Who Were My FAVOURITE Northern Hemisphere Rugby Players?

I was a young man once! Who were my favourite rugby players from the Northern Hemisphere from that bygone era!? A bunch of bloody backs apparently - and one forward who is almost my age!
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[@chrismullan2125]

As an Irishman, Brian is my favourite ever sports person. He was sensational and just ignited such a feeling of awe and excitement when watching him. He really made me fall in love with the game of rugby 💚

[@JTM1809]

He was exceptional. BTW, he's the highest international try scorer whose natural preferred position isn't in the outside back. That alone makes him a legend. He's the greatest Irish rugby player of all time in my eyes. But my favorite Irish player is Keith Earls.

[@eriksalholm]

One of those players where you just got excited when he got the ball. You never knew what he could or would do.

[@eriksalholm]

@@JTM1809 So good! And seems like a great person. That try he scored, on his 100th and final international cap was incredible.

[@JTM1809]

@@eriksalholm Made my day, mate. I watched that match live. To watch him become a centurion and score on his hundie was truly special. One of my cherished rugby memories.

[@JGrowl-er9md]

Yep. His legacy is suffering from revisionism. He is the best player Ireland ever produced. Brilliant attacker, clever defender, and hard as nails.

[@scran7346]

Audio is slightly out of sync, for me at least. Just a heads up, nice video

[@glenallen196]

Irish guy here, always loved watching Shane Williams! And admired Sergio parisse (felt sorry for him most times)

[@maxsimilan1]

Great topic, which got me thinking.. My favourite players were a bit older. Serge Blanco for France, my idol for a graceful running fullback (Philippe Sella also). For Ireland - Keith Wood for awesome effort and inspirational play. Wales - Jonathan Davis - had a skillset I dreamed of having. For England - Lewis Moody was just fun to watch his energy, he was always in the thick of it. For Scotland - Gary Armstrong at halfback really shone as a tough competitor. Mostly I saw these players on TV in test matches in NZ and Australia when I was in my teens and 20s. Unfortunately Italy never really came down under, so I didn't get to see them that often.

[@P-45937]

Jason Robinson was electric ⚡ Always found a gap with those rapid sidesteps

[@Driver2616]

Tony Ward. What a magnificent 10 he was. Saw him playing in his prime. Definitely my favourite Irish player. Phil Bennett in Wales. Serge Blanco in France. Rory Underwood in England. Ange Capuozzo in Italy. Hamish Watson in Scotland. Some old, some new and also in between!🙂

[@MrNmitch17]

Wrong Underwood, Rory's the man

[@Driver2616]

@@MrNmitch17 : Correct. Typo there.

[@fleshen]

No one can hate on Shane surely😀 BOD was a lovely player to watch

[@chasey2327]

when Jason Robinson came over from League it was excitement city in our house

[@Fisherjobi]

Love hearing your point if view. As an Englishman, i once lived with a kiwi that played at our club for a few years and learning about the thought process and perception of us was always interesting

[@hlangaful]

Chabal for France, come on. Hard hitting and just demanded respect. You have got to love that. Edit: You actually mention him. LOL

[@ChrisBrown-or8ky]

I was at that game in chch that nz squeaked past BODs Ireland. Incredible game. Bitterly cold, the frost was coming down before kickoff. Ireland did everything but win. My faves, BOD of course and Johnny Wilkinson. Brilliant player that nz media used to ignore. Phillipe Sella for France although i was a fanboy of Comberobero too. Scotland flanker John Jeffrey. He was a brilliant player. Just nails and grit and heart. Wales, too many to count. Jonathan Davies and Ieuan Evans, although Shane Williams was just brilliant to watch too

[@AE-ix2iz]

Welcome back!

[@Natedawg38]

So hard to pick an irish player who isn't brian. He just had that aura. Fast little dude!

[@ray4mondo]

Fabien Pelous a big guy with a big heart and was a big game player brilliant in the line out and what a scrummager, a class act. Paul O'Connell another second rower with maybe even a Bigger Heart was on the winning side when Munster pipped Tolouse for their second Heineken Cup title in 2008 a tense match think at that time both teams had played 142 and 143 games in the European Champions Cup. Yeah, Shane Williams was a winger, Im ticking that box along with your next choice Robinson. Think I'll have to go for that Great great Hooker Ross Ford think he might be the most capped Scottish player. This last one was a hard decision between Alessandro Troncon and Diego Dominguez, the scrum half and the fly half, I've opted for the home grown Troncon although Dominguez was a classy fly. And the player whom I both admired and disliked was Martin Johnson Englands World Cup winning Captain and gave us (Ireland) the opportunity to beat the world chomps both home and away over the next 4 years

[@PatrickBrown924]

My favourite player of my youth was David Humphreys, Ulster and Ireland out-half, who led Ulster to their one Heineken Cup championship in 1999. Still a bit miffed at Ronan O'Gara for taking the Ireland 10 shirt off him. Serge Blanco was always fun to watch for France. A player I always disliked was England captain Will Carling, mainly for his post-match interviews. England would win 38-3 and he'd imply the other team cheated to get the 3. There's a vert funny clip of him playing sevens for Harlequins and running in for what looks like a great try, except the opposition lift him bodily off the ground so he can't get it down. Didn't get to see the Southern Hemisphere players all that often, so I've no particular insight into them.

[@johngarveyire]

All you all say, but do I remember correctly that Keith Woods changed what a front row could/should be doing? BOD, Shane, Johnny W - legends

[@Faust_ZA]

for france it was yachvili , wales gavin henson, Ireland tomas o leary , England robinson scotland and italy cant remember

[@leodivine]

Diego Dominiguez was incredible for Italy - they'd usually get hammered - but his kicking was always spot-on - always loved seeing him play 🇮🇪 🤝 🇮🇹

[@nicensleazy1892]

Hello Mark - hope you are well

[@eriksalholm]

I loved Ieuan Evans. Was lucky enough to see in his prime.

[@geraudblaclard]

Emile Ntamack, Christian Califano

[@JTM1809]

What a great idea of a video. My list would be: FRANCE: I don't really like France, but I've always liked Guilhem Guirado. He was a stand-out in the absolute ashtray period of French rugby. Always carried his team and was a dignified competitor. No primadona, no stereotypical attitude. Just a classy guy and a top international performer. IRELAND: Don't really like Ireland, either, but this is one of the easiest picks: Keith Earls by a country mile. A salt of the Earth kind of a guy. Pure heart and effort. A rugby trophy for the most underrated player of the year should be called the Keith Earls Trophy. HM would go to Robbie Henshaw. WALES: I love Wales and could name entire squads, but my favorite player is always going to be Leigh Halfpenny. ENGLAND: Not a fan of England, but will always remember and admire Courtney Lawes and Danny Care. Have to name them both, as I can't put a hair's breadth between the two. SCOTLAND: I like a handful of Scottish players a lot, but don't really have a strong stand out favorite or two. I'd have to name like five, and that's not the point. ITALY: The one and only, the big Sergio. Needs to be in any conversation on the greatest #8 in history. Insane skillset, and a classy guy on top of all that.

[@eaomonn1215]

Ok taffy

[@JTM1809]

@@eaomonn1215 Except I'm not Welsh

[@josephharrington7129]

This is fun, got me thinking of those I admired over the years, so will try my best (am Ireland supporter): NZ: Christian Cullen; Australia: Joe Roff (only JUST ahead of David Pocock); South Africa: Joost van der Westhuizen; Argentina: Pichot; Italy: Sergio; France: Thierry Dusautoir; England: Richard Hill; Wales: Rob Howley; Scotland: Tom Smith (for that performance in the Lions 1997 tour alone). Please let me know your thoughts. TBH, Scotland was the hardest to think of someone totally outstanding.

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

Love me some Christian Cullen. Never really liked Joe Roff personally, rather Larkham. Quite reminiscent of Larkham in a way, I loved Carlos Spencer.

[@josephharrington7129]

@@patanouketgersiflet9486 Thanks for the reply, Larkham was so great, looked to not be trying but just had so much time on the ball. I was in Twickers in 1999 to see him kick the overtime dropgoal. Fantastic. And who doesn't like a little bit of Carlos magic, great choices.

[@somersetfan1]

I think I'm a bit older, so a lot of these were from my childhood, but France - Sella, Ireland - Keith Wood (or BOD), Wales - Gareth Edwards, or at the time, Jonathan (Jiffy) Davies, Scotland - John Jeffrey, England - Dallaglio was underrated, Italy - Parisse

[@russellcoates8617]

Irishman here who got into rugby growing up in the 2000s. Hard to pick just one for Ireland, but if I had to, it would be Ronan O'Gara, even though some don't rate him. Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell are right up there also, and I'm a big fan of Tommy Bowe and Rory Best. I agree with the choice of Chris Paterson for Scotland and Shane Williams for Wales. For Italy, I'd have to pick Sergio Parisse. The two players you mentioned disliking, Wilkinson and Chabal, would actually be my favourites for England and France as I always had a huge level of respect for them both. As for the All Blacks, always massive respect for Dan Carter and Doug Howlett but didn't like Umaga and Mealamu for obvious reasons. Loved watching Super Rugby on Saturday mornings in the early 2010s when I had time.

[@dewabule]

Apologies, this is not related to the video! Wanted to ask (don’t know how else to do so) if you noticed that the Blue Revs in Japan drew consecutive games with the same 31-31 scoreline. Has that ever happen in RU before? How would we search for that? One in a million, at least…

[@celtic333ful]

My picks would be Blanco, BOD, Edwards, Wilkenson, Smith and Parisse

[@philipqvist7322]

Home Unions - choose anybody from the great 1971/74 Lions Teams, especially the one that destroyed the Boks; Willie John, Gareth, JJ and JPR, Mighty Mouse, etc. Brilliant team. France - Serge Blanco

[@benbryan4468]

Would love to hear your opinion on the Cardiff Vs Ulster game last night. We were robbed, the officiating was an absolute disgrace.

[@harryjudge8153]

Im irish so bod obviously. Then i would say michilak wilkinson jamie roberts and graig laidlaw as my other non irish favs from the north

[@lukedudley5030]

In BOD we trust :-) he was a brilliant player dont listen to those who believe otherwise...wilkinson and lewsey for england for me...castenyed (spelt wring) for france...brian redpath for scotland and shane howley for wales are my picks :-)

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

As A Frenchman, I absolutely loved Jauzion and Dusautoir. Shane Williams too obviously, BOD, and love/hate relationship with Wilko, guy was too good, never missed a beat, and prevented a great French side from potentially winnning in 2003. Parisse and Dominguez on theItalian side need a mention. Not a NH nation, but el mago JM Hernandez was a joy to watch in his hayday.

[@patanouketgersiflet9486]

Forgot Imanol for France, he always brought his A game and could do it all.

[@Samizouza]

Pretty identical to my idols growing up, only difference is Johnny Wilkinson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 for me. For the others from the RC: 🇦🇺 Stephen Larkham 🇿🇦 Percy Montgomery 🇦🇷 Augustin Pichot 🇳🇿 Andrew Merhtens

[@karlmurray2225]

David Ian Campese was exciting.

[@user-rr6kz8vu3i]

Phil Bennett for me was the most exciting player to watch.

[@danWMO7]

Henson, Jonny, Bergemasco, Wood, Ntamack snr, Hastings.

[@jimmyobrien8738]

Ireland. Bod Italy. Sergio parisse Wales. Shane Williams Scotland. Chris Paterson England. Jonny Wilkinson France. Antoine Dupont

[@ProutProutCacaXx]

Being french : NZ : Umaga Ireland : O'driscol Wales : Sam Warburton 😂 England : Wilkinson Scotland : Patterson Italie : Mirco Bergamasco

[@joedennehy386]

Phillipe Sella, Serge Blanco. Lawrence Dallaglio, martin Johnson. Willie John Mcbride mike Gibson. Barry John, Gareth Edwards, Dereck Quinell . Gavin Hastings Sergey Parisse. Castro Giovanni

[@johngarveyire]

Well - if we go as far back as Willie John Mcbride then theres only one choice - Willie John Mcbride - he stands alone...

[@expressoevangelism80]

England:- Duckham; Guscott; Delaleo; Hill; Back; Johnson. Ripley was greatly under utilised, he always was too early for his time. Ireland:- Wood; Slatery; Lenahan. Wales:- JPR, John; Edwards; quite a few Williams Scotland:- Irvine; McGecan. France:- Reeve; Sella; Can’t remember the full back around that time. I know there are many more, but these guys come so readily to mind.

[@paulnash5500]

If BOD played with more world class players, he’d of been unstoppable 😊

[@charlottescott7150]

Lots I love. Emile Ntamack, Dusautoir, O'Connell, agree with your picks though. Didn't like Healy as a player or a commentator!

[@jaykaye594]

You had a chance to pick Dancing Tadhg Furlong and you blew it.

[@BarryJack44]

Agree with all of those, except I'd recommend for Scotland: Alan Tait. Class!

[@jimmyobrien8738]

2024. Ireland. Bundi aki Scotland. Finn Russell England. Ben earl France. Antoine Dupont Italy. Ange Capuozzo Wales. Josh adams

[@Dreyno]

That 2012 game was decided by a dodgy scrum decision from Nigel if I remember correctly.

[@RRTNZ]

Very biased here towards Welsh players, especially Shane Williams and Bomb ( Adam Jones). Had massive respect for Blanco, Dusatoir, RIP Dominici. I met Raphael Ibanez, very nice guy. Irish players. ..has to be Keith Wood and Brian O.D. England, Matt Dawson was very underrated and made a huge contribution to their RWC victory along with the man, Jonny Wilkinson was great and gave 100% every time.