Century's best: Rugby player

Mike Gibson (Ireland) - Cliff Morgan used the words "genius of the man" referring to Gibson's involvement in a passage of play during the famous 1973 New Zealand-Barbarians match. Few would accuse him of exaggeration. The Ulster-man won a record number of caps for Ireland (69) and took part in five Lions tours. History is littered with players who had legendary status within their own hemisphere, but very few Northern Hemisphere players can claim the reverence with which Gibson is held in New Zealand. His performances for the Lions on the record breaking 1971 tour are legendary south of the equator.

George Nepia (New Zealand) - A member of the New Zealand `Invincibles' on the 1924-'25 tour of Britain, Ireland and France, Nepia was simply outstanding. The 19-year-old full back played in each of the 30 games, plus two on the way home in Canada. He won lavish praise for his faultless displays of kicking, tackling and fielding high ball and was named as one of the five players of the year in the Wisden Rugby Almanac. He was not eligible for the South African tour in 1928 because of his Maori blood and played only two games in Australia the following year because of injury. He took part in four tests against the Lions in 1930, before switching codes and playing rugby league in England.

John Eales (Australia) - The modern day successor to South African legend Frik du Preez. "Nobody", a sobriquet coined by his team-mates because "nobody is perfect", captained Australia to their recent World Cup triumph and was a member of the team which won the competition under Bob Dwyer in 1991. He was recently awarded the Order of Australia for his services to rugby and the wider community. He has captained his country on 36 occasions. A brilliant line-out jumper, a fine athlete, a World Cup winning captain and a high quality place-kicker at international level: arguably the best tight five player the sport has known.

Gareth Edwards (Wales) - It is no coincidence that the great period in Welsh rugby - 1966 to 1978 - coincided with the playing career of Edwards. He was an amalgam of sprinter, gymnast, superb passer, wonderful reader of the game, and a brilliant competitor. The defining moment in his career, in an individual context, came in the stunning try he scored for the Barbarians in the 1973 game against New Zealand. It is a tribute to his fitness that between his debut in 1967 and his retirement in 1978 Wales played in 53 games and he appeared in all of them. Toured three times with the Lions, including the 1971 success over New Zealand and the 1974 series win over South Africa.

Serge Blanco (France) - Rugby union's greatest ever attacking full back won a staggering 91 caps during a career that spanned 11 years (1980-1991). Blanco set a French record of 38 tries during that time. His ability and willingness to counter-attack from anywhere - occasionally from behind his own line - enthralled spectators, making him the player of his generation. He scored the winning try against Australia in a classic World Cup semi-final in 1987. A penchant for smoking (40 a day) and his aversion to training simply added to his mystique.

Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) - The most capped New Zealander of all time with 92 caps, in which the former Auckland hooker scored 20 tries - he played in 63 consecutive internationals at one stage. He made his debut at the 1987 World Cup, deputising for the injured Andy Dalton, and retired in 1997 with a knee injury. His durability, captaincy, ability and manipulation of referees made him the most imposing of figures.