There are so many brothers playing at the moment that we decided to pick our ultimate Sibling XV.

THERE ARE SO MANY BROTHERS PLAYING AT THE MOMENT THAT WE THOUGHT WE’ D PICK OUR ALL-TIME SIBLING X V. SELECTION WAS OPEN TO ANYONE WHOSE BROTHER HAD ALSO PLAYED TEST RUGBY.

1. Ben Franks – New Zealand

Big brother to Owen, Ben was the man who paved the way for the Franks family. It was his work ethic, professionalism and commitment that drove younger brother Owen to be all he could be. And Ben was more than handy himself – winning two World Cup medals.

2: Rory Best – Ireland

The Irish captain took a long time to ful l his potential and lived in the shadow of brother Simon for much of his earlier career. But Rory, a hooker to Simon’s prop, had the honour of captaining Ireland to their rst win against the All Blacks.

3: Owen Franks – New Zealand

Arguably the best tight-head ever produced by New Zealand, Owen Franks says he may never have achieved all he did had it not been for brother Ben. When the two were in the All Blacks squad between 2010 and 2015, they were inseparable – pushing each other at training and enjoying their own nutrition regime.

4: Sam Whitelock– New Zealand

He is the third of four brothers, but was the second to win a test cap and easily the Whitelock who has enjoyed the longest presence in the All Blacks. Big brother George won his only cap in 2009, before Sam came into the squad in 2010 – where he has been ever since. Younger brother Luke won his rst cap in 2013 before earning a test recall in 2017. Sam, however, can be sure he’s not only the best player in his family, but one of the best locks in the world.

5: Scott Barrett – New Zealand

Scott Barrett is one of eight siblings and the third to win a professional contract and the second to win a test cap. He came into the All Blacks in November 2016 when Whitelock and Brodie Retallick were injured. He made his debut in Chicago, scored a try, and has looked a natural player ever since.

6: Luke Whitelock – New Zealand

Okay we are playing him slightly out of position at blindside, but he’s got a bit of experience there to justify the move. Luke is the youngest of four brothers – all of whom once played for the Crusaders. But he’s been the second most successful in his family, becoming a regular squad pick since late 2017.

7: Ardie Savea – New Zealand

Big brother Julian rst made the All Blacks in 2012 and at about the same time, Ardie emerged as a freakish 19-yearold in the Wellington team. By the end of 2013, Savea toured with the All Blacks as an apprentice and since 2016, he’s been a squad regular. He’s probably quicker than Julian, certainly a better natural athlete and ball player.

8: Zinzan Brooke – New Zealand

Zinzan and his brother Robin were permanent xtures in the Auckland, Blues and All Blacks packs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Zinzan was a No 8 who could drop goals and pass like a halfback. There hasn’t been a No 8 quite like him.

9: Graeme Bachop – New Zealand

Graeme and his brother Steve both played for the All Blacks. The latter at rst- ve, although they never played in combination for the All Blacks. Graeme was the prototype for Aaron Smith – a small man, but brilliant passer with extraordinary vision.

10: Beauden Barrett – New Zealand

He’s the second oldest sibling in the eight-strong Barrett clan - but the most senior of the three to have played test rugby.

He was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017 but in all honesty that award might be easier to win than being Barrett Family player of the year.

A class act, obviously.

11: Julian Savea – New Zealand

In his prime he was as good, if not better, than Jonah Lomu. The Bus could score from anywhere and through any means he chose. No wonder, then, he was the inspiration for younger brother Ardie. Despite being four years younger, Ardie was desperate to play in the same team as his brother when they were at school. And that hasn’t changed – Ardie may well sign for Toulon after the World Cup.

12: Aaron Mauger – New Zealand

We are stretching the rules slightly here to accommodate Aaron Mauger. While he was a long serving and good All Black, his brother Nathan never played a test but did tour with the squad in 2001. So we reckon that’s good enough. Aaron was a classy second receiver who was just as comfortable at No 10 and one of the great decision-makers.

13: Scott Hastings – Scotland

Scott Hastings is the younger brother of Gavin – the former captain of Scotland and the British Lions. Scott, while not having the same worldwide pro le, played more tests than Gavin and also won a place on two Lions tours. He was renowned for his supreme defensive work.

14: Rico Gear – New Zealand

Rico Gear was a stunningly gifted outside back with the Blues in the early 2000s who couldn’t get a lot of game time due to their riches in that position. But he shifted to the Crusaders in 2005 and became a regular All Black on the right wing where some of the tries he scored were quite sensational. A few years later little brother Hosea arrived on the scene and showed that Rico was not the only star turn in the family.

15: Jordie Barrett – New Zealand

We knew about Beauden in 2012, then Scott emerged and before we knew it there was another Barrett in the All Blacks – 19-year-old Jordie being picked as an apprentice in 2016. He made his debut the following year and now he’s a regular xture in the All Blacks match day 23 which usually features three Barrett brothers.