England and British & Irish Lions stalwart Owen Farrell has revealed the four players he ranks as the greatest flyhalves of all time.
The 29-year-old Farrell, who is travelling to South Africa as part of the Lions squad later this year, has 97 Tests caps to his name since making his debut in 2012 and has played against a host of flyhalves throughout his career.
As published by Ruck.co.uk, Farrell recently picked who he believes are the greatest No 10s to ever play the game and the list is not at all surprising. He selected two All Blacks, one Englishman and one Irishman.
Farrell’s top four flyhalves:
1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
‘There are so many, but it would have to be Jonny (Wilkinson), simple as that. The consistency he showed throughout his career was incredible, he set a new standard for flyhalves all over the world.’
2. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
‘He is another one who has been incredible over a long period. A record breaking career.’
3. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
‘Johnny is a fantastic player and even though I had respect for him before the Lions, I have even more now. I enjoyed being around him, seeing what players bring to the job day in, day out, the detail they go into. Johnny demands stuff of people, demands that they know their jobs and get it right.’
4. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
‘He’s a world-class player. World Rugby player of the year twice in a row, there are not many people who have done that. He’s classy, a brilliant athlete and those are the kind of people you want to play against. You look forward to coming up against them.’
Photo: Ashley Western/Getty Images
