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Some of rugby's greatest players have worn the number six and seven shirts, but who deserves to be called the greatest flanker of all time?
From World Cup winners to breakdown specialists, the position has produced some of the toughest and most talented players in the sport's history.
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Europe have all produced world-class flankers, with several changing the way the game is played.
We've ranked the 10 greatest flankers of all time, taking into account individual ability, international success, longevity and their influence on the sport.
There are some huge names missing out, including Siya Kolisi, Michael Hooper, Neil Back and Serge Betsen.
Here's our top 10, counting down to number one.
One of the finest openside flankers Wales have ever produced.
Warburton won 74 caps for his country and captained the British & Irish Lions on two tours.
He led the Lions to a series victory over Australia in 2013 before captaining them to a drawn series against New Zealand four years later.
Injuries forced him to retire at just 29, but his breakdown work and leadership were exceptional.
The unsung hero of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph.
Hill rarely grabbed the headlines, but his work rate, tackling and positional awareness made him almost impossible to replace.
He won 71 England caps and formed a formidable back row alongside Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio.
Sir Clive Woodward considered him one of the most important players in his World Cup-winning side.
A player who helped redefine the role of the modern openside flanker.
Smith won 111 caps for Australia and was among the most effective breakdown specialists of his generation.
His combination of speed, strength and handling made him a constant threat.
He also enjoyed an extraordinary club career, continuing to play professionally well into his late thirties.
Few players have ever been as dangerous over the ball as David Pocock.
The former Wallabies star was almost impossible to shift once he established himself at the breakdown.
He earned 78 international caps and helped Australia reach the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
His performance against South Africa in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final remains one of the great individual displays by an openside flanker.
One of the most physically dominant blindside flankers in rugby history.
Kaino played a crucial role in the All Blacks' back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015.
He earned 81 international caps and was renowned for his ferocious tackling and defensive presence.
His performances during the 2011 tournament were particularly impressive, providing the physical platform for New Zealand's success.
At his best, Schalk Burger was an absolute nightmare for opposition teams.
The powerful Springboks flanker combined brutal physicality with surprisingly good handling skills.
He won 86 caps, lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004.
Burger also made a remarkable comeback after battling a life-threatening illness in 2013.
His reputation was such that Richie McCaw and Dan Carter both singled him out as one of their toughest opponents.
One of the greatest defensive players rugby has ever seen.
Dusautoir earned 80 caps for France and became famous for his extraordinary tackling ability.
His performance against New Zealand in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final was remarkable, scoring France's only try in their narrow 8-7 defeat.
He was named World Rugby Player of the Year later that year.
Nicknamed the Dark Destroyer, Dusautoir was the heartbeat of the French pack for more than a decade.
Long before modern flankers became explosive athletes, Michael Jones was setting the standard.
The legendary All Black possessed exceptional pace, handling and defensive instincts.
He scored the opening try of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and helped New Zealand win the tournament.
Jones won 55 international caps and was widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted forwards of his generation.
His influence on the position can still be seen today.
For many rugby supporters, Richie McCaw will always be the greatest flanker of all time.
The former All Blacks captain won 148 international caps and led New Zealand to consecutive Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015.
He was named World Rugby Player of the Year three times and became one of the most successful captains in international rugby history.
His understanding of the breakdown was extraordinary, while his ability to influence referees and control matches became legendary.
McCaw's consistency over 14 years at the highest level may never be matched.
However, one Springboks star narrowly takes top spot in our ranking.
Pieter-Steph du Toit takes our number one spot as the greatest flanker in rugby history.
The Springboks powerhouse has everything you could want from a modern blindside flanker.
Standing 6ft 7in, Du Toit combines the size of a second-row forward with the mobility, work rate and defensive instincts of an elite back-rower.
He has played a crucial role in South Africa's recent dominance, winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
His individual achievements are just as impressive.
Du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year in both 2019 and 2024, becoming one of the few forwards to win the award twice.
His performance against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup final was extraordinary.
He made 28 tackles as South Africa secured a dramatic 12-11 victory in Paris, producing one of the finest defensive displays ever seen on rugby's biggest stage.
While McCaw has the edge in longevity and leadership, Du Toit's physical dominance, versatility and ability to deliver in the biggest matches earn him top spot.
For us, he's the complete modern flanker.
Several world-class players narrowly missed our top 10, including:
For another perspective, check out Henry Pollock's ranking of the five greatest flankers of all time.
Pieter-Steph du Toit takes our number one spot, but plenty of fans will argue Richie McCaw deserves to remain at the top.
Michael Jones, Schalk Burger and Thierry Dusautoir also have strong claims.
Who would be your number one, and which player have we ranked too low?
Play one of our RUCK rugby quizzes and put your knowledge to the test.
⏱️ Beat the clock, rack up the points and see where you rank on the leaderboard!
Can you claim the top spot?
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