As the greatest rugby union tournament in the northern hemisphere, it’s no surprise that some of the best and most accomplished players in the history of the sport have played in the Six Nations. But, which player has made the most appearances?
From Six Nations legends like Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara, to Italy’s Sergio Parisse and Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones, here are the 10 most capped Six Nations players of all time.
10. Mike Gibson: 56 Caps
Our list starts with Mike Gibson, who made 56 Six Nations appearances for Ireland in the Six Nations. Interestingly, he’s tied with Gethin Jenkins, who also made 56 appearances for Wales. However, Gibson outranks Jenkins here because he started more matches (56 vs 38).
A talented number eight, Gibson was a real force for Ireland and he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011. He was Ireland’s leading appearance-maker in the Six Nations until 2012, when he was overtaken by Ronan O’Gara.
9. Conor Murray: 57 Caps
At number nine is Ireland scrum-half, Conor Murray who has achieved 57 caps for Ireland since his Six Nations debut in 2012.
Murray has been a vital member of the Ireland squad, contributing to Ireland’s title wins in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2023 and spurred his team on from the bench in 2024.
Regularly partnering with fellow Irish player Johnny Sexton, who sits above Murray in the most six Nations caps, they formed an unstoppable force that has led Ireland to many victories in the last decade.
8. Johnny Sexton: 60 Caps
At number eight is Irish superstar Johnny Sexton. As you may expect from Ireland’s top point scorer and one of the greatest fly-halves the sport has ever seen, Sexton enjoyed a glittering Six Nations career.
During his illustrious career, Sexton played in 60 Six Nations matches and he scored a total of 566 points – this figure also makes him the Championship’s top point scorer.
Sexton’s Six Nations achievements comprise four outright titles (2014, 2015, 2018 and 2023) and two Grand Slams (2018 and 2023).
7. Martín Castrogiovanni: 60 Caps
The first Italian player on this list is Martín Castrogiovanni. This tighthead prop was a giant of Italian rugby: he represented the national team 119 times between 2002 and 2016.
Like Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy, Castrogiovanni also made 60 appearances at the Six Nations. He earned his first cap at the 2003 tournament, played all of Italy’s matches in 2004 and made his 60th appearance in 2016.
For Italian fans, Castrogiovanni will be forever remembered for two Six Nations campaigns: 2008 and 2012. In 2008, he was Italy’s top try scorer with three tries. Four years later, he was instrumental in their 13-6 triumph over Scotland.
6. Ronan O’Gara: 63 Caps
The sixth-most capped Six Nations player is Ronan O’Gara, the legendary Irish fly-half. O’Gara’s Six Nations career spanned from 2000 to 2013, and during this time he achieved 63 caps.
An indispensable member of the Irish team, O’Gara single-handedly secured several of Ireland’s victories over the years. This included a particularly memorable match in 2007, when O’Gara scored all of Ireland’s points during their 19-18 win against Scotland. Three years later, he finished the competition with a 100% kicking record.
In 2009, O’Gara celebrated his greatest Six Nations. He was the tournament’s top point scorer with 51 points and his 78th-minute drop-goal against Wales in the final round of fixtures secured Ireland’s Grand Slam win. Although this was his only Championship Trophy, O’Gara also won four Triple Crowns (2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009).
5. Cian Healy: 64 Caps
Coming in at number five is Irish prop, Cian Healy. Healy was first called up to the Irish squad in 2008 but didn’t make his debut until the end of 2009.
Since his Six Nations debut against Italy in 2010, Healy has been an important part of the squad. In 2018, he played a pivotal role in Ireland’s Grand Slam win during the 2018 Six Nations Championship, appearing in four out of the five matches in the tournament.
Healy’s 100th appearance for Ireland came in the final game of the 2020 Six Nations against France. He capped the occasion by scoring a try.
4. Rory Best: 64 Caps
At number four is another Irishman: Rory Best. This Irish hooker earned 64 Six Nations caps, a figure that puts him on par with Cian Healy.
Best earned his first cap during the 2006 tournament. One year later, he scored his first Six Nations try during Ireland’s 19-9 victory over Wales. Then, in 2009, Best secured his first Grand Slam.
By his 64th appearance in 2019, Best boasted a spectacular Six Nations record. He reached his pinnacle on St Patrick’s Day in 2018, when he captained Ireland during their Grand Slam victory at Twickenham.
In addition to Grand Slams in 2009 and 2018, Best also won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.
3. Brian O’Driscoll: 65 Caps
Brian O’Driscoll is Ireland’s most-capped Six Nations player. During his illustrious career, he made 65 appearances.
One of the greatest rugby players of all time, O’Driscoll carved out an enviable Six Nations career. He was voted Player of the Tournament three times (2006, 2007 and 2009) and he set the record for the most tries (with 26).
With so many accolades, it’s hard to choose O’Driscoll’s greatest moments. However, 2000 and 2009 were two of his best years. His hat-trick at the 2000 tournament secured Ireland’s first win in Paris since 1972. Nine years later, he captained Ireland to their first Grand Slam since 1948.
2. Alun Wyn Jones: 67 Caps
Sitting at number two is Wales’ most-capped Six Nations player: the behemoth Alun Wyn Jones.
Jones appeared in all five Six Nations matches in 2007, despite only making his international debut less than a year earlier.
In 2017, Jones was named captain of the Welsh squad. Finally, in 2019, he steered the team to the Grand Slam. In the same year, he was named as the Player of the Tournament.
To date, Jones remains one of the most successful Six Nations players of all time. He won five titles (2008, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2021), three Grand Slams (2008, 2012 and 2019), and four Triple Crowns (2008, 2012, 2019 and 2021).
1. Sergio Parisse: 69 Caps
The top spot goes to Italy’s most-capped player: Sergio Parisse. Although Parisse never won the tournament – Italy are yet to claim the Championship Trophy – he has appeared in more Six Nations matches than any other player.
He may not have won the trophy but he’s enjoyed plenty of stellar moments. This includes 2012, when he captained Italy to their victory against Scotland. Following this, in 2013, Parisse piloted Italy to their 23-18 victory over France – their second ever win against Les Bleus. He also scored the Azzurri’s first try four minutes into the match.
