Former Scotland international Jim Hamilton has named the three toughest second-rows he ever faced, with Springbok enforcer Bakkies Botha a surprise omission.

Hamilton, who won 63 caps for Scotland, came up against some of rugby's biggest names during his career.

And when asked to pick the three hardest locks he faced, the former Gloucester and Saracens man had little trouble making his choices.

There was room for an England World Cup winner, an Irish legend and an All Blacks powerhouse.

But no place for Botha, a man who built his reputation on making life miserable for opposition forwards.

Jim Hamilton's three toughest second-rows

1. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

O'Connell topped Hamilton's list, and the former Scotland lock had the scar to prove why.

"I would say Paul O'Connell's one," Hamilton explained.

"Naturally, unassumingly, fucking hard."

He then recalled one painful encounter with the Munster legend.

"Elbowed me in the cheek, broke my cheekbone, didn't flinch, carried on playing.

"Still got the scar. And I love it. It's my favourite scar because Paul O'Connell did that."

Not many players would look back fondly on a broken cheekbone. Hamilton clearly sees things differently.

2. Martin Johnson (England)

Next came England's 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning captain, Martin Johnson.

Hamilton needed just a few words to explain his choice.

"Number two, Jonno. Just hard. Just like an easy hard."

Johnson was feared for his physical edge throughout his career.

The Leicester Tigers legend captained England to World Cup glory in 2003 and remains one of the game's most iconic forwards.

3. Brad Thorn (New Zealand)

Hamilton completed his top three with former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn.

"Third, Brad Thorn. Different hard. Durable. Ripped to smithereens as well. Rugby league background."

Thorn enjoyed a remarkable career across both rugby codes.

He won the 2011 Rugby World Cup with New Zealand and also enjoyed major success at club level.

His rugby league background and huge physical presence made him a nightmare opponent.

Bakkies Botha misses out

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the absence of South Africa legend Bakkies Botha.

The former Springbok won 85 Test caps and helped South Africa lift the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

He also formed one of rugby's most feared second-row partnerships alongside Victor Matfield.

Yet Hamilton was clear when explaining his choices.

"So they'd be my top three. I wouldn't put Bakkies in the top three."

There was no lengthy explanation. Botha simply didn't make the cut.

Would Hamilton rank himself?

The conversation then took a lighter turn when Hamilton was asked whether he would include himself among the toughest locks.

His answer was immediate.

"No."

When pushed on whether he would make the top four, however, he changed his tune.

"For a fight, yeah, I would."

He then joked about how he would fare against his former opponents today.

"I'd take Jonno now. I don't know if I'd take Paulie. He's still in good shape."