The Six Nations rugby tournament is set to resume this Friday with a match between Italy and Wales. Ireland are tipped as the favourites to clinch the championship title for the third time in a row.
In a recent poll of 2,000 rugby enthusiasts conducted ahead of this year’s tournament, the nation’s favourite rugby star was revealed.
Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll ranked fourth on the list, his fearless play securing his status as one of the most thrilling players in Six Nations history. English fans also celebrated Martin Johnson, whose ball-carrying prowess and physical resilience have made him a modern-day icon, earning him fifth place.
However, it was English legend Jonny Wilkinson who was crowned the greatest Six Nations player of all time, surpassing Welsh stars Sir Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams. Unfortunately, Jeremy Guscott was voted as the most overrated player.
A spokesperson for Lottoland.co.uk, which commissioned the study in conjunction with its Sportsbook team, commented: “We’ve been fortunate enough to witness some incredible players over the years. As the Five Nations evolved into the Six Nations, some aspects of becoming a game hero have remained unchanged.”
“It’s not just about the victories, it’s about how they made the fans feel and their contributions to thrilling matches.”
Fans value teamwork and the ability to lift teammates’ performances as key qualities for a player to be considered the ‘Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT).
A third of fans emphasised the need for consistent performance across games and superior technical skills. However, 23 per cent expressed a preference for players who show passion and pride when representing their country.
Almost one in five fans admitted that they’ve been so inspired by a Five or Six Nations player that they’d consider naming their child after them if they haven’t already done so.
A spokesperson for Lottoland commented: “Rugby fans are as passionate off the pitch as the players are on it, and the Six Nations always sparks lively debates about the legends of the game.”
“From record-breaking moments to unforgettable performances, every fan has their favourites-and that’s what makes these conversations so engaging. The beauty of rugby is that every generation has its icons, and the Six Nations is the stage where many of them shine.”
Top 30 players of all time according to fans:
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Jonny Wilkinson – England
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Gareth Edwards – Wales
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JPR Williams – Wales
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Brian O’Driscoll – Ireland
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Martin Johnson – England
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Johnny Sexton – Ireland
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Lawrence Dallaglio – England
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Gavin Hastings – Scotland
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Serge Blanco – France
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Alun Wyn Jones – Wales
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Jonathan Davies (Jiffy) – Wales
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Jason Robinson – England
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Ronan O’Gara – Ireland
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Antoine Dupont – France
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Shane Williams – Wales
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Sam Warburton – Wales
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Jeremy Guscott – England
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Willie John McBride – Ireland
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Jason Leonard – England
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Chris Patterson – Scotland
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Sergio Parisse – Italy
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Ieuan Evans – Wales
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Mike Gibson – Ireland
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Paul O’Connell – Ireland
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Richard Hill – England
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Christophe Dominici – France
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Keith Wood – Ireland
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John Dawes – Wales
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Philippe Sella – France
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Tommy Bowe – Ireland