40 Greatest England Rugby players in history: Ranked

01/21/2025 05:26 AM

Who is England's greatest rugby player? This debate has rumbled on for decades, with each generation staking its claim.

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From Rugby World Cup champions to modern-day icons, we've compiled a definitive list celebrating England's finest players.

Get ready to relive the magic as we count down the top 40 English rugby legends.

#40. Wade Dooley – The 'Blackpool Tower'

Standing tall in England's second row, Dooley's height and physicality made him a linchpin during the late 1980s.

#39. Manu Tuilagi – The Human Bulldozer

Tuilagi's devastating ball-carrying and try-scoring ability have left defenders trembling for over a decade.

#38. Dylan Hartley – Captain Combative

England's fiery hooker and leader under Eddie Jones, Hartley's tenacity helped steer England to glory.

#37. Maggie Alphonsi – 'The Machine'

A trailblazer in women's rugby, Alphonsi's bone-crunching tackles and relentless energy inspired a generation.

#36. Trevor Woodman – Scrum Maestro

Part of the 2003 World Cup-winning pack, Woodman's technical prowess anchored England's scrum.

#35. Kyran Bracken – The Ice-Cold Scrum-Half

Bracken's sharp decision-making and calmness under pressure made him a standout in the late '90s.

#34. Billy Vunipola – The Powerhouse

England's go-to man for hard metres, Billy's ball-carrying has been a cornerstone of England's pack.

#33. Joe Marler – The Scrummaging Joker

With elite scrummaging skills and a larger-than-life personality, Marler has become a modern cult hero.

#32. Steve Thompson – The Relentless Hooker

Thompson's dynamic play was crucial in England's 2003 World Cup success, and he remains a legend of the game.

#31. Will Carling – The Nation's Leader

England's youngest-ever captain, Carling led his team to three Grand Slam titles in the '90s.

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