What's this "first five" position the OP speaks off?. And there was me thinking cricket had the monopoly on ridiculous positions..."silly mid off"..."short fine leg"
Sexton is an excellent infield runner, but his kicking is nowhere near O'Gara, both in terms of field placement and goal kicking. When O'Gara was still doing it he was first choice, and even when past his best he was still brought on to shore up the game. Sexton doesn't give that security.
The best #10 for me is Wilkinson, because he's been the only decisive #10 in a RWC winning team. For two years prior to the RWC he got England out of a hole time after time, and then carried that on at the tournament itself. Burnt out completely straight after that, injuries caught up with him. Clive's England were labeled "10 man rugby" as they played to their strengths, incredible scrum and a goal kicking machine. That label is a testament to Wilkinson's brilliance.
Nah. Wilkinson didn't burn out - you touch on the crux of the reason why Wilkinson went to **** later in your post. After 2003 England had retirements in the forwards, the forward pack was no longer dominant and Wilkinson went to ****. Wilkinson isn't as limited as a rugby player as many people make out but he still isn't the complete player. Dan Carter would star in any team under any circumstances; Wilkinson couldn't and that to me is the difference.