When an English newspaper is compiling a list of their top 25 Six Nations players of all time, you’d nearly forgive them for giving the nod to Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio or Jonny Wilkinson.
But it was Ireland’s own Brian O’Driscoll that was singled out at top spot by The Guardian today.
The former Ireland captain was rewarded for the stellar performances and grinding years he’s put into the competition and just edged out England legend Martin Johnson at the top of the pile.
An explanation of their top pick reads:
“There isn’t enough space to list all the things he’s good at. Everyone knows them anyway. More Six Nations caps (65 – all of them starts) than anyone else; more tries (26); a grand slam captain; another title; four Triple Crowns. You get the picture. His international rugby career is as old as the Six Nations itself, having made his championship debut in 2000. His hat-trick against France in round four that year was remarkable less for Ireland’s first win in Paris since 1972, more for the rising of a star who has burned more brightly in the years since than any other.”
Meanwhile O’Driscoll’s successor and Joe Schmidt’s current skipper, Paul O’Connell, is named in third place ahead of other tournament legends Sergio Parisse (4th), Jonny Wilkinson (5th) and Shane Williams (7th).
The third and final Irishman in the newspaper’s top ten is another Munster man. Keith Wood is not dissimilar to O’Connell in the way that their never-say-die attitude is trickled down to their other 14 teammates and he has been rightly rewarded with his place at number eight.
Grand list lads, grand list.
