Top 5 England Rugby Teams of All Time

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour is fast approaching. The Lions haven’t won a series since 2017, but they are clear favourites with the bookmakers for the upcoming clashes against Australia.

Series 2025 Winner

The Lions

2/5

Draw

25/1

Australia

2/1

The Greatest England Rugby Union Teams in History

As the anticipation builds ahead of the next big tournament, we look back at the most iconic England national sides – their titles, legendary players, and the controversies that defined them.

5. England 1980 – Grand Slam Pioneers

Key Players: Bill Beaumont (captain), Clive Woodward, Fran Cotton, Peter Wheeler

Tournament: 1980 Five Nations Championship

Result: Winners (Grand Slam)

This team ended a 23-year wait for a Grand Slam and restored pride to English rugby. Under inspirational captain Bill Beaumont, England dominated the 1980 Five Nations and went unbeaten. It was a landmark year and set the foundations for the professional attitude that would later define English rugby in the 1990s and beyond.

4. England 2016 – Grand Slam Winners

Key Players: Dylan Hartley (captain), Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola, George Kruis, George Ford

Tournament: 2016 Six Nations Championship

Result: Winners (Grand Slam)

After a disappointing 2015 World Cup campaign, England bounced back in spectacular fashion under new coach Eddie Jones. They won the Six Nations with a Grand Slam—their first since 2003—and followed it up with an unbeaten autumn, defeating Australia 3–0 away. It marked the start of a highly successful run that re-established England among the elite.

Captain Dylan Hartley had returned from a ban for foul play, prompting criticism. Jones backed him fiercely, calling him a “leader warriors follow.”

3. England 2019 – World Cup Finalists

Key Players: Owen Farrell (captain), Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi

Tournament: 2019 Rugby World Cup (Japan)

Result: Runners-up

Coached by Eddie Jones, this youthful and dynamic England squad produced one of the greatest performances in World Cup history by defeating reigning champions New Zealand 19–7 in the semi-final. England formed a V shape, with Farrell smirking at the New Zealanders. They were later fined for crossing the halfway line, but the psychological edge was won. Eddie Jones later said:

Though they fell short against South Africa in the final (32–12), their intensity, skill, and cohesion made them one of the most admired teams globally.

2. England 1991 – World Cup Finalists

Key Players: Will Carling (captain), Rory Underwood, Jeremy Guscott, Dean Richards, Brian Moore

Tournament: 1991 Rugby World Cup (hosted in part by England)

Result: Runners-up

England's class of 1991 reached the Rugby World Cup final for the first time, showcasing a well-drilled and disciplined side under coach Geoff Cooke. Though they lost to a phenomenal Australian side (12–6), this team marked the beginning of a new era for English rugby and was instrumental in raising the sport’s profile in the country.

1. England 2003 – Rugby World Cup Champions

Key Players: Martin Johnson (captain), Jonny Wilkinson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson, Richard Hill

Tournament: 2003 Rugby World Cup (Australia)

Result: Winners

This team is, without doubt, the greatest England rugby team of all time. Under the leadership of Clive Woodward and captain Martin Johnson, England became the first—and so far only—Northern Hemisphere team to win the Rugby World Cup. Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal in the final minute of extra time secured a dramatic 20–17 win over hosts Australia in the final. The squad combined power, tactical brilliance, and experience, dominating world rugby throughout 2002–2003.

Several Australians accused England of “boring rugby,” to which Martin Johnson famously replied: