The greatest World Cup Rugby XV of all time
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Over 160,000 fans voted on a poll run by the BBC as they asked which 15 players would make an all-time Rugby World Cup XV. Some huge names were ommitted from the side, such was the competition for places as only 15 could make the cut. Here are the players voted for by rugby fans as the all-time Rugby World Cup XV.
1. Jason Leonard
Jason Leonard gained a record-breaking 114 caps for England during his amazing 14-year international career, during which he won the 2003 World Cup. He’s the starting prop in this team.
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
Hooker Sean Fitzpatrick is still regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever players. He won the World Cup in 1987.
3. Owen Franks
There was a battle for the tighthead prop role in this team, but it was the two-time World Cup winner Owen Franks of New Zealand who beat out Welshman Adam Jones for the spot.
4. Martin Johnson
With over 100,000 votes, Martin Johnson, England’s World Cup-winning captain from 2003, gets in at number four.
5. John Eales
Another two-time World Cup winner, Australia’s John Eales, joins Johnson in the front row.
6. Francois Pienaar
South Africa’s 1995 World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar joins the team at flanker.
7. Richie McCaw
No shocks here. Richie McCaw is still the only man to have captained two World Cup-winning sides and he is still the all-time most-capped player in international Test rugby, having played 148 games for New Zealand. He rounds off an amazing forward line.
8. Zinzan Brooke
The extremely powerful and skilful Zinzan Brooke was the number eight for the All Blacks during their 1987 triumph and he’s been selected by voters for this team.
9. Joost van der Westhuizen
One of South Africa’s greatest ever stars, Joost van der Westhuizen deservedly gets a spot in the side. The scrum-half, who passed away back in 2017, featured in three World Cups, helping his country to glory in 1995.
10. Dan Carter
The highest point scorer in Test match rugby and the winner of two World Cups, Dan Carter was always going to make the side. The fly-half is regarded as one of the best to have ever played the game.
11. Jonah Lomu
The joint-top try-scorer in World Cup history, Jonah Lomu was always going to be in. The wing, who tragically passed away in 2015, is rightly remembered as a true All Black and World Cup great.
12. Brian O'Driscoll
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll is regarded as one of the greatest outside centres of all time. He captained his country for nine years and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame back in 2016.
13. Ma'a Nonu
The final New Zealand man to make the side is versatile star Ma’a Nonu. He was a key member of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning side, however, he missed out on a spot for the All Blacks this year.
14. Bryan Habana
South Africa speed machine Bryan Habana is regarded as one of the quickest players to ever play the game and helped his country to World Cup glory in 2007. He scored eight tries during the tournament, equalling Jonah Lomu’s 1999 record. He ended up on 15 World Cup tries, level with the New Zealand star.
15. Serge Blanco
France legend Serge Blanco could play on the wing, however, he was best known for his brilliance at fullback. He’s the final man in the side.