England rugby greats Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson have opened up about the most formidable players they faced during their legendary careers.
The 2003 World Cup-winning duo, alongside three of their iconic teammates from that famous Sydney triumph, shared their toughest encounters. Spoiler alert: some huge names missed out!
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Martin Johnson: The Beast that was Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
When Johnson talks about rugby titans, Jonah Lomu tops his list. The towering All Black could change the game single-handedly with his sheer power and speed.
JOHNSON SAID:
“A guy like Jonah Lomu could do things that nobody could do and change games. Nobody else on the field would have scored that try, and they went on to win the game. But even he needed his teammates… sometimes he didn’t.”
Phil Vickery: Going Head-to-Head with Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Richie McCaw is a name every rugby fan knows. Not only did he lift the 2011 World Cup on home soil, but he cemented his status by claiming the trophy again in 2015—becoming a two-time legend.
VICKERY SAID:
“Played against him a few times for England. We spent our whole week just preparing to play against him, let alone the other guys. I wish I had the chance to play with him.”
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2016, McCaw was awarded New Zealand’s highest honor, the Order of New Zealand. Not bad for a flanker!
Lawrence Dallaglio: The Breakdown Menace – George Smith (Australia)
George Smith was a thorn in the side of many teams, and Dallaglio knows this all too well. Smith terrorized opponents from the breakdown with unmatched skill.
DALLAGLIO SAID:
“The pioneering, definitive breakdown specialist in the professional era who combined dexterity and ferocity to slow down and steal opposition ball. He had good hands, could kick, and his longevity was incredible.”
Jason Robinson: The Force of Nature – Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Jonah Lomu returns to the list, with England speedster Jason Robinson recounting how the colossal winger redefined the game.
ROBINSON SAID:
“He didn’t just traumatize players, he traumatized teams. He was about 18 stone, could run as fast as any winger, and had a sidestep.”
Jonny Wilkinson: The Crafty Christophe Dominici (France)
France’s Christophe Dominici was known for his flair and game-changing moments. For Wilkinson, Dominici’s unpredictability made him a nightmare on the pitch.
WILKINSON SAID:
“His opportunism, his flair, his game reading, his sheer explosivity to really change a game is something that sticks in my memory.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Dominici starred in three World Cups for France, scoring eight tries before his retirement in 2008.
Richard Hill: Facing the Breakdown Wizard – George Smith (Australia)
Richard Hill echoes Dallaglio’s sentiments on George Smith, recalling their intense clashes at the breakdown.
HILL SAID:
“I had some pretty good tussles with George Smith. His strength was over the ball. Every time we found a weakness, to his credit, he sorted it out soon afterwards.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Hill was the only player Sir Clive Woodward never dropped during his England reign—a testament to his consistency!
What England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup Heroes Look Like Today – Some Have Undergone Major Transformations
Sir Clive Woodward’s England lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first – and so far only – time in 2003, after a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal in extra time.
Woodward’s side are still the only northern hemisphere side to win the World Cup, with the other nine tournaments won by South Africa (four), New Zealand (three) and Australia (two).
In a video posted by England Rugby’s Instagram account, Wilkinson – who scored the all important drop goal 28 seconds from time – said: ‘It’s great being back with all the guys from the squad 20 years on.
‘It’s great to be able to see everyone, and to get a feel of what everyone’s been up to, but also to I guess get a feel for why we were able to do what we did 20 years ago, because it still lives on in everyone.’
Take a look at how some of the key players look now:
Phil Vickery
A former Gloucester and London Wasps prop, Phil Vickery called time on his career at the end of the 2010 Premiership season. The two-time British & Irish Lion was a revered opponent across the world, and has since started a successful clothing brand ‘Raging Bull’, with his on-field nickname. Vickery was forced into retirement due to a series of neck injuries, and in 2012 he joined Worcester Warriors as their Scrum Coach.
Vickery has also tried his hand at sports broadcasting, as he was apart of the commentary team for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. His on-screen appearances have also been witnessed across a variety of TV shows, including ‘Celebrity MasterChef’, which he won in 2011. An eternal fan favourite at Kingsholm Stadium, Vickery was appointed the title of Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 2015.
Jonny Wilkinson
Renowned for his iconic drop-goal that secured victory against Australia in the 2003 final, Wilkinson transitioned into a coaching role with Toulon, focusing on kicking and skills development following his retirement. He also now works as a pundit for ITV Sport during Rugby World Cup’s and the Six Nations.
Will Greenwood
Greenwood continued to shine on the international stage following the 2003 glory, and went on to represent the British & Irish Lions for their 2005 tour to New Zealand. He ended his career at Harlequins in 2006, and soon gave his experienced views through analysis and punditry. Greenwood co-hosted the ‘School of Hard Knocks’ TV series with former Wales international Scott Quinnell, and was an on-screen analyst for ITV as England reached the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Will has also explored opportunities away from rugby, and is the current Chief Customer Officer for data and software company Afiniti’s London office. Greenwood’s family was struck with tragedy, after his son Freddie died just 45 minutes after being born. The former England centre underwent an inspirational walk to the North Pole in memory of his son, and helped to raise over £750,000 for Borne’s research. Greenwood is a patron of Borne, who are a medical research charity that work with cases of premature birth. He is also a patron of Child Bereavement UK, which is a charity that support parents who have lost a child.
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