Imagine this: England's legendary World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson, assembling his ultimate rugby dream team. But hold on... some absolute titans of the sport didn't make the cut!
That's right, the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Shane Williams, Brian O’Driscoll, and Jason Robinson are nowhere to be seen in his lineup. Johnson, a true icon of the game and a two-time British & Irish Lions captain (1997, 2001), has put together a squad packed with rugby's all-time greats. With two Grand Slams for England under his belt (1995, 2003), Johnson's leadership and understanding of the game are beyond question.
So, who earned a spot in this exclusive XV? Let's dive in!
BACK THREE
Fullback: Serge Blanco (France)
A true magician with the ball, Blanco scored an impressive 38 tries in 93 appearances for France. He was renowned for his incredible attacking flair, leaving spectators in awe. Johnson simply calls him "A great France fullback who dominated games."Winger: Joe Roff (Australia)
Roff was a crucial part of Australia’s golden era, including their 1999 Rugby World Cup victory. He scored 30 tries in 86 Tests. Johnson sees him as a complete player. "You’d put David Campese up there, but Roff is my choice. A fantastic all-round rugby player, an old-school wing."Winger: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The most feared winger in rugby history, Lomu's 15 Rugby World Cup tries and his bulldozing runs redefined the game. Johnson's assessment? "Not much difficulty in choosing one of the most awesome wings to have ever played."
CENTRES
Outside-centre: Philippe Sella (France)
Sella was the first player to reach 100 caps for France. He's widely considered one of the most complete centres the game has ever seen. Johnson recalls, "I used to watch him as a kid on TV and think he was brilliant. Then I played against him, and he was still brilliant. If you hit him, it was like running into concrete."Inside-centre: Danie Gerber (South Africa)
One of the best centres who never had the chance to play in a Rugby World Cup due to South Africa's sporting exile. Gerber possessed incredible pace, scoring 19 tries in just 24 Tests. Johnson remembers, "He didn’t play many Tests because of apartheid, but he had power and pace. I played against him in a charity match in 1996 when he was in his 40s – he was still awesome."
But here's where it gets controversial... What do you think of Johnson's choices? Are there any players you believe deserved a place in his ultimate XV? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Did he get it right?
