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Twelve legends of the game were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame at the official opening of the physical visitor experience in Rugby on 17 November, 2016.Rugby World Cup winners, Olympic gold medallists and the all-time leading try-scorer in test history were among those inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016, taking the total number of inductees to 132 over the last decade.The 12 legends inducted at the World Rugby Hall of Fame opening in Rugby included four from England – three of them World Cup winners – as well as three Welshmen, an Irishman, a Scotsman, a Japanese icon, an Australian and a Canadian.RWC 2003 winners Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson were inducted alongside two other players who left their marks on English rugby in Jeremy Guscott and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 winner Maggie Alphonsi.Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, until last year the most-capped player in test history, was his country’s only representative alongside three Welshmen in Shane Williams, John Dawes and Arthur Gould and Scotland’s GPS Macpherson.Daisuke Ohata is Japan’s second inductee and took his place in the Hall of Fame a decade on from writing his name into the history books as the leading try-scorer with 69 tries in 58 tests for the Brave Blossoms.In a year where rugby made its long-awaited return to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016 it was fitting that the final two inductees were Olympic gold medallists, Canada’s two-time Olympic bobsleigh champion Heather Moyse and Daniel Carroll, who won rugby gold as a player with Australia in 1908 and USA as player-coach 12 years later.“The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.“The latest set of inductions includes some real legends, players who have helped to shape the image of rugby and inspire generations of fans. They are truly some of the biggest names in our sport and all have contributed immensely to the enjoyment we have all felt watching top-level rugby over the decades. Each of these 12 inductees has made a positive impression on the sport that will last the test of time.“While the Hall of Fame has been in existence for some years, it is exciting that finally it will have a permanent home and fitting that it should be in the town that gave our SALUTING THE GREATS OF THE GAMEABOVEJeremy Guscott receives his World Rugby Hall of Fame cap CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Shane Williams; Brian O’Driscoll; Daisuke Ohata; Heather Moyse; Maggie Alphonsi; Jonny WilkinsonFor more information on the 2016 inductees and the Hall of Fame itself, visit the dedicated website worldrugby.org/halloffameWorld Rugby Hall of Fame inductees in 2016121 Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)122 Shane Williams (Wales)123 Jeremy Guscott (England)124 Lawrence Dallaglio (England)125 Heather Moyse (Canada)126 John Dawes (Wales)127 GPS Macpherson (Scotland) 1903-1981128 Arthur Gould (Wales) 1864-1919129 Jonny Wilkinson (England)130 Daniel Carroll (Australia) 1888-1956131 Daisuke Ohata (Japan)132 Maggie Alphonsi (England)game its name, Rugby. The physical Hall of Fame will be a wonderful focal point for the game and will attract fans from all over the world to relive the great exploits of rugby’s most prominent and talented individuals.”The inductees all received a World Rugby Hall of Fame cap and pin from Beaumont and World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustín Pichot with family members or other individuals representing those who have passed away.YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 WORLD RUGBY 87HALL OF FAME | CELEBRATE