Rugby Union Legends
International rugby legends and World Cup heroes.
The All-Time Greatest Rugby Union Players
Ranked by career honours, records and our FSP GOAT Score.
All Rugby Union Athletes
Browse 133 of the greatest rugby union players of all time.
New Zealander
Aaron Smith
Scrum-half
New Zealand's outstanding scrum-half whose electric service, sharp decision-making and lightning pac…
Welsh
Alun Wyn Jones
Lock
Wales' most capped player in history and one of the finest locks the game has seen, whose extraordin…
French
Antoine Dupont
Scrum-half
The finest rugby union player on the planet — World Player of Year 2x and Olympic sevens gold.…
New Zealander
Ardie Savea
Flanker
The All Blacks' captain and World Rugby Player of Year 2023.…
Welsh
Barry John
Fly-half
Welsh fly-half nicknamed 'The King' whose ghostly running lines, telepathic connection with Gareth E…
New Zealander
Beauden Barrett
Fullback
New Zealand's two-time World Player of the Year and one of the most dynamic attacking players in rug…
English
Ben Youngs
Scrum-half
England's most capped scrum-half in history whose reliable service, competitive spirit and extraordi…
Irish
Brian O'Driscoll
Centre
Ireland's greatest rugby player — a centre of exceptional intelligence and finishing ability.…
New Zealander
Brodie Retallick
Lock
New Zealand's most capped lock and one of the finest lineout operators in rugby history, a physical …
South African
Bryan Habana
Wing
77 Test tries — the joint world record holder for Test tries by a back.…
Irish
Bundee Aki
Centre
Irish centre of New Zealand heritage whose powerful running, reliable defence and important try-scor…
South African
Cheslin Kolbe
Wing/Back
Rugby World Cup winner 2x — the smallest, fastest and most dangerous finisher in world rugby.…
New Zealander
Christian Cullen
Fullback
New Zealand fullback whose extraordinary pace, brilliant footwork and prolific try-scoring during th…
New Zealander
Codie Taylor
Hooker
New Zealand hooker whose reliable set-piece work, dynamic carrying ability and passionate leadership…
New Zealander
Colin Meads
Lock
Pine Tree — Colin Meads is the most iconic All Black in the history of New Zealand rugby union and a…
New Zealander
Conrad Smith
Centre
New Zealand centre whose intelligence, exceptional defence and outstanding consistency over more tha…
English
Courtney Lawes
Lock
Veteran English lock and Lions captain whose exceptional lineout work, tireless carrying and outstan…
South African
Damian de Allende
Centre
South African centre whose powerful carrying, physical dominance in contact and consistency across i…
French
Damian Penaud
Winger
French winger whose blistering pace, clinical finishing and spectacular tries have made him one of t…
New Zealander
Dan Carter
Fly-half
The greatest point-scorer in Test rugby history — 1,598 points across 112 Tests.…
English
Dan Cole
Prop
Durable English tighthead prop who has served Leicester Tigers and England with distinction across 1…
New Zealander
Dane Coles
Hooker
New Zealand hooker whose abrasive playing style, reliable lineout throwing and ability to carry hard…
South African
Danie Gerber
Centre
South African centre widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted midfield backs the game has…
Australian
David Campese
Wing/Fullback
Campo — 64 Test tries, the most flamboyant Australian and the inventor of the goosestep.…
English
David Duckham
Winger
England winger of the early professional era whose flamboyant running style, remarkable balance and …
Australian
David Pocock
Flanker
Australian flanker whose exceptional breakdown ability, outstanding leadership and tireless dedicati…
Scottish
Doddie Weir
Lock
Scotland lock and one of the game's most beloved figures, whose extraordinary community work followi…
South African
Duane Vermeulen
Number 8
South African number eight and World Cup final man-of-the-match in 2019, a powerful carrying force a…
Scottish
Duhan van der Merwe
Winger
Scottish winger whose imposing physical presence, powerful running and outstanding try-scoring recor…
South African
Eben Etzebeth
Lock
The most physically dominant lock in world rugby — two World Cup winner.…
English
Ellis Genge
Prop
Aggressive and combative English loosehead prop whose abrasive carrying style, set-piece reliability…
British
Emily Scarratt
Centre/Full-back
England's most decorated women's rugby player — Women's Rugby World Player of the Year 2014 and a tw…
South African
Faf de Klerk
Scrum-half
South African scrum-half who formed the half-back partnership at the heart of the Springboks' 2019 W…
New Zealander
Fiao'o Faamausili
Hooker
Black Ferns legend and New Zealand's most decorated women's rugby player — five World Cup winner's m…
Scottish
Finn Russell
Fly-half
Scottish fly-half whose brilliantly creative and instinctive style of play divides opinion but has p…
English
Fran Cotton
Prop
England loosehead prop and a British and Irish Lions selector and ambassador, whose powerful scrumma…
South African
Francois Pienaar
Flanker
The Springbok captain who shared the World Cup trophy with Nelson Mandela — Francois Pienaar's momen…
English
Freddie Steward
Fullback
English fullback whose imposing frame, secure under the high ball and growing attacking confidence h…
Welsh
Gareth Edwards
Scrum-Half
The try against the Barbarians in 1973 — Gareth Edwards's score, launched from inside the Welsh half…
Welsh
Gareth Thomas
Wing/Centre/Fullback
Gareth Thomas — the first professional rugby player to publicly come out as gay, making an announcem…
Scottish
Gavin Hastings
Fullback
Scotland fullback and Lions captain whose extraordinary goal-kicking, powerful play and leadership m…
English
George Ford
Fly-half
English fly-half whose reliable kicking game, smart decision-making and Lions appearances have made …
Australian
George Gregan
Scrum-half
Australia's most capped player and record points scorer, whose outstanding service, determined halfb…
Australian
George Smith
Flanker
The finest breakdown specialist in Wallabies history — 111 Tests of relentless turnover work.…
Welsh
Gerald Davies
Winger
Wales and Lions wing whose electrifying side-step, exceptional pace and instinctive finishing made h…
Welsh
Graham Price
Prop
Welsh tighthead prop and one of the most durable forwards in Lions history, whose exceptional scrumm…
Scottish
Gregor Townsend
Fly-half / Centre
Scotland fly-half whose attacking instincts, exceptional vision and Lions contributions established …
French
Gregory Alldritt
Number 8
French number eight whose physical dominance, powerful carrying and outstanding work rate have been …
Scottish
Hamish Watson
Flanker
Scottish flanker whose relentless work rate, outstanding breakdown technique and ability to play at …
South African
Handré Pollard
Fly-half
South African fly-half and World Cup-winning goal-kicker whose composure under pressure, reliable bo…
Irish
Hugo Keenan
Fullback
Irish fullback whose outstanding aerial skills, reliable defending and growing attacking confidence …
Irish
James Lowe
Winger
Irish winger of New Zealand origin whose pace, footwork and ability to finish in the corner have add…
Australian
James O'Connor
Fly-half / Centre
Australian back whose versatility, exceptional pace and ability to play across the backs have made h…
English
Jamie George
Hooker
English hooker and national team captain whose reliable lineout throwing, strong carrying and leader…
English
Jason Leonard
Prop
The most-capped England forward — 114 Tests and the great survivor of a professional era he bridged.…
New Zealander
Jeff Wilson
Winger / Fullback
New Zealand utility back nicknamed 'Goldie' whose remarkable versatility, exciting running and dual …
Irish
Jenny Murphy
Centre
Ireland's most celebrated women's rugby player of the modern era — a centre of exceptional pace and …
British
Jeremy Guscott
Centre
England's greatest centre — Jeremy Guscott's drop goal on the 1997 Lions tour sealed the series agai…
Australian
John Eales
Lock/Captain
Nobody — John Eales' nickname reflects that nobody is better, and two World Cups as captain confirm …
South African
John Smit
Hooker/Prop
South Africa's most-capped captain — led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007.…
New Zealander
Jonah Lomu
Wing
The most physically devastating player in rugby history — the 1995 World Cup changed the sport forev…
Welsh
Jonathan Davies
Centre
Welsh centre whose powerful carry, strong defence and ability to create try-scoring opportunities ha…
Irish
Jonathan Sexton
Fly-half
Ireland's most decorated player and record points scorer, whose leadership through Ireland's best ev…
English
Jonny Wilkinson
Fly-half
The drop goal that won the World Cup — the most pressure-resistant kicker in rugby history.…
South African
Joost van der Westhuizen
Scrum-half
South Africa's greatest scrum-half and a World Cup winner in 1995, whose electric service, powerful …
Welsh
Josh Adams
Winger
Welsh winger whose prolific try-scoring record, reliable finishing and Lions appearances have establ…
New Zealander
Josh Kronfeld
Flanker
New Zealand flanker whose exceptional openside play, outstanding work rate and brilliant performance…
Welsh
JPR Williams
Fullback
Wales Lions fullback of the 1970s whose fearless tackling, brilliant counterattacking play and excep…
Irish
Keith Wood
Hooker
Ireland hooker and one of the most dynamic and skilful forwards the Lions have ever had, whose bald …
Welsh
Ken Owens
Hooker
Welsh hooker and national captain whose whole-hearted commitment, reliable set-piece work and passio…
New Zealander
Kieran Read
Number 8
New Zealand number eight and World Cup-winning captain whose tactical intelligence, outstanding line…
English
Kyle Sinckler
Prop
Powerful English tighthead prop whose scrummaging technique, dynamic ball-carrying and Lions appeara…
Welsh
Leigh Halfpenny
Fullback
The finest goal kicker in Welsh rugby history — Lions player of the series in 2013.…
Welsh
Louis Rees-Zammit
Winger
Welsh winger who left rugby union for a record-breaking NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, havi…
South African
Lukhanyo Am
Centre
South African outside centre whose brilliant footwork, instinctive decision-making and try-scoring a…
New Zealander
Ma'a Nonu
Centre
New Zealand two-time World Cup-winning centre whose extraordinary longevity, physical power and cons…
British
Maggie Alphonsi
Flanker
The Magician — England's most celebrated women's rugby player of her era and World Rugby Women's Pla…
South African
Malcolm Marx
Hooker
South African hooker widely regarded as the most explosive number two in the game, whose extraordina…
English
Marcus Smith
Fly-half
Exciting English fly-half whose attacking instincts, quick thinking and ability to unlock defences h…
Australian
Marika Koroibete
Winger
Australian winger of Fijian heritage whose powerful carrying, ball-playing ability and exceptional t…
Australian
Mark Ella
Fly-half
Aboriginal Australian fly-half who captained the Wallabies during an extraordinary unbeaten Grand Sl…
English
Maro Itoje
Lock/Flanker
The best player in English rugby — Lions test starter at 21 and the dominant lock of his generation.…
English
Martin Johnson
Lock
England's World Cup-winning captain — the most imposing figure in Test rugby history.…
English
Matt Dawson
Scrum-half
England World Cup-winning scrum-half whose superb service, on-field leadership and important Lions c…
Welsh
Mervyn Davies
Number 8
Welsh number eight whose exceptional athleticism, outstanding reading of the game and brilliant capt…
Australian
Michael Hooper
Flanker
Australia's most capped player and one of the world's finest openside flankers, whose extraordinary …
New Zealander
Michael Jones
Flanker
The Iceman — widely regarded as the greatest openside flanker New Zealand rugby has produced and a p…
English
Mike Catt
Fly-half / Centre
England World Cup-winning utility back whose intelligent distribution, cool head under pressure and …
South African
Naas Botha
Fly-half
South African fly-half of the pre-professional era whose extraordinary goal-kicking prowess, tactica…
English
Neil Back
Flanker
England World Cup-winning flanker and one of the finest open-side flankers of his generation, whose …
British
Nolli Waterman
Wing
England's most prolific try scorer in women's rugby — a wing of electric pace whose 43 tries in 57 E…
South African
Os du Randt
Prop
South African loosehead prop who became one of the rare players to win two World Cups, in 1995 and 2…
English
Owen Farrell
Fly-half
English fly-half and Lions captain whose reliability under pressure, accurate goal-kicking and calm …
Irish
Paul O'Connell
Lock
Ireland lock and one of the most commanding lineout operators in rugby history, whose leadership, ex…
Irish
Peter O'Mahony
Flanker
Irish captain and flanker whose ferocious physicality, outstanding leadership and ability to excel i…
Welsh
Phil Bennett
Fly-half
Welsh fly-half and standout player of the 1970s whose creative play, exceptional goal-kicking and Li…
Australian
Phil Kearns
Hooker
Australian hooker and Lions player whose powerful scrummaging, competitive lineout work and reliable…
English
Phil Vickery
Prop
England World Cup-winning tighthead prop whose powerful scrummaging, abrasive carrying and leadershi…
French
Philippe Sella
Centre
France's most capped player of his era and one of the finest centres the northern hemisphere has pro…
South African
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Flanker
South African loose forward and 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year whose exceptional versatility, o…
New Zealander
Portia Woodman
Wing
New Zealand's most prolific try-scorer in women's rugby sevens and fifteens — the most electric atta…
Australian
Quade Cooper
Fly-half
Australian fly-half whose extravagant skill, audacious play and crowd-pleasing style have produced s…
New Zealander
Richie McCaw
Openside Flanker
Two-time World Cup-winning All Blacks captain — widely considered the greatest flanker in rugby hist…
English
Rob Andrew
Fly-half
England fly-half whose outstanding goal-kicking, intelligent game management and consistent performa…
British
Rochelle Clark
Prop
England's most capped rugby union player of any gender — 137 Test appearances for the Red Roses acro…
French
Romain Ntamack
Fly-half
French fly-half whose exceptional composure, powerful running and excellent goal-kicking have made h…
Irish
Ronan O'Gara
Fly-half
Ireland fly-half and record points scorer for Munster, whose precision kicking, clever game manageme…
Scottish
Rory Darge
Flanker
Scottish openside flanker whose dynamic carrying, breakdown ability and enthusiastic all-action styl…
English
Rory Underwood
Winger
England winger and the most prolific try-scorer in English rugby history at the time of his retireme…
New Zealander
Sam Cane
Flanker
The most capped All Blacks captain — 100+ Tests and a Rugby World Cup winner.…
English
Sam Underhill
Flanker
English flanker whose elite defensive technique, ability to jackal ball at the breakdown and fierce …
Australian
Samu Kerevi
Centre
Australian centre whose powerful carrying, direct running and physical dominance at club level for S…
British
Sarah Hunter
Flanker/Number 8
England's most capped women's rugby player and one of the sport's greatest leaders — Red Roses capta…
New Zealander
Sean Fitzpatrick
Hooker
The most capped All Blacks captain of his era — the standard-setter for Test hookers.…
Fijian
Semi Radradra
Centre
Fijian centre of extraordinary power and pace whose devastating hand-off, exceptional ball-carrying …
Italian
Sergio Parisse
Number 8
Italy's greatest rugby player and record-breaking number eight who captained his country at four Wor…
Welsh
Shane Williams
Winger
Wales winger and the greatest try-scorer in Welsh rugby history, whose exceptional balance, lightnin…
South African
Siya Kolisi
Flanker
The first Black Springbok captain — World Cup winner in 2019 and 2023, a symbol of a transformed Sou…
New Zealander
Stacey Fluhler
Wing/Centre
New Zealand sevens and fifteens star who combines blistering pace with superb finishing ability — Co…
Australian
Stephen Larkham
Fly-half
Australian fly-half nicknamed 'The Wizard' whose creative genius, outstanding distribution and abili…
Scottish
Stuart Hogg
Fullback
Scottish fullback and the most capped Scottish player in history, whose brilliant attacking instinct…
Irish
Tadhg Furlong
Prop
Irish tighthead prop widely regarded as the world's best player in that position, whose exceptional …
New Zealander
Tana Umaga
Centre
New Zealand captain whose powerful carrying, outstanding leadership and captaincy of the historic 20…
French
Thierry Dusautoir
Flanker
The World Cup final man of the match in 2011 — widely considered the finest defensive display in Tes…
Australian
Tim Horan
Centre
Australian centre who became the hallmark of Australian brilliance in the late 1990s, winning two Wo…
New Zealander
TJ Perenara
Scrum-half
Passionate New Zealand scrum-half whose dynamic play, ferocious competitiveness and deep cultural pr…
English
Tom Curry
Flanker
English flanker whose outstanding pace, physicality and ability to compete at the breakdown make him…
Irish
Tommy Bowe
Winger
Ireland winger whose powerful running, reliable try-scoring and important Lions contributions made h…
New Zealander
Tony Woodcock
Prop
One of the finest loosehead props in All Blacks history — two World Cup winner.…
South African
Victor Matfield
Lock
The finest lineout forward in rugby history — two World Cup winner with South Africa.…
English
Will Carling
Centre
England's most successful captain who led England for a record 59 consecutive matches and presided o…
Irish
Willie John McBride
Lock
Five British Lions tours and the captain of the unbeaten 1974 Lions — Willie John McBride is the mos…
New Zealander
Zinzan Brooke
Number 8
New Zealand number eight who scored a dropped goal from 45 metres in the 1995 World Cup, a feat uniq…
Rugby Union Nations
British
54
athletes
New Zealander
26
athletes
South African
18
athletes
Australian
14
athletes
Irish
13
athletes
French
6
athletes
Fijian
1
athletes
Italian
1
athletes