Picking the greatest rugby union XV of all time is like debating the best toppings for a pizza \u2013 everyone has their own opinion, and no one\u2019s really wrong (except maybe if you choose pineapple).<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.\u00a0<\/p>\n Your birth year, your hometown, and even your favourite team all play a part in shaping who you think deserves a spot. Nostalgia and a touch of bias? Absolutely.<\/p>\n But when it comes to\u00a0our\u00a0ultimate lineup, the RUCK team has gone bold. There\u2019s no room for Dan Carter, Paul O\u2019Connell, or Sergio Parisse. So, who\u00a0did\u00a0make the cut? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n 15. Serge Blanco (France)\u00a0<\/p>\n The French icon\u2019s international career with France saw the flamboyant fullback perform various outlandish levels of skill while winning Five Nation Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987 as well as four further titles.<\/p>\n Blanco was a threat from everywhere on the field and often took risks that we very rarely see nowadays. In total, he won 93 caps for France during his 11-year international career between 1980 and 1991, which was a record when he retired.<\/p>\n He also scored an imposing 233 points and is a true legend of the sport.<\/p>\n Did you know:\u00a0Images of Blanco\u2019s on-field heroics can always be viewed ironically alongside images of him strutting along the touchline nursing a cigarette.<\/p>\n Honourable mentions:\u00a0JPR Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), Percy Montgomery (South Africa)<\/p>\n 14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)<\/p>\n The New Zealander remains the joint all-time top try scorer at the Rugby World Cup along with Bryan Habana, crossing the whitewash on 15 different occasions across the 1995 and 1999 tournaments. <\/p>\n The easiest selection in a greatest ever XV.<\/p>\n Originally of Tongan descent, it was Lomu who made it glamorous to be a big, bruising winger, even though his stature could have easily seen him fill in at centre or somewhere in the pack.<\/p>\n Much like the Juggernaut of the Marvel Universe, there wasn\u2019t much that could stop Lomu once he\u2019d gotten into a stride.<\/p>\n Did you know:\u00a0In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories<\/p>\n Honourable mentions:\u00a0Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales)<\/p>\n 13. Brian O\u2019Driscoll (Ireland)\u00a0<\/p>\n The former Ireland and British and Irish Lions Skipper Brian O\u2019Driscoll was one of the most consistent performers in the world for over a decade.<\/p>\n He hung up his boots in 2014 after accumulating 133 caps for Ireland with a fantastic return of 245 points. In the emerald green, he triumphed in the Six Nations in 2009 (Grand Slam) and 2014 as well as being chosen as Player of the Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2009.<\/p>\n The Dublin-born is also the highest all-time Irish record try scorer with an incredible 46 scores, and also led his country more times than any other player.<\/p>\n Did you know:\u00a0O\u2019Driscoll was chosen as Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009\u00a0RBS Six Nations\u00a0Championships.<\/p>\n Honourable mentions: Jeremy Guscott (England), Will Greenwood (England), Frank Bunce (New Zealand)<\/p>\n 12. Tim Horan (Australia)\u00a0<\/p>\n Only a handful of players has won the Rugby World Cup Twice and power-packed runner Tim Horan is one of them, triumphing in 1991 and 1999 with Australia.<\/p>\n He made his international debut in 1989 against the All Blacks and would go on to make 80 caps, scoring 30 tries, in an impressive 11-year career.<\/p>\n Did you know:\u00a0Horan\u2019s father is Mike Horan, the former National Party and Liberal National Party Member of Parliament for the Queensland electorate of Toowoomba South.<\/p>\n Honourable mentions: Phillipe Sella (France), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Brian Lima (Samoa)<\/p>\n 11. David Campese (Australia)\u00a0<\/p>\n Capped by Australia on more than 100 occasions and scorer of 64 international tries, David Campese was once the world\u2019s top scorer, but now has to settle for the honour of second place.<\/p>\n To summarise, if there was even the slightest bit of daylight between the try-line and his opposite man, Campese was as good as over.<\/p>\n Whether it was by use of his patented \u201cgoose-step\u201d or with use of the more archaic barrelling motion, the Wallabies legend was simply a magnet for scoring.<\/p>\n Beginning his international career at just 19 years of age, it was clear early on that Australia had a special talent on their hands, and the early start allowed Campese to repay his selectors massively down the years.<\/p>\n Did you know:\u00a0Campese was also a renowned\u00a0rugby sevens<\/a>\u00a0player. He made 12 appearances at the\u00a0Hong Kong Sevens<\/a>\u00a0(1983-1990, 1993\u201394, 97-98), during which he played in three victorious Australian campaigns (\u201983, \u201985 & \u201988)<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n