at the present time the best flankers in the world would be:
Richie McCaw
Thierry Dusautoir
Martyn Williams
Lewis moody
David Wallace
George Smith
David Pocock
the best of these without a doubt is McCaw
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This is a forward position - Number 7.
The open-side flanker is referred to as the player (number 7) who packs down in the scrummage on the same side as the ball is put in by their Scrum Half. This also means they are always closest to their own half back line and that of the opposition.
Their role is to Support the loose-head prop in the scrummage, protect their scum half as they maneuver to the rear of the scum to collect the ball for passing to the backs and to attack the opposition backs when the ball is won by the opponent. These player are normally first to breakdown and have speed in attack from the scrimmage. Their counterpart is the blindside flanker (number six) who is situated closest to the touch line and whose role in the scum is both supporting the tight head prop and countering any move down the line
It would have to be between Ronan O'Gara of Ireland or Daniel Carter of New Zealand.