Four Guinness Six Nations legends have been named in World Rugby’s Team of the Decade, with all-time top try-scorer Brian O’Driscoll leading the way.
O’Driscoll won his second Championship title in his last Test match for Ireland, as the Men in Green beat France in Round 5 to lift the 2014 crown.
With 26, O’Driscoll is the Championship’s all-time record try-scorer, while he also toured with The British & Irish Lions in 2013.
His fellow Ireland international Conor Murray also makes the team, with the scrum-half featuring in three Guinness Six Nations victories – including the memorable 2018 Grand Slam.
Murray has formed a devastating half-back partnership with Johnny Sexton since making his Championship bow in 2012 and started every match in title-winning campaigns of 2014, 2015 and 2018.
The pair are joined in the team by Italy legend Sergio Parisse, who is named at No.8.
Parisse is the Championship’s record appearance-maker, featuring in 69 Six Nations matches and captained Italy between 2008-2019.
Wales’ George North makes up the quartet after a brilliant decade on the wing that has also seen him win three Championship titles.
North made his Six Nations debut in 2011 and starred in Wales’ 2012 and 2013 Championship wins, scoring two tries in the process.
He also scored two tries in their 2019 Grand Slam success and currently sits fourth on the all-time list of top Six Nations try-scorers with 20.
“The rugby heroes featured in the ceremony and all the others that provided outstanding service during the pandemic are an inspiration to us all,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.
“I would like to congratulate all tonight’s recipients for their outstanding contribution to our game over the last decade, and for some of them, for many years to come.”
Men’s team of the decade: Tendai Mtawarira (RSA), Bismarck du Plessis (RSA), Owen Franks (NZL), Brodie Retallick (NZL), Sam Whitelock (NZL), David Pocock (AUS), Richie McCaw (NZL), Sergio Parisse (ITA), Conor Murray (IRE), Dan Carter (NZL), Bryan Habana (RSA), Ma’a Nonu (NZL), Brian O’Driscoll (IRE), George North (WAL), Ben Smith (NZL)
