Six Nations Greatest XV
As this year’s Six Nations ends, rugby fans across the world have been reminiscing about tournaments gone-by. They have determined what they collectively believe to be the greatest-ever Six Nations XV.
During this year’s Championship, rugby news site, RugbyPass, asked its 80,000-strong global fanbase to decide which players would make it into the greatest-ever Six Nations XV – and this has produced some fascinating results.
Six Nations Fan Consensus
This all-time team features players from five out of the six participating unions. With a combination of retired legends and some present-day stars.
Despite the side’s woes in this year’s tournament. Wales has the highest share of players chosen with a notable five out of fifteen. Ireland follows with four players, England is next best with three, France sees two stars represented, while Italy gets a sole selection.
Loosehead Prop
Embed from Getty ImagesGetting the first pick at loosehead prop is England icon, Jason Leonard. Recording 22% of votes, narrowly edging Welshman, Gethin Jenkins (21%). Ireland dominates the rest of the front three with legend, Keith Wood, comfortably getting the nod at hooker with 44%. While current Ireland star, Tadhg Furlong gets in at tighthead with 48% of the vote.
Front Row
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the engine room of the second row, former Wales captain and his nation’s all-time cap winner, Alun Wyn Jones, takes the number four shirt, winning with over half the vote (52%).
He’s joined by former Ireland skipper, Paul O’Connell. He dominates the picks with a massive 68% – the most for any forward. Ex-Ireland legend, Jamie Heaslip, who was skippered by O’Connell previously praised his leadership stating: “Off the field he was an unbelievable professional too; in my book no one comes close in this position if I’m honest.”
Back Row
Embed from Getty ImagesMoving onto the back row, the Welsh contingent is once more represented by Grand Slam-winning captain, Sam Warburton. He famously led his side to back-to-back Championship wins in 2012 and 2013 and is selected as openside flanker with almost half the votes (48%).
Thierry Dusautoir who led France to a Grand Slam in 2010 convincingly gets picked at blindside flanker with 43% of votes. Rounding off the pack is the only Italian player in the greatest XV. Former Italy captain Sergio Parisse – the tournament’s all-time leading appearance maker. He gets the nod at number eight, beating rivals with 43% of fans choosing him.
Current French star, and a player already widely regarded as one of the greatest ever, Antoine Dupont, is at scrum half. He had a massive 75% of the picks for the number nine shirt.
Former France star, Mathieu Bastareaud, has also spoke highly of his compatriot: “I remember Antoine’s debut for France as well and we all knew he was special. Right kick, left kick, passing, whatever it is, he finds it so simple. It says a lot when teams have to make a strategy against him.”
Fly-Half
Embed from Getty ImagesPulling the strings at fly-half, the fans have selected England legend Jonny Wilkinson. He gets 48% of the votes, over twice as much as the nearest rival, the recently retired Ireland legend, Johnny Sexton.
Rest of the Backline
Embed from Getty ImagesMoving onto the rest of the backline, Welsh players dominate the three-quarters. Shane Williams, synonymous with Wales’ ‘golden generation’ and player of the tournament in Wales’s 2008 Grand Slam. He gets the pick on the left wing (42%). He’s joined by another Welsh legend and tournament winner, Jamie Roberts at inside centre, winning a third of the votes (34%).
On his selection, Jamie Roberts, said: “It’s a privilege to be selected by the fans alongside some of the tournament’s greatest ever players. If only we could have put that team together on the park at some point! The Six Nations continues to excite supporters worldwide with this year’s incredible championship proving no different.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe tournament’s leading try scorer, Irish legend, Brian O’Driscoll is effectively the first name on the team sheet, getting the highest percentage of picks from all players chosen in the side. He wins a mammoth 80% vote share to take his spot at the outside centre.
His former teammate, Jamie Heaslip, said this of O’Driscoll: “I mean, he’s an icon of the game; there are very few players who can be globally recognised like Brian. He changed the expectations of that position forever and while there might technically be ‘better’ players now, he transformed how you play the game there.”
Winger, George North, who has just announced his retirement from the international game. He is his country’s all-time leading try scorer in the Six Nations – rounds off the Welsh contingent.
He had 43% of the fan vote to take his place on the right wing. Finally, in the backline is another English legend and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, Jason Robinson, with 52% of the fans picking him at fullback.
Head Coach
Embed from Getty ImagesCoaching the team, fans have selected incumbent Wales coach, Warren Gatland. New Zealander, Gatland is currently in his second spell as coach of the national side.
However, it’s his first stint where he cemented his legacy, coaching Wales to four tournament titles, including three Grand Slams. He is chosen by 40% of the fans, beating current Ireland coach Andy Farrell who gets 30% of the popular vote.
Finally, another Welshman Nigel Owens. Renowned for his quick wit and incredible ability to control games. He is the fans’ pick for the greatest-ever Six Nations referee. Owens, immensely popular with fans and players alike, reflected with his 75% share of the vote, while Englishman, Wayne Barnes the next best with 12%.
Fans’ lineup:
1 Jason Leonard (ENG)
2 Keith Wood (IRE)
3 Tadhg Furlong (IRE)
4 Alun Wyn Jones (WAL)
5 Paul O’Connell (IRE)
6 Sam Warbuton (WAL)
7 Thierry Dusautoir (FRA)
8 Sergio Parisse (ITA)
9 Antoine Dupont (FRA)
10 Jonny Wilkinson (ENG)
11 Shane Williams (WAL)
12 Jamie Roberts (WAL)
13 Brian O’Driscoll (IRE)
14 George North (WAL)
15 Jason Robinson (ENG)
Coach: Warren Gatland (NZ)
Ref: Nigel Owens (WAL)
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
