England's finest? Top 10 rugby players to wear the red rose
As with all sports English rugby union has been brought to a halt by the coronavirus crisis, offering the opportunity to reflect on some of the greats the nation has produced down the years.
Here the PA news agency picks a top 10 of the finest rugby players to have worn the Red Rose.
WATCH: England and Sale flanker, Tom Curry took on Dragons’ Huw Taylor in the first round of the RugbyPass FIFA Pros tournament.
Wavell Wakefield (1920-27, 31 caps)
An inspirational captain who led England to back-to-back Grand Slams in 1923 and 1924, Wakefield was a mainstay of the back row for most of the 1920s. Roles have been redefined throughout rugby’s history and Wakefield was the first to do it as a flanker, his dynamism and strength transforming the position into the roaming function seen to this day. A career as a Conservative MP followed, as did a knighthood, and he was a staunch supporter of amateurism.
David Duckham (1969-76, 39 caps)
Duckham makes the list despite playing during a challenging era for English rugby that produced four Five Nations wooden spoons during his seven years in the Test arena. For all the mediocrity around him, the dashing Coventry wing was fast and elusive with a devastating side-step and hand-off. It was when playing alongside a higher calibre of player that he really shone, most notably on the triumphant 1971 Lions tour to New Zealand and in the Barbarians’ famous victory over the All Blacks in 1973.
Peter Winterbottom (1982-93, 58 caps)
To this day Winterbottom has a strong claim to being recognised as England’s greatest flanker and is considered an all-time great in any era. One of the few genuine opensides produced on these shores with only Neil Back and the emerging Tom Curry rivalling his skills in the position. The well-travelled Yorkshireman, who enjoyed spells in New Zealand and South African provincial rugby, was a dynamo in relentless pursuit of the ball. Matching his link work, support play and ability to hunt down opposition fly-halves was a physicality that belied his frame.
Rory Underwood (1984-96, 85 caps)
Still out of sight as England’s all-time record try-scorer on 49, it is Underwood’s tremendous longevity as much as his gift for finishing that sets him apart. His CV is enriched by three World Cups and two Lions tours and he was an ever-present for the majority of his career, including latterly when he played on the opposite wing to younger brother Tony. The RAF pilot was lightening quick and blessed with a nose for the try-line that identifies him as the most clinical finisher to have worn the Red Rose.
Jeremy Guscott (1989-1999, 65 caps)
Acclaimed as the ‘The Prince of Centres’ by Sir Clive Woodward, Guscott was a majestic presence in midfield where he formed a famed partnership alongside Will Carling. Whereas Carling was more of a blunt instrument, Guscott was a creative force whose running lines and ability to glide into space were a constant threat. Won three Grand Slams and appeared at three World Cups and remains England’s fourth highest try scorer on 30.
Martin Johnson (1993-2003, 84 caps)
Possibly the greatest of them all, Johnson’s influence on England during an era that delivered the nation’s only World Cup triumph cannot be underestimated. The two-time Lions captain was surrounded by leaders and world-class operators, but he was the colossus among them. Johnson was an old school lock, aggressive with high work-rate and good at the basics. But for all his glowering menace, England’s enforcer possessed a sharp rugby intellect that set him apart.
Lawrence Dallaglio (1995-2007, 85 caps)
England’s 1993 Sevens World Cup triumph was the unlikely launchpad for a remarkable career that saw Dallaglio become forward talisman alongside Martin Johnson during the nation’s most successful era. Powerful and athletic, the raging number eight made his presence felt in attack and defence and he displayed a competitive spirit to match. Acting as the emotional heartbeat of the 2003 World Cup-winning side, his pride at playing for England was evident in every game. Led the team before Johnson and wore his loyalty to Wasps – the only club he represented – as a badge of honour.
Jason Robinson (2001-2007, 51 caps)
An extraordinary player the like of which has not been seen before or since. Robinson’s devilish footwork and injection of pace made a fool of world-class opponents time and again and spectators could only marvel at his ability to turn the tightest space into the launchpad for one of his 28 tries in an England jersey. A 2003 World Cup winner and Red Rose captain, his exploits as a wing and full-back came after he converted from rugby league as a 25-year-old having proved every bit as devastating in that code.
Jonny Wilkinson (1998-2011, 91 caps)
It is fitting that England’s all-time record points scorer was also responsible for the standout moment in Red Rose history. Wilkinson kicked the last-gasp drop-goal that clinched the 2003 World Cup final, now an unforgettable sporting image that seals his place in rugby folklore. The Lions fly-half was an all-rounder, highly capable as a creative fulcrum and possessing outstanding game management, but also ferocious in defence. It is his kicking that propelled him to the highest level, however, and but for a devastating run of injuries he would have achieved even more.
Maro Itoje (2016-present, 38 caps)
Of the current England vintage, only Itoje makes this list. The fact he does it as a 25-year-old entering his prime is a frightening prospect and he is surely captain in waiting with Owen Farrell currently at the helm. Extraordinary work-rate and relentless controlled aggression serve as the foundations of his game and he is a one-man wrecking ball at close quarters – just witness the mayhem he caused against New Zealand in last autumn’s World Cup semi-final. A gifted athlete, he would be the first lock picked for a world XV and potentially the first name on the team-sheet.
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments