Brian O'Driscoll

Rugby union, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. O'Driscoll captained Ireland in 83 Tests and led them to the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam, their first since 1948. He also captained the 2005 Lions, a tour that ended for him in the opening minutes of the first Test. Team-mates describe a captain who led more by his own play than by speeches, and he kept playing at the highest level after the captaincy passed to others.