A dozen legendary England rugby gamers who set forth from Twickenham and conquered the world
This number of the very best England rugby gamers of the skilled period is filled with members of the staff who received the Rugby World Cup in 2003. That’s hardly shocking, seeing as Clive Woodward’s males dominated the game for a number of years earlier than turning into the one aspect from the northern hemisphere to elevate the Webb Ellis Cup, courtesy of that well-known Jonny Wilkinson drop purpose in Sydney.
There’s nonetheless room for England rugby gamers of different vintages, after all, with representatives from the each the nice aspect of the early ’90s, and the Eddie Jones/Steve Borthwick period discovering a spot in our line-up. Learn on to search out out the dozen names (in alphabetical order) who’ve made the reduce.
Greatest England rugby gamers of the skilled period
1. Lawrence Dallaglio
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The England staff that went on to win the World Cup was so blessed with leaders that Martin Johnson wasn’t Clive Woodward’s first alternative as captain. That honour fell to Lawrence Dallaglio, who famously misplaced the function within the wake of a 1999 tabloid sting, but fought his method again to turn into a key part in a classic aspect.
A robust, ball-carrying quantity 8, he performed alongside Richard Hill and Neil Again within the legendary “Holy Trinity” again row, and was the one member of the England staff to play each minute of the 2003 match. Dallaglio additionally received the Rugby Sevens World Cup in 1993.
2. Matt Dawson
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A number of members of the category of 2003 have had profitable media careers since hanging up their boots, however few can match Matt Dawson’s high-profile gigs on A Query of Sport, Strictly Come Dancing and Superstar MasterChef.
It’s the previous scrum-half’s long-running stint in BBC Radio 5 Reside’s commentary field that claims most about his enjoying days, nonetheless, as his huge rugby intelligence made him the right foil for Paul Grayson and Jonny Wilkinson. Like Dallaglio, Dawson is considered one of a handful of gamers to have received World Cups in each the seven- and 15-player variations of the sport.
3. Owen Farrell
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Because the son of league legend Andy Farrell, it was no shock when Owen Farrell turned out to have rugby in his blood. He made his England debut as a 20-year-old in 2012, and shortly turned integral to then-head coach Stuart Lancaster’s plans – each at inside centre and in his most popular place of fly-half.
Whereas questions on his tackling type and temperament have endured all through his profession, Farrell’s repeatedly rebuffed his critics with world-class recreation administration and his prowess from the kicking tee. With a century of caps and – since final 12 months’s World Cup – a document haul of factors for his nation, Farrell has earned his place among the many greatest England rugby gamers of all time. Steve Borthwick and co will miss him now he’s moved to Racing 92 in France.
4. Will Greenwood
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Will Greenwood was already 25 by the point he made his England debut, and had even been chosen for the Lions earlier than he wore the well-known white shirt for the primary time. However after that comparatively late begin, he crammed a lot into his worldwide profession, forming formidable centre partnerships with the likes of Jeremy Guscott, Mike Catt and Mike Tindall.
His try-scoring document (31 in 55 matches) was actually prolific and – regardless of carrying the quantity 13 – he was one thing of a fortunate omen for his staff: England by no means misplaced a take a look at when Greenwood was on the scoresheet.
5. Jeremy Guscott
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Whether or not it’s Thierry Henry in soccer or Roger Federer in tennis, sure folks have the power to make their chosen sport look simple. Jeremy Guscott introduced that poetry-in-motion class to the rugby area, a aptitude participant who held his personal in an all-conquering England staff extra famend for brute drive than expansive play.
Guscott’s tempo and poise at exterior centre helped him to a powerful 30 tries in 65 video games, whereas his legendary drop purpose within the second Lions take a look at in 1997 secured a collection win in South Africa. His profession solely simply overlapped with the skilled period, however – had he been born a decade later – this Tub legend would have been a rugby celebrity across the globe.
6. Richard Hill
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Each staff wants a secure pair of fingers however Richard Hill was way more than England’s Mr Dependable. In actual fact, Hill turned his blindside flanker berth into the bedrock of Clive Woodward’s World Cup-winning aspect, his world-class tackling and defending making a platform for the staff’s extra flashy expertise to strut their stuff.
This all-time nice by no means acquired a yellow or crimson card, whereas Woodward by no means dropped him when he was accessible for choice. The coach even took an unfit Hill to the 2003 World Cup, of venture that paid off when the back-rower delivered memorable performances within the semi-final and closing.
7. Maro Itoje
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The definition of an all-round sportsman, Maro Itoje was additionally a gifted basketball participant, sprinter and shot-putter earlier than he zeroed in on rugby. He clearly made the best alternative, as a result of Itoje’s mixture of pace, energy and technical means have created the blueprint for the fashionable second-row ahead.
He’s been a mainstay of the England pack since making his debut in 2016, a turnover-winning machine who’s guided his staff to a few Six Nations titles and a World Cup closing. He additionally shaped a memorable partnership with Alun Wyn Jones on the 2017 Lions Tour, and – since Owen Farrell’s transfer to France – is the one participant on this record of England rugby gamers nonetheless in competition for the nationwide aspect.
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8. Martin Johnson
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Seeing Martin Johnson’s identify on the teamsheet was the stuff of nightmares for a lot of an opposition, however England’s talismanic lock was the type of participant each coach and fan would need on their aspect. The fiercest of opponents, Johnson was top-of-the-line second-rows of his technology, but it surely was as a frontrunner that he actually got here into his personal.
His means to learn a recreation from the midst of the motion was legendary, whereas “Johnno” famously stays the one man from the northern hemisphere to elevate the Webb Ellis Cup. He retired from worldwide rugby in type, calling it quits after England’s well-known World Cup win in Sydney.
9. Jason Leonard
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The sport modified immeasurably in the course of the 14 years Jason Leonard performed worldwide rugby, however the legendary prop was a continuing in a succession of highly effective England sides. Making his debut alongside Brian Moore and Jeff Probyn, he turned a key determine within the staff that dominated the 5 Nations within the early ’90s – and he was nonetheless there 4 World Cups later, coming off the bench as England beat Australia within the 2003 closing.
Leonard scored only one attempt on his approach to a (then-) record-breaking 114 caps, however his work in engine room – to not point out his means to play at tighthead in addition to loosehead – assured his standing among the many greatest England rugby gamers ever.
10. Jason Robinson
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Loads of gamers have had a crack at each codes of rugby, however few have excelled in league and union like Jason Robinson. Having established himself within the all-conquering Wigan aspect of the ’90s (alongside the likes of Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell and Martin Offiah) he made the change look seamless when he joined Sale.
Even in an period when back-three gamers have been getting larger and greater, the 5’8” Robinson’s blistering tempo and elusive sidestep made him deadly in assault. In the meantime, his spectacular leaping means and secure pair of fingers ensured he was a defender you possibly can depend on, whether or not chosen on the wing or at full-back. Twenty-eight tries in simply 51 caps say all of it.
11. Rory Underwood
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Rory Underwood’s rugby profession was practically achieved by the point rugby went professional – he famously flew planes in his day job as an RAF pilot – however he’d be considered one of England’s biggest wings in any period. With 49 tries in 85 internationals, he stays his nation’s document attempt scorer (second-placed Jonny Might is 13 behind).
However with three grand slams, a 5 Nations title and a runner-up end on the 1991 World Cup, he additionally had the honour roll to match his scoring prowess. Underwood regularly lined up with youthful brother Tony on the other wing, the primary siblings to play collectively for England in over half a century.
Learn extra: The 12 greatest South Africa gamers of all time!
12. Jonny Wilkinson
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Even when a 24-year-old Jonny Wilkinson had hung up his boots for good in November 2003, his rugby immortality be assured. That’s what occurs once you rating a World Cup-winning drop purpose – along with your “flawed” foot – within the dying seconds of additional time. However there was a lot extra to Wilkinson than rugby’s “they suppose it’s throughout” second.
All through his profession he enhanced his simple expertise with a prodigious work ethic, constructing himself right into a skilful, hard-tackling fly-half any staff on the earth would need behind their scrum. He suffered greater than his justifiable share of accidents alongside the best way, however the truth he saved bouncing again – and retains second place in England’s all-time scoring charts – is testomony to his brilliance.
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