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Top 10 players with the most mens international rugby caps
By Jack Tunney
Making it as an international player generally means you need to have something just that little bit special about you. Something that sets you apart from all those other great club players.
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To become an international great with over 100 caps takes something else entirely.
To be a step above all these other incredible players you need a certain drive, a tenacity to achieve what is truly great.
The list we have below celebrates those who have put their bodies on the line for their country time, and time again:
1) Alun Wyn Jones – 162
First capped for the Welsh national team back in 2005, Alun Wyn Jones has become a true talisman for the men in red.
Standing at 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) the inspirational lock forward has been on 4 British & Irish Lions tours, and to this day remains as indestructible as ever.
2) Richie McCaw – 148
Often talked about as the greatest player of all time, Richie McCaw made his test debut for the All Blacks in 2001. His incredible career saw him win the Rugby World Cup twice, and the World Rugby player of the year title a record 3 times before retiring for club and country in 2015.
3) Sergio Parisse – 142
Italy’s greatest ever player was a stalwart for his national side, playing for 17 long years before hanging up his jersey in 2019.
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Still playing for Toulon in the French league, it was rumoured that Sergio Parisse would return to play one final game for Italy in the six nations to officially retire in front of the Azzurri fans. This so far has never come to fruition, however.
4) Brian O’Driscoll – 141
Bit of a legend in the emerald parts, Brian O’Driscoll is very much thought of as the greatest Ireland player to have ever played the game.
For years he was known as the best centre in the world and proved this in a magnificent 15-year career for Ireland and Leinster, finally retiring in 2015.
5) George Gregan – 139
The most capped ever Australian, George Gregan was an immensely talented scrum-half. He played a huge part in Australia winning the 1999 world cup, and is often thought of as one of the greatest scrum-halves the world has seen.
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Alongside fly-half Stephen Larkham, he holds the world record for half back partnership appearances with 79. All this was achieved before retiring from international rugby in 2007 after 13 years at the very top.
6) Gethin Jenkins – 134
Mr Wales through and through, Gethin Jenkins put his sizeable frame through 14 years worth of international rugby.
Appearing at three British and Irish Lions tours, the versatile prop was well known as a ‘new breed of prop’ with an incredible turnover ability, fitness, and speed.
7/8) Kevin Mealamu and Sam Whitelock – 132
Both players in their careers can proudly show off not just one, but two Rugby World Cup winners medals each for the All Blacks.
Keven Mealamu retired in 2015 after 13 years, whilst Sam Whitelock continues to put on the black of New Zealand as he reaches his 12th year in international rugby.
9) Ronan O’Gara – 130
Now the head coach of La Rochelle, Ronan O’Gara was one of the most intelligent rugby players on the planet.
Fly-half is probably the most complicated and intense position on the field, but O’Gara was able to read the game like so few others. It was this incredible game management that kept him without serious opposition for the shirt for so many years.
After 13 years and 2 British and Irish Lions tours, O’Gara finally retired from rugby in 2013.
10) Stephen Moore – 129
A slightly shorter international career than others on this list, Stephen Moore still wore the green and gold of Australia for 12 years.
A hooker by trade, he played for three domestic Australian sides before eventually retiring from club and country in 2017.
Im biased cause im irish but everything says odriscoll is no.1