt the freight train in a black jersey.

His performances at the 1995 Rugby World Cup transformed rugby forever. Lomu's four-try demolition of England in the semi-final remains one of the most iconic displays the sport has ever witnessed, turning him into a global superstar almost overnight.

Although illness prevented him from enjoying the longevity many expected, Lomu still scored 37 tries in just 63 Test appearances and represented the All Blacks at two Rugby World Cups. His impact reached far beyond New Zealand. He became rugby's first genuine worldwide icon, inspiring millions to pick up a ball and helping drive the sport's growth during the early professional era.

Others may have won more trophies or scored more tries, but no winger has ever changed rugby as profoundly as Jonah Lomu. For influence, fear factor and sheer brilliance, he remains the greatest winger in history.