sport news Owen Farrell is the record points scorer, Will Carling is their most successful ... trends now

Rugby has always been a key pillar of England's sporting landscape. From Martin Johnson to Fran Cotton and Jonny Wilkinson to Owen Farrell, the country has produced some true greats of the game.

But as the nation celebrates Saint George's Day, who tops the list as the best player ever to come from England?

Here, Mail Sport's ALEX BYWATER dons his hard hat and ranks his top 10 England male rugby stars of all time…

Phil Vickery pushed the man they call 'Fun Bus' very hard for a spot on this list but Leonard kicks us off for his extraordinary longevity in the front row. 

From his debut in 1990 until his last England international in 2004, Leonard propped up the England scrum with aplomb and remains the second most capped men's player in the country's history. Only Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs is ahead of him.

England's youngest ever captain at the age of 22 in 1988, Carling led his country for 59 Tests, winning 44 of them. He is the longest serving and most successful skipper in England's history. He ended his Test career with 72 caps. 

His leadership qualities ensured England dominated what was then the Five Nations in the first half of the 1990's. Carling's side won Grand Slams in 1991 and 1992 and again in 1995. 

He led England to the final of the 1991 World Cup. The Harlequins centre was selected for the 1993 Lions Tour and played in one Test.

Robinson's move from rugby league to union is one of just a handful of successful cross-code switches. His electric speed and dazzling footwork quickly made him a firm favourite with England fans and he went on to become one of the country's key men in their run to winning the 2003 World Cup. 

Robinson scored England's only try in their final win over Australia that year and went on to become captain in the years to come. Also won a Premiership title with Sale and excelled on the 2001 Lions tour of Australia. 

The man known as 'Billy Whizz' used to give opposition defenders nightmares. There haven't been many, if any, players like him since.

Comparing rugby's past and present eras is like contrasting chalk and cheese. Players from amateur times such as Bill Beaumont could well have made this top 10. But few could argue against former prop Cotton's place among such gilded company. 

He was ahead of his time in terms of conditioning and he became a legend in the white of England and the red of the Lions. Cotton's ability to prop both sides of the scrum at the highest level was an asset that would have been highly prized today.

If Farrell has played his last England Test - and that remains an if - he will end his international career as his country's leading points scorer. Farrell is top of that list currently with 1,237 points which is in itself a remarkable feat. With 112 he is third on England's all-time caps list. 

The former captain initially stepped away from representing his country after last year's World Cup for mental health reasons but won't be eligible for England when he moves to play his

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