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Top 10 players with the most mens international rugby caps
Making it as an international player generally means you need to have something just that little bit special about you. Something that sets you apart from all those other great club players.
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To become an international great with over 100 caps takes something else entirely.
To be a step above all these other incredible players you need a certain drive, a tenacity to achieve what is truly great.
The list we have below celebrates those who have put their bodies on the line for their country time, and time again:
1) Alun Wyn Jones – 162
First capped for the Welsh national team back in 2005, Alun Wyn Jones has become a true talisman for the men in red.
Standing at 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) the inspirational lock forward has been on 4 British & Irish Lions tours, and to this day remains as indestructible as ever.
2) Richie McCaw – 148
Often talked about as the greatest player of all time, Richie McCaw made his test debut for the All Blacks in 2001. His incredible career saw him win the Rugby World Cup twice, and the World Rugby player of the year title a record 3 times before retiring for club and country in 2015.
3) Sergio Parisse – 142
Italy’s greatest ever player was a stalwart for his national side, playing for 17 long years before hanging up his jersey in 2019.
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Still playing for Toulon in the French league, it was rumoured that Sergio Parisse would return to play one final game for Italy in the six nations to officially retire in front of the Azzurri fans. This so far has never come to fruition, however.
4) Brian O’Driscoll – 141
Bit of a legend in the emerald parts, Brian O’Driscoll is very much thought of as the greatest Ireland player to have ever played the game.
For years he was known as the best centre in the world and proved this in a magnificent 15-year career for Ireland and Leinster, finally retiring in 2015.
5) George Gregan – 139
The most capped ever Australian, George Gregan was an immensely talented scrum-half. He played a huge part in Australia winning the 1999 world cup, and is often thought of as one of the greatest scrum-halves the world has seen.
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Alongside fly-half Stephen Larkham, he holds the world record for half back partnership appearances with 79. All this was achieved before retiring from international rugby in 2007 after 13 years at the very top.
6) Gethin Jenkins – 134
Mr Wales through and through, Gethin Jenkins put his sizeable frame through 14 years worth of international rugby.
Appearing at three British and Irish Lions tours, the versatile prop was well known as a ‘new breed of prop’ with an incredible turnover ability, fitness, and speed.
7/8) Kevin Mealamu and Sam Whitelock – 132
Both players in their careers can proudly show off not just one, but two Rugby World Cup winners medals each for the All Blacks.
Keven Mealamu retired in 2015 after 13 years, whilst Sam Whitelock continues to put on the black of New Zealand as he reaches his 12th year in international rugby.
9) Ronan O’Gara – 130
Now the head coach of La Rochelle, Ronan O’Gara was one of the most intelligent rugby players on the planet.
Fly-half is probably the most complicated and intense position on the field, but O’Gara was able to read the game like so few others. It was this incredible game management that kept him without serious opposition for the shirt for so many years.
After 13 years and 2 British and Irish Lions tours, O’Gara finally retired from rugby in 2013.
10) Stephen Moore – 129
A slightly shorter international career than others on this list, Stephen Moore still wore the green and gold of Australia for 12 years.
A hooker by trade, he played for three domestic Australian sides before eventually retiring from club and country in 2017.
Comments on RugbyPass
Its a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend om the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside od World Cup years.
5 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
5 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
5 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to comments