Nigel Owens has named the five best captains he ever refereed, with All Blacks legend Richie McCaw surprisingly missing out on top spot.

The Welshman took charge of 100 Test matches, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, and dealt with some of rugby's biggest characters.

Some could charm a referee. Others could argue for 80 minutes without drawing breath.

But which captains earned his respect?

In a previous ranking reported by RUCK, Owens picked his five favourites, excluding Welsh players because he never refereed them at Test level.

Here's his selection, complete with our own take on each rugby legend.

5. Chris Robshaw (England)

The man who carried England's hopes, and usually the blame.

Being England captain is never easy. Being England captain when your country crashes out of its own World Cup is another matter entirely.

Robshaw took plenty of stick, particularly after that infamous decision to kick for the corner against Wales in 2015.

But beneath the criticism was a tireless flanker who never stopped putting his body on the line.

He won 66 England caps and captained his country 43 times.

Owens' verdict:

"Some people will be surprised at this one to start off."

The former referee praised Robshaw's commitment during a difficult period for England, highlighting how he encouraged teammates and conducted himself away from the pitch.

4. Jean de Villiers (South Africa)

A gentleman off the pitch. An absolute nightmare on it.

De Villiers was one of those rare players who could make international rugby look almost effortless.

Elegant with ball in hand, brutally effective in defence and blessed with the sort of rugby brain most players would happily swap a kidney for.

The Springbok centre earned 109 Test caps and was part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning squad.

He also had a reputation for treating referees with respect.

Owens' verdict:

"He was not only a great rugby player but also a great leader and a great man."

Owens added that De Villiers consistently impressed him whenever their paths crossed on the field.

3. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

The only man who could live permanently offside and still get invited to the referee's Christmas party.

Well, that's what opposition fans would have you believe.

McCaw was rugby's ultimate winner. Two World Cups, 148 Test caps and enough silverware to open his own museum.

He understood the breakdown better than almost anyone in history and had an extraordinary ability to influence matches.

The All Blacks captain was also a master at speaking to referees. Calm, clever and always seemingly one step ahead.

Owens' verdict:

"He's right up on any list of rugby's greatest players."

However, what really impressed Owens wasn't McCaw's extraordinary winning record.

It was the way he conducted himself when New Zealand lost.

And considering how rarely that happened, those moments clearly left an impression.

2. Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

One could talk his way out of trouble. The other looked like he might eat the trouble.

Ireland really did have the perfect double act.

O'Driscoll was the smooth operator. A midfield genius who could make a referee feel like they were having a perfectly reasonable conversation.

O'Connell was slightly different.

The giant Munster lock looked like he'd been built in a factory specialising in angry second-rows.

He was fiercely competitive, utterly relentless and capable of delivering a team talk that could make the dressing-room walls shake.

Yet both commanded enormous respect.

Owens' verdict:

"I'm classing this as a joint-ticket," Owens explained.

He recalled that O'Driscoll would direct him towards O'Connell whenever an issue involved Ireland's forwards.

"I found them excellent to deal with."

A sensible arrangement. Nobody wanted an unnecessary argument with Paul O'Connell.

1. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

The quiet French assassin who made tackling look like a personal vendetta.

And the winner is...

Not Richie McCaw. Not Brian O'Driscoll. Not even the terrifying Paul O'Connell.

It's Thierry Dusautoir.

The former France captain was one of the finest defensive players of his generation.

His performance against New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final remains the stuff of legend, with the flanker credited with an astonishing 38 tackles.

Four years later, he captained France to the World Cup final and scored a try against the All Blacks in a heartbreaking 8-7 defeat.

He didn't need to shout, scream or wave his arms around.

He simply led by example.

Owens' verdict:

"My choice as the best skipper I encountered may raise a few eyebrows, but what a captain Dusautoir was."

Owens praised the Frenchman's courage, understanding of the game and willingness to put his body on the line.

"If I'd have to pick one, I'd go for Thierry Dusautoir."

And in a separate interview with Rugby World, Owens described the Frenchman as an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to referee.

Perhaps the greatest compliment came from a conversation between the pair.

Owens once apologised to Dusautoir for his limited French.

The captain told him that having the best referee mattered far more than speaking the same language.

Classy on the pitch. Classy off it.

And according to one of rugby's greatest referees, the best captain of the lot.

Have your say

Did Nigel Owens get it right, or should Richie McCaw have topped the list?