The Best UK Rugby Players Ranked

Rugby is usually overshadowed by other sports in the grand scheme of things, but what’s particularly interesting about it is that it has direct ties to sportsmanship in the UK.

It’s a sport that developed around the same time as football, evolving out of the various forms of football at the time. Because of its classically ‘elitist’ origins, values of chivalry, pride, bravery, teamwork, unselfishness, and discipline became deeply embedded into the rugby culture.

As a result, the sport developed a one-of-a-kind spirit that is felt on and off the pitch. Despite its similarities with football regarding teamwork and connection, rugby has a community-driven charm and a less commercialized appeal. And what better way to see this culture in action than by watching the players themselves?

Much like the best all-around casino websites offer a variety of games and features, these rugby legends each bring unique playing styles and skills that have shaped their legacies.

#1 Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson played for 12 years on the Newcastle Falcons before his move to Toulon, earning an impressive 2,049 points. Especially for a fly-half, it speaks to his reliability and his overwhelming team contributions. Fly-halves are playmakers, which means he was able to capitalize on the right tactical decisions and unify the team. He’s responsible for scoring the winning drop goal that helped England win the 2003 World Cup in the final minute of extra time—the only time England has won. As a complete player with the tenacity to play after injuries, put his body on the line, and demonstrate rare tactical intelligence, he quickly solidified himself as an integral part of rugby history.

#2 Matt Dawson

With his colorful personality, it’s no shock that former rugby player Matt Dawson went on to have a media career. But it wasn’t his personality that made him famous—it was his decorated rugby career. Dawson holds the most caps (77) as an English scrum-half and captained the England national team nine times. He was so successful as captain that he led them to a Six Nations Championship victory at the turn of the millennium. Internationally, Dawson is one of few to have won both 7- and 15-player versions of the World Cups. On the pitch, Matt’s knowledge of the game and his on-the-ball thinking were what made him a problem for the opposing team’s defense. He would pinpoint the smallest openings with his ‘sniping’ runs around the scrums, securing field positioning for the team and consistently moving the play forward.

#3 Ben Youngs

Number one on this list is Ben Youngs, the record cap-holder with 127 appearances for the national team. He has played for the Leicester Tigers since 2006, earning 230 points in his 320 appearances. A younger player compared to some of the veterans on this list, Youngs moves down to third place, giving him room to establish his legacy. As a scrum-half, he is known best for his accurate passing and remarkable game awareness, building a strong reputation with his consistency. In just 15 years, he’s proven time and time again that he’s a skilled player, winning five Premiership Rugby titles. With the intensely competitive nature of the Premiership, it’s clear that Youngs is indispensable to the Leicester Tigers.

#4 Martin Johnson

One of the greatest locks to ever play the game, Martin Johnson is the captain any team would dream of having. While Jonny Wilkinson scored the winning kick for England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Johnson captained the team to greatness. He wasn’t the type of leader who was flashy or out there—he stuck to a quiet confidence and managed to always stay calm under pressure, which naturally commanded respect and trust from his teammates. His role in leadership lived on even after his retirement in 2004-2005, becoming England’s team manager in 2008. England ended up winning the 2011 Six Nations Championship under his captaincy.

#5 Lawrence Dallaglio

Dallaglio was a one-club man, staying loyal to the London Wasps his entire 18-year career. Because his father was Italian and his mother was Irish, he had the opportunity to play for Ireland or Italy but ended up playing for his birthplace, England. Dallaglio spent the first eight years of his professional career establishing himself as one of the best forwards in the country. Eventually, after Nick Farr-Jones resigned, he became captain of the England rugby team in 1998. In just one year, the London Wasps won the first English league title of the professional era. When the Wasps struggled in the Guinness Premiership, Dallaglio’s late joining after the Rugby World Cup changed everything. They improved through the group stage in the EDF Cup and moved up the ladder—another testament to his impact on the sport.

#6 Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell’s senior career has been exclusively in France, but he played for the England national team between 2012 and 2023. He has scored over 1,200 points in more than 100 tests, the most prestigious form of competition rugby. Despite being the younger player in the squad, coach Stuart Lancaster chose him to play for England in the 2012 Six Nations Championship. After his rocky first match, he delivered a masterclass in kicking during the next match against Italy. In the entire competition, he earned the team 63 points in the five games he played. He was frequently selected as a starter and an integral player to the national team throughout his international career and only missed games because of injury.