Leaders.

Leadership is one of the main pillars when it comes to a successful team which is why very few nations are successful without having incredible Test captains to lead them to glory.

Rugby writers Stuart Barnes and Stephen Jones recently sat down with the Times to list out their best captains from over the years, ranking their top ten, and they’re selection is controversial, to say the least.

The outspoken Jones, who has never been a fan of the All Blacks, has left the legendary Richie McCaw off his list, despite the fact the former openside led his country to back-to-back World Cups.

Barnes meanwhile has him as his number one Test captain with 2003 World Cup winner Martin Johnson in second. Jones has picked namesake and fellow Welshman Alun Wyn Jones as his number one captain.

Interestingly not one Irishman makes either list, with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell snubbed by both writers (even though Maro Itoje makes Barnes’ list). Check out the list below and let us know what you think

Stuart Barnes’ Top 10 Test Captains:

1. Richie McCaw (NZ)
2. Martin Johnson (England)
3. Jacques Fouroux (France)
4. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
5. Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ)
6. Jean-Pierre Rives (France)
7. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
8. Andrew Slack (Australia)
9. Agustín Pichot (Argentina),
10. Maro Itoje (England)

Stephen Jones’ Top 10 Test Captains:

1. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
2. John Dawes (Wales)
3. Martin Johnson (England)
4. Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ)
5. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
7. Agustín Pichot (Argentina)
8. John Eales (Australia)
9. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
10. Haralambie Dumitras (Romania)