Sir Ian McGeechan ranks the five best rugby players of all time
02/15/2025 04:58 PM
Sir Ian McGeechan, a rugby visionary and coaching maestro, has seen it all. With four British & Irish Lions tours under his belt as head coach and two more as a player, few in rugby history boast a résumé as decorated as his.
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His deep tactical understanding and mentorship have shaped the sport, earning him legendary status worldwide.
Writing for The Telegraph, the 77-year-old named his all-time greatest rugby players, selecting six New Zealanders, three Englishmen, two Welshmen, and one player each from France, Scotland, and Ireland.
Among them, his top five standouts include an English and Welsh rugby icon. Here's who made the cut.
#5. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
A behemoth who changed the game forever, Jonah Lomu was rugby's first global superstar. The 6ft 5in, 120kg winger was a terrifying blend of speed and power, redefining what was possible for a man of his size.
Lomu's explosive performances at the 1995 Rugby World Cup remain the stuff of legend, as he bulldozed defences with ease, scoring four tries in an iconic semi-final against England.
McGeechan wrote: "Illness and injury ultimately slowed him down. But his performances at the 1995 World Cup, just as the game was turning professional, will never be forgotten. The game needed a superstar, and it got one in Lomu. He was brilliant for rugby."
#4. Martin Johnson (England)
One of the most fearsome captains in rugby history, Martin Johnson led England to World Cup glory in 2003, cementing his place among the sport's greats.
Renowned for his towering physicality, leadership, and sheer will to win, the Leicester lock was the heart of England's forward dominance during his era. He remains the only man to have captained the Lions on two tours.
McGeechan wrote: "I think he defined an era, both for forward play and for the performances of the teams he represented."
#3. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
Regarded by many as the finest fly-half to ever play the game, Dan Carter's all-around excellence made him a once-in-a-generation talent.
The All Black maestro's tactical awareness, immaculate goal-kicking, and game-breaking ability saw him guide New Zealand to two Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015.
McGeechan wrote: "He really was the complete 10. His defence was immaculate, he could break himself, he could bring others into play, his kicking from hand and from tee was incredibly accurate. He also changed the way the game was played with his kicking from his own 22m and his kicking to compete. The greatest of the modern era in my opinion."
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