World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Outside-centre
5. Jeremy Guscott
Jeremy Guscott made his name as a wonderfully balanced outside-centre for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions.
Guscott played his entire career for his hometown side Bath, becoming a legend with fans as the side forged a name as one of the heavyweights of the pre-professional era. Guscott's languid running style, deceptively quick and always aware of a gap or support runner, made him an effective weapon in attack and he exemplified the creative nature that shines in the most accomplished No.13s.
Hailed as "The Prince of Centres" by former England coach Clive Woodward, Guscott made his international debut against Romania in 1989 and racked up a hat-trick during a 58-3 win. Guscott's star continued to rise as he was called out to the 1989 Lions tour to Australia. If conservative tactics were called for, then Guscott was unlikely to be your man; hence his omission from the first Test line-up against Australia in 1989. But when the hiding the Lions received prompted a switch to a more daring approach for the second contest, his was one of the first names on the team-sheet. He did not disappoint. With the Lions leading by a single point and desperate not to concede possession in the dying minutes, Guscott backed himself against the Wallaby defence by sliding a delicious grubber kick behind the advancing rearguard. Gliding through the gold jerseys in pursuit of his kick, he saw the ball sit up right on cue just as he arrived to collect it and skate over for the clinching try.
He embarked on his second Lions tour in 1993 after representing England at the 1991 World Cup, starting in the final as England lost 12-6 to the Wallabies. Guscott would make his second World Cup in 1995 after his 1994 season was decimated by injury, and as England were bulldozed out of the tournament by Jonah Lomu, Guscott soon found himself out of sorts with England.
With Phil de Glanville taking the England captaincy in 1996, Guscott found himself on the bench as Will Carling was accommodated at 13. After making substitute appearances during the 1996 Five Nations to great effect, Guscott made his third Lions tour in 1997.
Guscott's finest moment may be the drop-goal that he sent over during the decisive second Test win over the Springboks. Leading the series against South Africa 1-0, the Lions had been on the ropes for almost the entire second Test, but with four minutes to play Neil Jenkins' goalkicking had kept them level at 15-15 and they were now on the attack inside the Springbok 22. With Gregor Townsend having taken the ball into a ruck, Guscott stepped in at stand-off, took Matt Dawson's pass and coolly dropped the goal that gave the Lions the series.
Guscott's eight Test appearances make him the Lions' most capped centre, jointly with Mike Gibson. It says everything about him that he would be quite at home in such company.
Guscott made his last appearance for England against Tonga during the 1999 World Cup, scoring an interception try and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
Jeremy Guscott offered pace, awareness and intelligence to the England and British Lions midfield. He spotted gaps in defences and exposed them with electric pace. A truely breathtaking number 13 who was underestimated by thoses who didn't know him best. For me I would not argue if he was pencilled into any squad in history.