Maggie Alphonsi made as big an impact in raising the profile of women’s rugby as she did when tackling opponents in matches. Within the game, the flanker had long been…

When Mel Berry captained Wales at the 2002 World Cup as a 20-year-old, there was clearly something a bit special about the youngster who former England international Sue Day calls…

Every success the women’s game in France has had over the past three decades has Nathalie Amiel’s handprint marked firmly all over it. Her remarkable 16-year career as a French…

A World Cup winner with the USA, Patty Jervey was among the group of first women’s players to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame and she is…

Welsh centre Bleddyn Williams

Major teams: Cardiff Country: Wales Test span: 1947-55 Wales caps: 22 (22 starts) Lions caps: 5 (5 starts) Test points: 24 (8T) That was just another chapter of Williams’s astounding…

Ireland's Mike Gibson representing the Lions

Major teams: North of Ireland, Cambridge University Country: Ireland Test span: 1964-79 Ireland caps: 69 (69 starts) Lions caps: 12 (11 starts) Test points: 112 (9T, 7C, 16P, 6DG) He…

Yannick Jauzion scores against New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup

Major teams: Colomiers, Toulouse
 

Country: France
 
Test span: 2003-11
 France caps: 73 (65 starts) 

Test points: 103 (20T, 1DG) The professional era has seen midfields crowded with mighty collisions between…

South Africa's Danie Gerber

Major teams: Eastern Province, Western Province Position: Centre Country: South Africa Test span: 1980-92 Test caps: 24 (24 starts) Test points: 82 (19T, 1C) From Eastern Province, Gerber emerged on…

Jeff Butterfield of England

Major teams: Northampton Country: England Test span: 1953-59 England caps: 28 (28 starts) Lions caps: 4 (4 starts) Test points: 27 (8T, 1DG) Jeff Butterfield was a stylish centre who…