In this video we take a look at the greatest Rugby players to play for Ireland and select the 15 players who would deserve a place in an Irish All-Time team.
South African here. The loose trio is a tough one, a real tough one. Theres guys like david wallace, cj stander and the current active players coming through wich just show the great players the country has produced along the years. Look at the world class locks the current roster has, even nmr 9 has plenty to talk about. I love this team ive been cheering them on for more than a decade as my favorite team up north.
I'd definitely give a shout out to Robbie Henshaw in the center. He's like the O'Mahony of the backs, an inspiring big game player who plays well even when Ireland lose.
He's said in interviews that because of his size and gaining weight as he aged he played every position except lock. He was smart enough to hold onto the skills that would be useful. How often do you see a hooker sidestep in his own try area and then kick the ball downfield to win a penalty in 3 points?! I've never seen it since; he makes my all time XV.
@@darraghobrien7110 He is good, Set piece is maybe on par? Hard to judge that without numbers. Running lines and pace probably exceed Wood but Wood had a better sidestep and a kick so he gets my vote. Very excited to see Sheehan grow though.
Paul Wallace was top class and runs Furlong very close .About 15 years back Irish front row was Claw,Wood ,Wallace and they were a very good trio .Recency bias is huge ,Ginger Mcloughlin was a lion like Wallace and deserves a mention .
Good list, but this cannot be considered the best irish XV of "All time" There is a bias towards more recent players. The following are missing of at least a mention: Mike Gibson - generally considered in the pantheon of greatest centres, 12 BI lions caps and a hall of fame inductee. David Wallace - 72 Ireland caps, 3 lions caps across two tours, driving force in Munster's two Heineken cup wins. Simon Geoghan - At a time when Ireland were perennial whipping boys, he could tear teams apart on his own. Injured for the 97 lions tour, the management tried to keep a spot open for him until the last possible minute in case he recovered. Jack Kyle - Captain of Irelands only grand slam until 2009, 6 lions caps and hall of fame inductee. These are just the ones off the top of my head. Just my opinion.
If it's "of all time", you have to consider all players, and for a start the players listed below may have been as good as, or greater than, the great Johnny Sexton . You then need to take a similar approach to all of the other positions. Ireland's most talented ever no 8 may well have been Ken Goodall, but many fans today wouldn't even recognise his name. Ollie Campbell. Mike Gibson- though I'd select him at 12. (Do you know that Barry John nominated Mike, not Gareth Edwards, as the best player he played with?) Jack Kyle. Louis Magee.
With respect, how did you come to omitting Cameron Michael Gibson? I am a Leinster fan for almost 40 years and a big admirer of the D'Arcy - O'Driscoll combo BUT, Gordon D'Arcy is on the bench when it comes to where Mike Gibson plays. I would also have Andrew Trimble in the squad. One other name springs to mind - Ray MacLoughlin. One of the best tightheads to ever play - career cut short by injury.
I like your list. Though I'd shift Darcy for Gibson in a flash, for my choices. And one-dimensional Kearney has been totally userped by Keenan. ' The most complete FB Ireland has ever seen. And hes only just starting...
Super promising, really hope he's not reached his peak. Most players don't look that good so early on, and he's taken that world XV no8 shirt from Savea and Alldritt if you ask me.
@@Keeks749 Interesting, but I do not yet agree. I currently believe Savea and Alldritt are both well ahead of Dorris. Alldritt for his ball carrying and Savea for his awareness and creativity.
Hmm, would have to join the sceptics chorus questioning the choice of D'Arcy over Gibson. We are probably all well retired! Gibson was a fantastic fly-half before settling at centre; selected for 5 tours with the Lions, last international aged 36 ...not even a mention! Of his play in the greatest ever Lions back line in NZ in 1971, Colin Meads, the NZ captain, paid Gibson the highest compliment by saying: “Gibson’s presence in the Lions back-line was the most frustrating influence of all.”
Irish rugby fans old enough to remember the 1950s would tell you the greatest Irish player of all time was one Jack Kyle, who played fly half for Ireland and the Lions. Sadly there is very little footage available, so it's impossible to make comparisons with modern day players. The man deserves a mention at least, Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell too.
If you want to compare these older players to ones of today, I don’t think your comparisons will fair too well. They’d simply be too slow, too small and too weak to compete. It’s a struggle to compare players from 20 years ago, to those playing the game today - let alone those from the 50s.
@@MKRM27 These older players may have been smaller, weaker and slower, but they were amateurs who rarely trained (by comparison with their modern professional counterparts); what might they have achieved under modern conditions, with fitness coaches, dieticians etc?
Mike Gibson is a huge omission. Gibson would be on many peoples shortlist of worlds greatest centres, while Darcy wasn't even a Lions first choice. The All Blacks were in awe of Gibson and named him player of the tour in 1971. Also, long before World / European players of the year awards there were people like Fergus Slattery. Arguably the worlds best open side flanker of his generation. Can you honestly say that about van der Flier or O'Brien.
Think Pro/Am era is too hard to compare as players were completely different, both physically and the game itself. But These players could all have flourished in the professional era and were real class. Phillip Matthews Ciaran Fitzgerald Simon Geoghegan Ollie Campbell Tony Ward Philip Orr Fergus Slattery Willie Duggan Brendan Mullin
Stephen Ferris had a career blighted by injury and cut short. But when he was fit Jesus christ the man was a beast! Deserved a mention imho and I'm a Munster fan BTW
1F was imperious when fit and firing. Problem for him was injuries at key times. Hendy is having the same problems and I think he will be superseded by Baird for this RWC.
Not sure I agree on all 15, but every player today has the building blocks the players you have choosen built to thrive apon. Hopefully by the end of this year a lot of the current players achievements will build again and eclipse those who came before!
Mine for what its worth: 15: Girvan dempsey 14: hickey 13: BOD 12: mike gibson 11: geoghan 10: jack kyle 9: michael bradley 8: duggan 7: van der flier 6: omahoney 5: pauly 4: wj mcbride 3: tadgh furlong 2: keith wood 1: poppelwell
Im so happy to see Healy in here . Even this year all the talk in about Johnny sextons age and his last season. BUT Healy just in the background doing great work quietly as always...
JVF is in quite good form and has a very good work rate, but I’m sorry Sean O’Brien was an absolute beast. Great with ball in hand, off load game that is heads and tails above Josh’s, turnovers left and right. Very unlucky with injury but no way is van fee flier a better 7.
Some team that! In many positions the choices are obvious. If truly of all time Mike Gibson should be in there at 12. If limited to the professional era you could have Keenan at 15 if he continues to play as he has the last seasons. Similarly one could have Henshaw at 12 and either James Ryan or Donnacha O’Callaghan alongside Paul O’Connell.
Even given your decision to favour professional players, leaving out Slattery and Gibson is ridiculous. They'd both probably make an all time Lions team, let alone an Irish one. Also, if he stays injury free, it can't be long before Doris overtakes Heaslip as the greatest No8.
I would select the following. McNeil Geoghan O Driscoll Gibson Hickey Sexton Murray Ray McLoughlin Wood Furlong McBride O Connell Mahoney Slattery Duggan. onnell
Was ok with the team until you got to back line. Whilst I can understand you giving longevity a big say in your selections I can’t have Darcy, Earls or Kearney. My team would have to include Geoghan ( more exciting winger than Earls), Henshaw (better player than Darcy who never lived up to the hype) and Keenan (must be one of the best full backs I have ever seen)
Agree with you on Keenan. Complete footballer. Kearney could catch. That was it. Gibson for Darcy. And btw, you cant move Earlsie. He is the best individual attacking-defénsive player Ireland's ever seen. Amazing consistency at the highest level, for yonks. Really happy he is going to France. Born for the big moments. Im a Leinster man btw.
@@fredschmidt9705 “Kearney could catch” is about as misinformed a comment as I’ve ever seen on the game of rugby. You think he accidentally got 95 caps for Ireland, went on two Lions ties and is Ireland’s most decorated player of all time? You think it was picked for Leinster 219 times because he could catch? Cop on.
So with everyone available and at their peek for a World Cup final tomorrow while adjusting for the time they played in. I’d have the following changes to your team. Donnacha Ryan for WJMcB ( never saw him play) Ferris for POM (Fez was a freak) O’Brien for JvdF (very close call) Henshaw at 12, Geoghagan for earls on the wing. It too close for me to call on 15, RK produced one of the all time great performances in that lions game. But Jesus I spent a lot of years watching him run it up the guts of the first defender he could find with lads available outside him. Keenan has the full box of tricks
"Donnacha Ryan for WJMcB" ... you cant be serious. Donnacha Ryan wasn't even first choice for Ireland at his best never mind making a Greatest Ireland XV ever. McBride of Ireland and Colin Meads of NZ were the greatest locks of their generation. McBride did 5 Lions tours and captained the legendary unbeaten Lions tour of SA in the 70's. Based on his record alone, many would have him in a greatest World XV ever.
@@MickyBrownEye1 I know, we all know who he is. I get it. but I never saw him play so I don’t have him. The game has changed so much he was 6’3” he wouldn’t even be considered now as a 2nd row I just don’t see the point of comparing players from that generation. Donnacha Ryan is the most under-rated player since I can remember
@@briancurtis5796 Thats the problem with doing a 'Greatest of all Time' video. Most people never saw the greats of bygone years. Thats why you have to compare them with the best of their era. You are right; he was 6' 3" and 17st 12lbs which would barely get you into the back row these days, but that was big back in the day, and on ability he was head and shoulders above his contemporaries, and thats why he toured 5 times with the Lions. The Lions are the pinnacle of a rugby career. It says you are the best of the best, and to be picked for the test sides means another level again. Thats why you cant ignore players like McBride, Gibson, and Slattery. Each of them were the best of their generation. Not just in Ireland but in the whole world.
@@MickyBrownEye1 I completely agree with you and all his iconic moments were in a red shirt, he has more lions caps than ireland caps. I’m not denying his greatness in anyway. I’m not presenting my team as the definitive greats it’s my team based in what I’ve seen. Otherwise you’d have to include Tony o Reilly fergus slattery Jackie Kyle maybe Mike Gibson all of whom deserve inclusion based on their reputation and none of whom I’ve seen and can genuinely make a judgement on.
Lets see these modern players juggling a playing career with a full time job and then judge them when they cant train around the clock to beef up and sprint like gazelles around the field. Physics is is a great thing but it cant compete with talent. A professional Mike Gibson would be terrifying on the pitch - he had 69 caps for Ireland , in todays game that would be 200 !!
I don't know enough about pre 2000s Welsh players to give a fair assessment on who would be their best ever XV. Gareth Edwards and Barry John would probably be considered the best 9&10 pairing, beyond that I'd be picking players from 2000s onwards
I agree with your selection. Hooker and outside centre was tuff for me... but I think you got it right. Growing up Simon Geoghegan was a bit of a hero, I was always on the edge of my seat when he got the ball. After saying that I think your winger choice is valid. That selection would be an amazing team. Respect from a Welshman.
Agree with the 15 (but probably would have started SO'B as JVDF has only been world class for 3 years) but the bench is suspect. Porter has only been starting for 3 years and Ringrose hasn't been world class for large periods either. Would have O'Callaghan and Gibson on the bench
I know it doesn't do to take these things too seriously, it's all meaningless conjecture but it would have been better to swap McBride for James Ryan and call this the best team of the professional era. Way too much recency bias, I'm afraid. Let me mention a few names who would at least challenge these nominations: Nick Popplewell, Fergus Slattery, Willie Duggan, John O'Driscoll, Colin Patterson, Tony O'Reilly, Dennis Leamy, Brendan Mullin, Tom Grace, Jack Kyle and definitely Mike Gibson. Gibson played with distinction anywhere between 10 & 14, in the modern game I'd suggest he play flyhalf to let him run the game from that position. This would also allow him and O'Driscoll to play together.. In '71 Colin Meads, the All Blacks captain, credited Gibson with single-handedly disrupting the AB's attacking effort. He's got to be in Ireland's greatest XV somewhere.
sorry but O’Brien could never give opponents hell in both attack and defence the way POM does, he’s a top class grifter who can read the game superbly even at very tight moments he can spot where the opp’s are vulnerable & for me that’s why he’ll always be the master of the dark arts!
@@karlosdeevs so o Brien was moved to 7 when Wallace retired. Pom couldn't even get him out of the 6 jersey until o Brien literally changed position. SOB won European palyer of the year. He strolled into starting lions teams while pom grafted to make squads and got subbed off at half time for making zero physical impact on the game. He's a better jackler and the best back row lineout operator I've ever seen. He's also thrived the last two years by really developing his hands but make no mistake about it, he's part of an incredibly well balanced backrow where the strengths of others balance out his weaknesses. I love pom, he's only guilty of not being better than the best backrow player we've ever produced. One of the few players you never once heard MZ fans say was overrated. SOB was a total freak.
@@jeffrey89095 yh, agree Seanie was always no.1 at speed and bumping off players. For the 2nd half of an injury-wretched 2018 Pom was usurping him at 7. By the time Ireland beat the AB’s on home soil that November, Pete had finally reached his element whilst O’Brien was slowly disembarking the ship. But even if he accomplished being the favourite 7 (when not a 6) for Pom’s first 6 years, it was Pom who took the hard yards in finally earning it. He’s succeeded in so many areas where Seanie didn’t have the keys to, compared to Pete he was thrust in and never had to worry about anyone ahead of him given Wally’s sudden injury. For Pete after 6 yrs looking over shoulders, he’s now clocking on another 6 as the beating heart of the back-row. Sure Pom doesn’t have as many lions caps (yet) but not many can say they captained them for a first test outing..
@@karlosdeevs SOB peaked earlier and injuries ruined his 30s the only thing pom had was longevity and then o Brien went abroad for 3 season after two big injuries which is the only reason. At no stage of their careers if o brien was even half fit did pom get ahead of him. I respect pom taking the hard yards and he did, but o Brien didn't have to take hard yards to grind to a jersey because he was so good he just started all the time. That speaks to ability it wasn't some divine privilege. Leadership 100% pom has it in spades which is how he got that lions cap but he also got subbed at half time of that game for having no physical impact which isn't speculation that's what gatland said in his autobiography. It was also his only cap. And it's true if you actually look at his stats his dominant tackles and carrying ability is not world class or even great, poor at times but balanced by other great carriers we have. However his hands, lineout work and cleverness/shithousery has meant he's put himself in the right place at the right time to be the perfect element to balance that backrow. But he's our current third best backrow of that 3. It's not an argument Pete had to work harder, it's incredibly admirable but it's still about ability. Toner had to work incredibly hard to minimise his shortcomings to get the run he did in that Irish team. Doesn't mean hes better than POC who "strolled in" insofar as SOB did I'd say the same with o Callaghan who is probably the least talented but hardest grinder to ever make an Irish team, admirable but he's not better than POC, Ryan . Keeping in mind SOB had to grind himself to make that Leinster team with elms there and having to step into those shoes. By contract POM had an easier in to the Munster team did he not? I also wouldn't agree POM was "looking over his shoulder". Rather he's the guy other backrows had to look over their shoulder at, he has spent a lot of his career behind Ferris, stander, SOB (again until he moved to 7). He's shining now though and has adapted his game so so well and cleverly. It says a lot that in a career cut short by injury o Brien amassed 56 Irish caps and 5 B&I caps, whereas O Mahony who has nearly a century of caps still only has the 1. He's a great player and strolls into the second best Irish team of all time but he wasn't as good as SOB and was never considered better at any stage they played at the same time before SOB hit the mid 30s
@@sikaan983 He was more powerful but nowhere near the footballer. Heaslip was an absolute baller and went on two Lions tours. He won 3x Six Nations including a grand slam, 3x Heineken Cups and 3x leagues. He was nominated 2x as world player of the year and 4x European player of the year. Stander just did not have anywhere near the all round game that Heaslip did. And I say that as a fan of Stander and I’m not from either province involved.
@@Dreyno I always felt like we could depend on Heaslip to pull out some moment of individual brilliance when the rest of the forward pack weren't having much impact carrying the ball. I never got that with Stander.
@@spudmurphy278 Stander was as honest as the day is long. He’d carry all day into the teeth of the defence. But Heaslip could play a reverse inside pass or dummy a pass and carry 30m into open ground. He could truck it if needed too but there was so much more to his game.
Enjoyed the video but I think there is too much emphasis on who has the most caps. Ferris should be in instead of O'Mahony. Ferris at his peak is one of the best blindsides ever. Keenan is much better than Kearney.
It is very hard to compare modern day players to the greats of the past as the game became professional in the 90's. Modern players are trained and managed to the max on fitness and recovery and have many more opportunities to win caps. The players of the past went to work and turned up 2 days before a match and trained for a few hours. They would only have played a few international matches in any one year apart from Lions tours, so much more difficult to amass caps. My personal view would be that the past generations were better on field thinkers as it would have been more instinctive plays by them.
I agree. It’s difficult to compare players from 20 years ago, let alone those from the 1950s. The size, speed and resultant power of those playing the game today would see those older players seriously struggle to compete. Nostalgia is a nice feeling, but it can’t compete with physics.
That works both ways , lets see these modern players juggling a playing career with a full time job and then judge them when they cant train around the clock to beef up and sprint like gazelles around the field. Physics is is a great thing but it cant compete with talent. A professional Mike Gibson would be terrifying on the pitch - he had 69 caps for Ireland , in todays game that would be 200 !!
That clip of the 4 All Blacks bouncing off Tadgh Furlong is insane.. Also Jerry Flannery deserved a mention at hooker. He was an incredible player in his prime.
@@garthmcguigan2357 not only was he one of the greatest Irish players of all time, but one of the worlds greatest players of all time. 5 lions tours. What did Darcy have, one? And he was shockingly poor on it.
@@alanrobinson7891 in the end that‘s not down to Darce, more to do with with bad run of injuries to Lions‘ best players and the fact that Nz were at their zenit whilst the Lions‘ crop couldn’t gel and find the right footing..
I’m guessing that this ‘selector’ is a relatively young man and he should rename his selection. In no way could this be regarded as the greatest Irish team of all time. It’s simply a single generation selection with a couple of exceptions who could not be excluded. Cian Healy ahead of Ray McLoughlin - no way. Van der Flier ahead of Fergus Slattery - surely you jest. Both of those modern players are magnificent but not if the stature of the elder two. All an opinion of course.
😂 Teams always improve. Recent team Still got no further in the WC if they’re so good. You’ll be talking nostalgic bollox when you’re old enough. Saying this current team is the best ever.
@@johnmc3862 I watched the old team champ, we only become decent in 2018, we were a ranked 5-8 team consistently before that, if you genuinely think this is the perfect 15 and would even compare with the current 15 you’re deluded
WJMcB has a wee special place in all our hearts, I imagine people will talk about BOD, ROG and a few others in the same way when I'm an even older man, haha.
I think Sean O'brien had the highest peak of any forward, insane player in his prime.
Nah ferris had highest peak just was made of glass (similar to SOB i guess)
Surely not of any nation? SOB was a great player but he’s nowhere close to that level. Not even Ireland’s best 7
South African here. The loose trio is a tough one, a real tough one. Theres guys like david wallace, cj stander and the current active players coming through wich just show the great players the country has produced along the years. Look at the world class locks the current roster has, even nmr 9 has plenty to talk about. I love this team ive been cheering them on for more than a decade as my favorite team up north.
Fantastic comment, as an Irish man in Cape Town, best team this weekend (urc) and next and looking forward to a great world cup!
@@ronansimpson6807 stormers all the way lol!!!! Cherz buddy
I'd definitely give a shout out to Robbie Henshaw in the center. He's like the O'Mahony of the backs, an inspiring big game player who plays well even when Ireland lose.
D’Arcy vs England in 2004 alone is enough to include him. Tore the world champions asunder that day.
I'd have Henshaw in
Keith Wood's skillset was ahead of it's time
He's said in interviews that because of his size and gaining weight as he aged he played every position except lock. He was smart enough to hold onto the skills that would be useful. How often do you see a hooker sidestep in his own try area and then kick the ball downfield to win a penalty in 3 points?! I've never seen it since; he makes my all time XV.
Dan Sheehan may already be ahead of wood. If not - he will be soon
@@darraghobrien7110 He is good, Set piece is maybe on par? Hard to judge that without numbers. Running lines and pace probably exceed Wood but Wood had a better sidestep and a kick so he gets my vote. Very excited to see Sheehan grow though.
@jbmboy only Irish player to win the IRB award. Still number 1 for me
Paul Wallace was top class and runs Furlong very close .About 15 years back Irish front row was Claw,Wood ,Wallace and they were a very good trio .Recency bias is huge ,Ginger Mcloughlin was a lion like Wallace and deserves a mention .
Agree on Wallace ,great in 1997 Lions and Claw when switched to loosehead was a revelation
I Live in Australia and work with a lot of New Zelanders, The older Guys reckon Mike Gibson was one of the best players they ever saw.
Good list, but this cannot be considered the best irish XV of "All time" There is a bias towards more recent players. The following are missing of at least a mention:
Mike Gibson - generally considered in the pantheon of greatest centres, 12 BI lions caps and a hall of fame inductee.
David Wallace - 72 Ireland caps, 3 lions caps across two tours, driving force in Munster's two Heineken cup wins.
Simon Geoghan - At a time when Ireland were perennial whipping boys, he could tear teams apart on his own. Injured for the 97 lions tour, the management tried to keep a spot open for him until the last possible minute in case he recovered.
Jack Kyle - Captain of Irelands only grand slam until 2009, 6 lions caps and hall of fame inductee.
These are just the ones off the top of my head. Just my opinion.
Karl Mullin was captain of the grand slam team of 1948 team not Jack Kyle
Of course it shows a bias towards modern players; those old timers would have been torn apart playing today.
@@MKRM27 The genuinely great players are always capable of adapting to circumstances - that's why Mike Gibson makes this team.
@@MKRM27they would be far superior, if they had the same training, fitness benefits, nutrition etc, that's available today.
Fergus Slattery has to be in the team.
Father Stone level of delivery. Impressive.
Mike Gibson and Fergus Slattery have to be on this team!
D'Arcy ahead of Gibson no way
D'Arcy gets it for me . Seen them all play and think some people didn't realise how good D'Arcy was because he was beside BOD . But all great players
@@alcoyne3333333333333 Dricco was world class. That's a given. But Darcy on his inside made him untouchable at times.
Solid comment.
Mike Gibson, Tony ward Tony o'rielly
Can't be Ireland'd best team if Mike Gibson and Fergus Slattery are not even considered.It looks like it was picked late at night in the club bar.
Good pics. Keith Woods as captain. He was the guy that kicked off the modern Irish rugby 🏉
I would go for O’Connell
If it's "of all time", you have to consider all players, and for a start the players listed below may have been as good as, or greater than, the great Johnny Sexton .
You then need to take a similar approach to all of the other positions. Ireland's most talented ever no 8 may well have been Ken Goodall, but many fans today wouldn't even recognise his name.
Ollie Campbell.
Mike Gibson- though I'd select him at 12. (Do you know that Barry John nominated Mike, not Gareth Edwards, as the best player he played with?)
Jack Kyle.
Louis Magee.
Thanks great to see a good honest video about our own players 👍
With respect, how did you come to omitting Cameron Michael Gibson? I am a Leinster fan for almost 40 years and a big admirer of the D'Arcy - O'Driscoll combo BUT, Gordon D'Arcy is on the bench when it comes to where Mike Gibson plays. I would also have Andrew Trimble in the squad. One other name springs to mind - Ray MacLoughlin. One of the best tightheads to ever play - career cut short by injury.
Totally agree on Gibson Old Boy. You know yer onions.
I like your list. Though I'd shift Darcy for Gibson in a flash, for my choices. And one-dimensional Kearney has been totally userped by Keenan. '
The most complete FB Ireland has ever seen. And hes only just starting...
Mike Gibson is the most obvious omission here.
Caelen Dorris has the potential to match Heaslip or eclipse him imo
Super promising, really hope he's not reached his peak. Most players don't look that good so early on, and he's taken that world XV no8 shirt from Savea and Alldritt if you ask me.
He does, he's getting there quickly. He's beat NZ more than Heaslip.
@@Keeks749 Interesting, but I do not yet agree. I currently believe Savea and Alldritt are both well ahead of Dorris. Alldritt for his ball carrying and Savea for his awareness and creativity.
@@MKRM27What you say now? 😮
Love the truckloads of stats ya chuck in at every given opp, keep up the good bz!
Great video. Cheers
Hmm, would have to join the sceptics chorus questioning the choice of D'Arcy over Gibson. We are probably all well retired! Gibson was a fantastic fly-half before settling at centre; selected for 5 tours with the Lions, last international aged 36 ...not even a mention! Of his play in the greatest ever Lions back line in NZ in 1971, Colin Meads, the NZ captain, paid Gibson the highest compliment by saying: “Gibson’s presence in the Lions back-line was the most frustrating influence of all.”
Irish rugby fans old enough to remember the 1950s would tell you the greatest Irish player of all time was one Jack Kyle, who played fly half for Ireland and the Lions. Sadly there is very little footage available, so it's impossible to make comparisons with modern day players. The man deserves a mention at least, Tony Ward and Ollie Campbell too.
If you want to compare these older players to ones of today, I don’t think your comparisons will fair too well. They’d simply be too slow, too small and too weak to compete. It’s a struggle to compare players from 20 years ago, to those playing the game today - let alone those from the 50s.
@@MKRM27 These older players may have been smaller, weaker and slower, but they were amateurs who rarely trained (by comparison with their modern professional counterparts); what might they have achieved under modern conditions, with fitness coaches, dieticians etc?
@@MKRM27 Too small??? Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy are both considered small in that case. World Class talent is not predicated on size.
Thats my next 16 minutes sorted. Great list.
Mike Gibson is a huge omission. Gibson would be on many peoples shortlist of worlds greatest centres, while Darcy wasn't even a Lions first choice. The All Blacks were in awe of Gibson and named him player of the tour in 1971.
Also, long before World / European players of the year awards there were people like Fergus Slattery. Arguably the worlds best open side flanker of his generation. Can you honestly say that about van der Flier or O'Brien.
Think Pro/Am era is too hard to compare as players were completely different, both physically and the game itself. But These players could all have flourished in the professional era and were real class.
Phillip Matthews
Ciaran Fitzgerald
Simon Geoghegan
Ollie Campbell
Tony Ward
Philip Orr
Fergus Slattery
Willie Duggan
Brendan Mullin
I think that list of top players back then, defines why we were basically mediocre in daul days.
@@fredschmidt9705😅😅😅
Stephen Ferris had a career blighted by injury and cut short. But when he was fit Jesus christ the man was a beast! Deserved a mention imho and I'm a Munster fan BTW
Agree about Ferris and I'm a Munster fan. I also believe Dan Leavy was on his way to becoming the best in his position in the world.
1F was imperious when fit and firing. Problem for him was injuries at key times. Hendy is having the same problems and I think he will be superseded by Baird for this RWC.
I think receiving a nomination for world player of the year and actually winning it are very different. Though BOD was ripped off.
Greatest number 12 has to be mick Gibson but not denying how good Gordon D'Arcy was.
Dan Sheehan could be in this list in the next 2/3 years.
He's class, but very difficult to beat a hooker who won a world player of the year
You can't make a video like this and not mention mike Gibson, one of the greatest players ever to take the field, pro or amateur
O Briien Wallace have to start but would agree with the rest of the team
When I was young our coaches got Sean O'Brien to come and meet us and when they were introducing him I screamed Robbie henshaw
I would also think that in the back-row, honourable mentions could go to Ferguson Slattery and Mike Gibson in the centre
Not sure I agree on all 15, but every player today has the building blocks the players you have choosen built to thrive apon. Hopefully by the end of this year a lot of the current players achievements will build again and eclipse those who came before!
Mine for what its worth:
15: Girvan dempsey
14: hickey
13: BOD
12: mike gibson
11: geoghan
10: jack kyle
9: michael bradley
8: duggan
7: van der flier
6: omahoney
5: pauly
4: wj mcbride
3: tadgh furlong
2: keith wood
1: poppelwell
where tf is Johnny Sexton ?
Kieth wood was the man who
Got me interested in rugby in
The 90s, what a leader he was.
Is this a haiku?
Im so happy to see Healy in here . Even this year all the talk in about Johnny sextons age and his last season. BUT Healy just in the background doing great work quietly as always...
David Wallace at 7 has to be in
'Hugely overrated player. Shane Jennings was a far better 7.
No Mike Gibson (centre)?
JVF is in quite good form and has a very good work rate, but I’m sorry Sean O’Brien was an absolute beast. Great with ball in hand, off load game that is heads and tails above Josh’s, turnovers left and right. Very unlucky with injury but no way is van fee flier a better 7.
Tommy Bowe was fabulous.
Poor back row, Wallace and SOB would clean up against those loose forwards
Would have loved to have seen Ferris 6 Wallace 7 O'Brien 8
Great selection. Would be interested to see your thoughts on other nations.
Agreed!
Some team that! In many positions the choices are obvious. If truly of all time Mike Gibson should be in there at 12. If limited to the professional era you could have Keenan at 15 if he continues to play as he has the last seasons. Similarly one could have Henshaw at 12 and either James Ryan or Donnacha O’Callaghan alongside Paul O’Connell.
Stephen ferris
Very powerful skilful
Even given your decision to favour professional players, leaving out Slattery and Gibson is ridiculous. They'd both probably make an all time Lions team, let alone an Irish one. Also, if he stays injury free, it can't be long before Doris overtakes Heaslip as the greatest No8.
I would select the following.
McNeil
Geoghan
O Driscoll
Gibson
Hickey
Sexton
Murray
Ray McLoughlin
Wood
Furlong
McBride
O Connell
Mahoney
Slattery
Duggan.
onnell
Was ok with the team until you got to back line. Whilst I can understand you giving longevity a big say in your selections I can’t have Darcy, Earls or Kearney. My team would have to include Geoghan ( more exciting winger than Earls), Henshaw (better player than Darcy who never lived up to the hype) and Keenan (must be one of the best full backs I have ever seen)
Agree 1000%. I might include Kearney but he was only world class I would say later in his career.
@@johnmc3862Not at all. Kearney was class all through it. 2009 Lions tour he was fantastic. Most decorated player in Irish rugby history.
Agree with you on Keenan. Complete footballer. Kearney could catch. That was it.
Gibson for Darcy. And btw, you cant move Earlsie. He is the best individual attacking-defénsive player Ireland's ever seen.
Amazing consistency at the highest level, for yonks. Really happy he is going to France. Born for the big moments.
Im a Leinster man btw.
@@fredschmidt9705 “Kearney could catch” is about as misinformed a comment as I’ve ever seen on the game of rugby. You think he accidentally got 95 caps for Ireland, went on two Lions ties and is Ireland’s most decorated player of all time? You think it was picked for Leinster 219 times because he could catch? Cop on.
Best was a passenger on the bus ..
wood for now , but only just .. Dan Sheehan will take this position..
No Mike Gibson? No Fergus Slattery?
The 3 flank mentions must be absolutely fabulous to keep Fergus Slattery out?!
Great choices, the only one I would disagree with is earls. He is not really an out and out winger.
Whah?!
So with everyone available and at their peek for a World Cup final tomorrow while adjusting for the time they played in. I’d have the following changes to your team. Donnacha Ryan for WJMcB ( never saw him play) Ferris for POM (Fez was a freak) O’Brien for JvdF (very close call) Henshaw at 12, Geoghagan for earls on the wing. It too close for me to call on 15, RK produced one of the all time great performances in that lions game. But Jesus I spent a lot of years watching him run it up the guts of the first defender he could find with lads available outside him. Keenan has the full box of tricks
"Donnacha Ryan for WJMcB" ... you cant be serious. Donnacha Ryan wasn't even first choice for Ireland at his best never mind making a Greatest Ireland XV ever. McBride of Ireland and Colin Meads of NZ were the greatest locks of their generation. McBride did 5 Lions tours and captained the legendary unbeaten Lions tour of SA in the 70's. Based on his record alone, many would have him in a greatest World XV ever.
@@MickyBrownEye1 I know, we all know who he is. I get it. but I never saw him play so I don’t have him. The game has changed so much he was 6’3” he wouldn’t even be considered now as a 2nd row I just don’t see the point of comparing players from that generation. Donnacha Ryan is the most under-rated player since I can remember
@@briancurtis5796 Thats the problem with doing a 'Greatest of all Time' video. Most people never saw the greats of bygone years. Thats why you have to compare them with the best of their era. You are right; he was 6' 3" and 17st 12lbs which would barely get you into the back row these days, but that was big back in the day, and on ability he was head and shoulders above his contemporaries, and thats why he toured 5 times with the Lions. The Lions are the pinnacle of a rugby career. It says you are the best of the best, and to be picked for the test sides means another level again. Thats why you cant ignore players like McBride, Gibson, and Slattery. Each of them were the best of their generation. Not just in Ireland but in the whole world.
@@MickyBrownEye1 I completely agree with you and all his iconic moments were in a red shirt, he has more lions caps than ireland caps. I’m not denying his greatness in anyway. I’m not presenting my team as the definitive greats it’s my team based in what I’ve seen. Otherwise you’d have to include Tony o Reilly fergus slattery Jackie Kyle maybe Mike Gibson all of whom deserve inclusion based on their reputation and none of whom I’ve seen and can genuinely make a judgement on.
I'm guessing without watching, the bulk of the squad are from the last 8 years???
15 Keenan
14 Horgan
13 O Driscoll
12 Gibson
11 Geoghegan
10 Sexton
9 Murray
1 Popplewell
2 Wood
3 Furlong
4 Mc Bride
5 O'Connell
6 Slattery
7 O'Brien
8 Doris
Lets see these modern players juggling a playing career with a full time job and then judge them when they cant train around the clock to beef up and sprint like gazelles around the field. Physics is is a great thing but it cant compete with talent. A professional Mike Gibson would be terrifying on the pitch - he had 69 caps for Ireland , in todays game that would be 200 !!
Please could you do the same for the Wales???
I don't know enough about pre 2000s Welsh players to give a fair assessment on who would be their best ever XV.
Gareth Edwards and Barry John would probably be considered the best 9&10 pairing, beyond that I'd be picking players from 2000s onwards
@RelentlessRugby Thank you, JJ Williams was another great player. OK, thank you for the reply
@@RelentlessRugbyFrance?
I agree with your selection.
Hooker and outside centre was tuff for me... but I think you got it right. Growing up Simon Geoghegan was a bit of a hero, I was always on the edge of my seat when he got the ball. After saying that I think your winger choice is valid. That selection would be an amazing team. Respect from a Welshman.
People forget just how good Geoghagan really was. One of my favourite players ever.
@@davet6079 He had huge pace to burn. I remember praying for a good foot race between him and Ieuan Evans.
@@Rasperdan Ieuan was another class player
usually it is the best that you know of..which is ok as long as you realise that?
Agree with the 15 (but probably would have started SO'B as JVDF has only been world class for 3 years) but the bench is suspect. Porter has only been starting for 3 years and Ringrose hasn't been world class for large periods either. Would have O'Callaghan and Gibson on the bench
I know it doesn't do to take these things too seriously, it's all meaningless conjecture but it would have been better to swap McBride for James Ryan and call this the best team of the professional era. Way too much recency bias, I'm afraid. Let me mention a few names who would at least challenge these nominations: Nick Popplewell, Fergus Slattery, Willie Duggan, John O'Driscoll, Colin Patterson, Tony O'Reilly, Dennis Leamy, Brendan Mullin, Tom Grace, Jack Kyle and definitely Mike Gibson. Gibson played with distinction anywhere between 10 & 14, in the modern game I'd suggest he play flyhalf to let him run the game from that position. This would also allow him and O'Driscoll to play together.. In '71 Colin Meads, the All Blacks captain, credited Gibson with single-handedly disrupting the AB's attacking effort. He's got to be in Ireland's greatest XV somewhere.
Mike Gibson
The greatest Irish 15 are the men who smashed our All Blacks in a series in NZ.
No Mike Gibson ?
I think josh fan de flur could make the teem
Sould have done 23
What, no Mike Gibson ?
Mike gibson?
Connor O’Shea at 15?
Andrew Trimble
Denis Hickey?
Hickey was definitely better than those two wingers, as good as they were and Simon geoghan and they'd probably admit that themselves
SOB over o mahony and its not even remotely close
sorry but O’Brien could never give opponents hell in both attack and defence the way POM does, he’s a top class grifter who can read the game superbly even at very tight moments he can spot where the opp’s are vulnerable & for me that’s why he’ll always be the master of the dark arts!
@@karlosdeevs so o Brien was moved to 7 when Wallace retired. Pom couldn't even get him out of the 6 jersey until o Brien literally changed position. SOB won European palyer of the year. He strolled into starting lions teams while pom grafted to make squads and got subbed off at half time for making zero physical impact on the game.
He's a better jackler and the best back row lineout operator I've ever seen. He's also thrived the last two years by really developing his hands but make no mistake about it, he's part of an incredibly well balanced backrow where the strengths of others balance out his weaknesses.
I love pom, he's only guilty of not being better than the best backrow player we've ever produced. One of the few players you never once heard MZ fans say was overrated. SOB was a total freak.
@@jeffrey89095 yh, agree Seanie was always no.1 at speed and bumping off players. For the 2nd half of an injury-wretched 2018 Pom was usurping him at 7. By the time Ireland beat the AB’s on home soil that November, Pete had finally reached his element whilst O’Brien was slowly disembarking the ship. But even if he accomplished being the favourite 7 (when not a 6) for Pom’s first 6 years, it was Pom who took the hard yards in finally earning it. He’s succeeded in so many areas where Seanie didn’t have the keys to, compared to Pete he was thrust in and never had to worry about anyone ahead of him given Wally’s sudden injury. For Pete after 6 yrs looking over shoulders, he’s now clocking on another 6 as the beating heart of the back-row. Sure Pom doesn’t have as many lions caps (yet) but not many can say they captained them for a first test outing..
@@karlosdeevs SOB peaked earlier and injuries ruined his 30s the only thing pom had was longevity and then o Brien went abroad for 3 season after two big injuries which is the only reason. At no stage of their careers if o brien was even half fit did pom get ahead of him.
I respect pom taking the hard yards and he did, but o Brien didn't have to take hard yards to grind to a jersey because he was so good he just started all the time. That speaks to ability it wasn't some divine privilege.
Leadership 100% pom has it in spades which is how he got that lions cap but he also got subbed at half time of that game for having no physical impact which isn't speculation that's what gatland said in his autobiography. It was also his only cap. And it's true if you actually look at his stats his dominant tackles and carrying ability is not world class or even great, poor at times but balanced by other great carriers we have. However his hands, lineout work and cleverness/shithousery has meant he's put himself in the right place at the right time to be the perfect element to balance that backrow. But he's our current third best backrow of that 3.
It's not an argument Pete had to work harder, it's incredibly admirable but it's still about ability. Toner had to work incredibly hard to minimise his shortcomings to get the run he did in that Irish team. Doesn't mean hes better than POC who "strolled in" insofar as SOB did I'd say the same with o Callaghan who is probably the least talented but hardest grinder to ever make an Irish team, admirable but he's not better than POC, Ryan . Keeping in mind SOB had to grind himself to make that Leinster team with elms there and having to step into those shoes. By contract POM had an easier in to the Munster team did he not?
I also wouldn't agree POM was "looking over his shoulder". Rather he's the guy other backrows had to look over their shoulder at, he has spent a lot of his career behind Ferris, stander, SOB (again until he moved to 7).
He's shining now though and has adapted his game so so well and cleverly.
It says a lot that in a career cut short by injury o Brien amassed 56 Irish caps and 5 B&I caps, whereas O Mahony who has nearly a century of caps still only has the 1. He's a great player and strolls into the second best Irish team of all time but he wasn't as good as SOB and was never considered better at any stage they played at the same time before SOB hit the mid 30s
@@jeffrey89095 ok
Heaslip is the only outrage
Who would you have picked?
@@Dreyno Stander for me was a way more powerful player and had a way bigger impact on irish rugby
@@sikaan983 He was more powerful but nowhere near the footballer. Heaslip was an absolute baller and went on two Lions tours. He won 3x Six Nations including a grand slam, 3x Heineken Cups and 3x leagues. He was nominated 2x as world player of the year and 4x European player of the year.
Stander just did not have anywhere near the all round game that Heaslip did. And I say that as a fan of Stander and I’m not from either province involved.
@@Dreyno I always felt like we could depend on Heaslip to pull out some moment of individual brilliance when the rest of the forward pack weren't having much impact carrying the ball. I never got that with Stander.
@@spudmurphy278 Stander was as honest as the day is long. He’d carry all day into the teeth of the defence. But Heaslip could play a reverse inside pass or dummy a pass and carry 30m into open ground. He could truck it if needed too but there was so much more to his game.
Enjoyed the video but I think there is too much emphasis on who has the most caps. Ferris should be in instead of O'Mahony. Ferris at his peak is one of the best blindsides ever. Keenan is much better than Kearney.
It is very hard to compare modern day players to the greats of the past as the game became professional in the 90's. Modern players are trained and managed to the max on fitness and recovery and have many more opportunities to win caps. The players of the past went to work and turned up 2 days before a match and trained for a few hours. They would only have played a few international matches in any one year apart from Lions tours, so much more difficult to amass caps. My personal view would be that the past generations were better on field thinkers as it would have been more instinctive plays by them.
I agree. It’s difficult to compare players from 20 years ago, let alone those from the 1950s. The size, speed and resultant power of those playing the game today would see those older players seriously struggle to compete. Nostalgia is a nice feeling, but it can’t compete with physics.
That works both ways , lets see these modern players juggling a playing career with a full time job and then judge them when they cant train around the clock to beef up and sprint like gazelles around the field. Physics is is a great thing but it cant compete with talent. A professional Mike Gibson would be terrifying on the pitch - he had 69 caps for Ireland , in todays game that would be 200 !!
That clip of the 4 All Blacks bouncing off Tadgh Furlong is insane.. Also Jerry Flannery deserved a mention at hooker. He was an incredible player in his prime.
Why does he keep saying at time of making this vid.....it was oonly six days ago?
Hmm not many of the great irish players in the Barbarian side that beat NZ like Mike Gibson a great player
Geordan Murphy at 15.
Kearney very good in the air but far to soft running into the tackle.
I find it hard to argue with anything on this list. Shout out to CJ maybe, but otherwise I agree
You agree with it? That's crazy. You actually think D'arcy deserves his spot over Mike Gibson?
@@alanrobinson7891 fair point, it's just that Mike Gibson was a wee bit before my time. From what I've heard though he was amazing.
@@garthmcguigan2357 not only was he one of the greatest Irish players of all time, but one of the worlds greatest players of all time. 5 lions tours. What did Darcy have, one? And he was shockingly poor on it.
@@alanrobinson7891 in the end that‘s not down to Darce, more to do with with bad run of injuries to Lions‘ best players and the fact that Nz were at their zenit whilst the Lions‘ crop couldn’t gel and find the right footing..
I’m guessing that this ‘selector’ is a relatively young man and he should rename his selection. In no way could this be regarded as the greatest Irish team of all time. It’s simply a single generation selection with a couple of exceptions who could not be excluded. Cian Healy ahead of Ray McLoughlin - no way. Van der Flier ahead of Fergus Slattery - surely you jest. Both of those modern players are magnificent but not if the stature of the elder two. All an opinion of course.
.... and still can’t win a RWC 😂
Ah nostalgia bollocks, the 15 that played most recently at the World Cup would decimate this team, the fact you pink Kearney over Keenan is ridiculous
😂 Teams always improve. Recent team Still got no further in the WC if they’re so good. You’ll be talking nostalgic bollox when you’re old enough. Saying this current team is the best ever.
@@johnmc3862 I watched the old team champ, we only become decent in 2018, we were a ranked 5-8 team consistently before that, if you genuinely think this is the perfect 15 and would even compare with the current 15 you’re deluded
Van der Flier instead of SOB is a joke.
Conor Murray has also scored the most tries against NZ for IRL and the Lions(4).
Mate O’Brien not in as
your best open side come on and also you’ve had and currently have better 8s than Jamie
What a terrible list. So many legendary players left out in favour of modern players. I suggest alot more research is needed
Up until the early 20s mine is:
15. Kearney
14. Trimble
13. O‘Driscoll
12. D’arcy
11. Earls
10. Sexton
9. Murray
8. Heaslip
7. O‘Mahony
6. Stander
5. J. Ryan
4. O‘Connell
3. Furlong
2. Best
1. Healy
23. Ringrose
22. O‘Gara
21. Reddan/Stringer
20. O‘Brien
19. Henderson/Toner/D.Ryan
18. Ross
17. Porter/McGrath
16. Cronin
D'Arcy x O'Driscoll was easly one of the best center duo of all times
Geordan Murphy …????? Criminal not to have him in … murphy reminded me of our own Campo…!!!!
My 15 would be:
15: Keenan
14: Bowe
13: O'Driscoll
12: Henshaw
11. Hickie
10: Sexton
9: Murray
8: Doris
7: Van Der Flier
6: Sean O'Brien
5: O'Connell
4. McBride
3: Furlong
2: Sheehan
1: Healy
These 15 were all world class at there peak
WJMcB has a wee special place in all our hearts, I imagine people will talk about BOD, ROG and a few others in the same way when I'm an even older man, haha.