Photo by Wikimedia Commons, CC by 2.0
The Six Nations has delivered two decades of unforgettable rugby since 2000, featuring players of every shape, style, and age. A handful, though, stand out for defying Father Time, proving that class and longevity go hand in hand.
Let’s have a look at some of the players who defied age to take to the Six Nations pitch for their country and performed with grace. Here are the six oldest players that have featured in the Six Nations.
6) Alessandro Zanni (Italy) – 36 yrs, 22 days
Number 8 Zanni made his Test debut for Italy in November 2005 against Tonga and he would go on to win 119 caps for his country, with his final cap coming against Scotland in Rome in the 2020 Six Nations.
At the age of 36yrs and 22days, the powerful forward played 44 minutes of the 17-0 defeat to the Scots and he is currently second on Italy’s all-time record appearance maker, only behind Sergio Parisse (142).
Zanni called time on his playing career in August 2021, as Benetton were beaten 16-13 by Zebre at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in front of an empty stadium.
5) Rory Best (Ireland) – 36 yrs, 213 days
One of Ireland’s greatest ever hookers, Rory Best won a total of four Six Nations, including two Grand Slams, while he was also part of two British and Irish Lions squads in 2013 and 2017.
The front-rower earned 124 caps for his country and 64 of those came in the Six Nations, leaving him as the third-highest appearance maker in the tournament’s history.
Best’s last Six Nations outing came against Wales at the Principality Stadium in March 2019, aged 36 years and 213 days, before he retired for good later that year.
4) Diego Dominguez (Italy) – 36 yrs, 303 days
Fly-half Diego Dominguez played for Italy from 1993-2003, earning 74 caps, and he scored an incredible 983 points during that period to leave him way out in front as his country’s top points scorer.
However, the talented back made his 16th and final Six Nations appearance against Ireland in Rome in February 2003, at age of 36yrs 303days, and it will take a big effort for another fly-half to still be playing in the tournament beyond that age.
It could have been a very different career for Dominguez, who did win two caps for Argentina before switching allegiances to Italy. Although silverware didn’t come his way with the Azzurri, he is seen as a legend in the country and that will provide some solace at least.
3) Andrea Lo Cicero (Italy) – 36 yrs, 313 days
Italy may be the perennial Wooden Spoon winners when it comes to the Six Nations, but the players certainly know how to manage their workload and preserve their body to ensure a long career.
Andrea Lo Cicero played for his country from 2000-2013 and he is one of eight players to play over 100 times for the Azzurri, with his tally of 103 leaving him seventh on the all-time list.
The prop earned the last of his caps at the age of 36yrs 313 days and he chose a fine match to bow out on – Italy’s sensational 22-15 Six Nations victory at home to Ireland in 2013.
Italy ended up finishing fourth in the table that year, their joint-best Six Nations result after ending up in the same spot in 2007.
2) Simon Shaw (England) – 37 yrs, 199 days
Simon Shaw became the oldest player in Six Nations history when he played against Ireland in the 24-8 defeat at the Aviva Stadium back in 2011. His record stood 12 years before a certain someone dethroned him in 2023.
At 6ft 8in, the lock, who was born in Kenya, was a man mountain on the pitch and he earned 71 caps for his country, while he is also the third-oldest player to compete for the British and Irish Lions (35 yrs, 306 days).
1) Johnny Sexton (Ireland) – 37 yrs, 251 days
Johnny Sexton, a fly-half of rare calibre, debuted in the Six Nations in 2010 and quickly became a central figure for Ireland over the next decade.
Known for his outstanding kicking, game management, and leadership, Sexton guided Ireland to the 2018 Grand Slam and the 2023 Six Nations title, which was his final tournament.
He also starred in the 2014 championship and featured in a reduced role in 2015 due to injury.
While injuries occasionally disrupted his career, Sexton’s durability and dedication enabled him to continue performing at the top level well beyond his 30s.
He was 37 years and 251 days old when he made his final Six Nations appearance for Ireland. His teammates gave him the perfect farewell as Ireland beat arch-rivals England by 29-16.
