Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

As the clock counts down to kick-off time in this autumn’s Rugby World Cup, Welsh fans will start dreaming about the sight of Sam Warburton proudly holding aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy at Twickenham on Saturday, October 31.

But just where would Warren Gatland’s commander-in-chief and the likes of Gethin Jenkins, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts and Alun Wyn Jones stand among the pantheon of Rugby World Cup winners should the dream turn into reality after such a near miss in making a final showdown with the All Blacks four years ago?

We’ve held a selection meeting at WalesOnline HQ to bring you, in our opinion, the Rugby World Cup winners dream team from players privileged to have lifted the biggest prize in the Union game.

15: Percy Montgomery

Setting a string of milestones for the Springboks and his feat of 893 points in 102 Tests for South Africa, while not being their main goal-kicker at times,gives the former Newport Gwent Dragon the nod over compatriot Andre Joubert, Wallabies star Matt Burke and All Blacks ace Israel Dagg.

Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales beware, Australia 'hell-bent' on proving a point says Brisbane-based ex-Cardiff star

Images from Doha as Wales World Cup squad endure gruelling sessions in sweltering heat

14: John Kirwan

With man mountain Jonah Lomu never getting his shovel-like hands on the glittering prize, fellow All Black Kirwan was the logical choice with his power and pace lighting up the inaugural 1987 World Cup with one of the greatest tries in Test history against Italy in that competition.

England’s ‘Billy Whizz’ Jason Robinson, Springbok JP Pietersen and Wallaby Ben Tune were his closest challengers.

'I'm just desperate to play'...Ospreys South African lock de Kock Steenkamp opens up on eight-month injury hell

13: Jason Little

It was said Little and Tim Horan were joined at the sporting hip as both came through the Queensland ranks as teenagers to form a centre partnership that propelled the Wallabies to World Cup glory against England in 1991.

Two All Blacks were worthy of mentions in dispatches with 49-times capped Joe Stanley, New Zealand’s forerunner to Jamie Roberts and current playmaker Conrad Smith giving Little a run for his money.

12: Tim Horan

It’s impossible to break up the Little-Horan partnership and the latter was to go on and secure a second World Cup win eight years later at the Millennium Stadium when he was joined by Dan Herbert in midfield.

Horan was voted player of the tournament that year and the 80-times capped Wallaby has few suitors for his spot. New Zealand powerhouse Ma Nonu probably comes closest.

11: David Campese

The goose-stepping hitch-kicking ‘Campo’ would make an all-time greats XV let alone this line-up.

Voted player of the tournament in 1991 when beating England at Twickenham in the final and crossed the try-line six times in that campaign.

Bagged 315 points in 101 Tests and Campese’s stature in the game means jet-propelled Springboks star Bryan Habana is kicking his heels on the sidelines alongside the likes of Joe Roff and Chester Williams.

10: Jonny Wilkinson

The Herculean feat of England’s 2003 World Cup win Down Under cannot be overlooked and so can’t Wilkinson’s contribution in bringing the coveted piece of silverware back to the northern hemisphere.

The unerring place-kicker gave a drop-goal masterclass and ensured Martin Johnson’s juggernaut pack were constantly on the front foot.

His performances gives Wilkinson the vote (some might say controversially) over Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh and Stephen Larkham. Dan Carter would have been No.1 had he not missed the 2011 final through groin problems.

9: Joost van der Westhuizen

Another mighty tough call given the A-list of scrum-half candidates. The Springbok was the complete package with pace, power and precision his trademark.

Scored 38 tries in 89 Tests and was a member of the Springboks squad at the 1995, ‘99 and 2003 World Cups.

His prowess means 1987 World Cup winning captain David Kirk, 1991 Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones fellow Aussie George Gregan and Springbok Fourie du Preez are mentioned in despatches.

1: Os du Randt

Retired as the most capped forward in the history of the Springboks, though that record would go on to be surpassed by John Smit and Victor Matfield.

Perhaps best known for being flattened by Scott Gibbs in the Lions’ victorious 1997 tour of South Africa, Du Randt is one of a handful of players to win two World Cup winners medals the Trojan of the set-piece edges Steve McDowall, Tony Woodcock and Tony Daly to the No.1 shirt.

2: Sean Fitzpatrick

Only played in the 1987 World Cup campaign when regular hooker and skipper Andy Dalton was out injured but went on to carve out legendary status for the All Blacks playing 92 Tests and is widely regarded as one of the finest players to don the famous jersey.

Of those 92 Tests he skippered New Zealand 62 times and gets in ahead of Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns and Springboks front-row star John Smit

3: Owen Franks

What price on the All Blacks tighthead lifting a second World Cup winners medal at Twickenham this autumn having been part of the 2011 victorious team?

Though small in stature has a great scrummaging technique and gives the All Blacks plenty of mobility around the field. Pips two former Wallabies in Andrew Blades and Ewen McKenzie to the jersey as well as England star Phil Vickery.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

4: Martin Johnson

England’s totem during their 2003 World Cup win Down Under. His performance in the final against Australia was at such a monumental level, it led to former Wallabies captain, John Eales, to commend his display as ‘among the best ever by a lock forward’.

It gives former Lions captain Johnson the overwhelming vote though the likes of Bakkies Botha and Sam Whitelock were worthy contenders.

(Image: Action Images)

5: John Eales

A sporting legend in Australia – and they have a few to choose from – Eales was mobile, had fantastic handling ability and work rate and he even kicked goals, hence his enormous 173 international points.

He had a stunning tournament, particularly at such a tender age of 21, playing a pivotal role in Nick Farr-Jones’ Wallaby side that edged out England 12-9 in the 1991 final.

Eight years later he skippered the Wallabies to their second World Cup at the Millennium Stadium. Another no brainer beating the likes of Gary Whetton, Victor Matfield and Brad Thorn to the jersey.

6: Francois Pienaar

Cut one of the most iconic images in sport when Nelson Mandela, wearing a Springbok rugby jersey with Pienaar’s number, presented the William Webb Ellis Cup to the South African team captain to the delight of the 65,000 capacity crowd.

South Africa were seeded ninth in the tournament and not expected to dethrone Australia. But with Pienaar their driving force not only beat the Wallabies in the first round but New Zealand, Jonah Lomu and Co, in the final.

Plenty of worthy contenders here in Alan Whetton, Richard Hill, Schalk Burger, Jerome Kaino and Simon Poidevin.

7: Richie McCaw

McCaw is contemplating retiring from rugby following the World Cup in England. The 34-year-old flanker led the All Blacks to their second Webb Ellis trophy in 2011.

McCaw has played 139 Test matches for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2001, and is considered one of the all-time greats.

Captained the Kiwis for the 100th time against Wales last November the first to achieve 100 caps as skipper and beats another legendary New Zealand No.7 in Michael Jones to the spot.

Willie Ofahengaue, Juan Smith and Neil Back were brought up in the selection meeting.

8: Lawrence Dallaglio

Another potentially tricky choice but Dallaglio like Johnson helped provide the forward foundations to England’s 2003 World Cup success.

The former back-rower was a Red Rose icon and former skipper of his country and his contribution to the cause in 2003 just shades that of All Blacks enforcer and tough nut Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford back in 1987 and Springboks star Mark Andrews.

Kieran Read also came into the frame but most of his good work for the All Blacks has come after their 2011 World Cup win.