Most Capped Test Side Of All-Time

Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones will reach an impressive milestone in the Grand Slam decider against Ireland this weekend when he makes his 134th appearance for Wales equalling Gethin Jenkins record.

With that in mind we take a look at the most capped test XV of all time:

1. Gethin Jenkins - Wales

The most capped loosehead in the game, Jenkins was regarded as one of the best looseheads in the game during his career. He made 129 appearances for Wales and added 5 test caps to his tally with the British and Irish Lions. Jenkins beat Jason Leonard's record of the most capped loosehead prop with Tendai Mtawarira the only loosehead still playing that has over 100 test caps.

2. Keven Mealamu - New Zealand

Mealamu tops an impressive list of hookers that have made over 100 appearances for their nation. The former All Black played his 132nd and final test in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia.

Stephen Moore came close to the All Blacks tally making 129 appearances while Rory Best made his 115th appearance for Ireland against France.

3. Martin Castrogiovanni - Italy

Castrogiovanni made a name for himself as one the premier scrummagers in the game and enjoyed a long stint in the Italian nation jersey featuring 119 times for his adoptive country.

Owen Franks could overtake the Italians the record this year if he features in just about all of the All Blacks test this year.

4. Alun-Wyn Jones - Wales

The Welsh captain will become the 5th most capped player in the game's history this weekend when he earns his 134 test cap. Jones will equal Gethin Jenkins' record in the Grand Slam decider. 9 of Jones' caps have also come with the British and Irish Lions.

France's Fabien Pelous, Ireland's Paul O'Connell, Italy's Marco Bortolami and Portugal's Gonçalo Uva are among the other Northern Hemisphere second rowers who have racked up over 100 appearances for their country.

5. Victor Matfield - South Africa

A legend of the lineout, Victor Matfield made 129 appearances for the Springboks over 14-year-long career. He captained the Springboks and won the World Cup in 2007 while also claiming a Series victory over the British and Irish Lions.

The Wallabies Nathan Sharpe and the All Blacks' Sam Whitelock are the other Southern Hemisphere second rowers who have made over 100 appearances.

6. George Smith - Australia

The Wallabies legend made 111 appearances for the Wallabies between 2000 & 2013. A master of the breakdown Smith is still turning out for Bristol Bears at the age of 38.

Smith is the third most capped Wallaby of all time and was named in the Wallaby team of the Decade in 2005.

7. Richie McCaw - New Zealand

The most capped player of all time Richie McCaw captained the All Blacks for most of his career winning two World Cups, countless Bledisloe Cups and become the first player to win 100 test matches and has won more games as captain than any other player.

8. Sergio Parisse - Italy

The most capped Italian off all time! Sergio Parisse will also become the first player to captain his country in 50 Six Nations matches in the final round of the 2019 Six Nations against France. Parisse is also closing in on George Gregan's record of 139 appearances with the Italian no.8 earning his 138th test cap against France.

9. George Gregan - Australia

One of the greatest scrum halves to have graced the game, Gregan is currently the third most capped player of all time turning out 139 times for the Wallabies, winning the World Cup in 1999. During his time with the Wallabies, the side won two Tri-Nations.

10. Ronan O'Gara - Ireland

O'Gara tops an impressive list of flyhalves who have made over 100 appearances for his country. The Irish International earned a 130 test caps (128 for Ireland, 2 for the British and Irish Lions).

O'Gara won 1 Grand Slam, four Triple Crowns and Six Nations in 2009. He was also a tourist on three Lions Tours and was inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Dan Carter, Stephen Jones and Matt Giteau all made over 100 appearances for their country.

11. Bryan Habana - South Africa

The most prolific Springbok try scorer of all time, Habana burst onto the test scene scoring off the bench at Twickenham and went to score 67 tries in 124 tests for South Africa winning the 2007 World Cup, a Tri-Nations and a Lions Series.

12. Florin Vlaicu - Romania

At the age of 32, Vlaicu has some time to become one of the most capped players of all time has gone on to make 117 appearances for Romania since his debut in 2006.

Vlaicu has set a few records over his career including the most capped Romanian player and Romania's top points scorer in Rugby World Cups (28).

Georgia's Davit Kacharava is not far off the Romanian with 113 test caps.

13. Brian O'Driscoll - Ireland

The second most capped player of all-time, O'Driscoll retired from test rugby in 2014 with 141 test caps. Regarded as one of the greatest of the game, O'Driscoll won two Six Nations titles, four Triple Crowns and a Grand Slam. O'Driscoll went on four Lions tours and captained the side in 2005.

His long list of awards includes: The 6 Nations All-time Top try scorer, Three-time 6 Nations Player of the tournament and was shortlisted for the World Player of the Award three times.

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper - Australia

Australia's 'Mister Fix It' made his return to the test set up last year and could feature in the Rugby World Cup later this year. Ashley-Cooper has scored 37 tries in 117 tests for the Wallabies and has featured on the wing, fullback and at outside-centre for the national side. Ashley-Cooper played in all but four of the 56 Tests played by between 2008 and 2011.

If selected in the Wallabies World Cup it will be Ashley-Cooper's fourth World Cup.

15. Merab Kvirikashvili - Georgia

A legend of the game in Georgia, Merab Kvirikashivili began his career as a scrumhalf before moving to fullback. The veteran can also play flyhalf and has broken numerous national records and is his nations leading points scorer.

Scotland's Chris Paterson made 109 appearances for his nations missing Kvirikashvili's record by 6 while Cătălin Fercu has made 107 for Romania. While the likes of Percy Montgomery, David Campese, Yuri Kushnarev and Mils Muliaina are amongst the other fullbacks to have played over 100 tests.