All Blacks legend Richie McCaw is back in the UK this weekend, but there's one title the two-time Rugby World Cup winner has never wanted – Sir Richie.

The former New Zealand captain was in Edinburgh for a special rugby event following Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Scotland.

The All Blacks ran out 43-21 winners at Murrayfield, scoring 22 unanswered points after the break.

McCaw was the headline guest at a special dinner at Tynecastle Stadium, where fans were invited to hear stories from his remarkable career.

The visit comes as McCaw's surprising Scottish connections have also returned to the spotlight.

But there's another story that still raises eyebrows.

Despite winning two World Cups and becoming a national hero, McCaw turned down the chance to receive a knighthood.

And his explanation says plenty about the man behind the famous black jersey.

Why Richie McCaw turned down a knighthood

Following New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph, then Prime Minister John Key discussed the possibility of awarding McCaw a knighthood.

The flanker had just captained the All Blacks to their first world title in 24 years.

For most players, it would have been the icing on the cake.

McCaw, however, had other ideas.

He was still playing professional rugby and felt accepting such an honour would be premature.

Speaking to Radio Sport, Key explained: "In the end, the conclusion that he drew was that he would love to take it but now wasn't the right time."

He added that McCaw felt accepting the honour while still playing did not seem right.

Key later confirmed that no formal offer was made because McCaw had already indicated he would decline.

Four years later, the openside flanker captained New Zealand to another World Cup triumph, beating Australia 34-17 at Twickenham.

The question of a knighthood returned.

But even after hanging up his boots, McCaw remained reluctant to become Sir Richie.

Speaking to TVNZ following the 2015 tournament, he explained: "I'm still pretty young, so to have a title like that, I don't know whether that's the right thing just yet."

The honour Richie McCaw did accept

McCaw wasn't against receiving recognition for his achievements.

In December 2015, he was appointed a Member of the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour.

Membership is limited to just 20 living people at any one time.

Unlike a knighthood, it does not carry the title of Sir.

And for McCaw, that made all the difference.

Speaking after his investiture in April 2016, he admitted that being able to live without a formal title suited him.

"As a young man you still want to be able to integrate yourself with your mates as normal," he told reporters.

He added that avoiding the title made that easier.

The former captain also admitted the recognition meant a great deal to him.

"You can't get any bigger than this," he said.

McCaw was just 35 when he received the honour, becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the exclusive order.

It was a fitting reward for a player who won 131 of his 148 Test appearances and lifted the Webb Ellis Cup twice.

Two World Cups, three World Player of the Year awards and a place among rugby's immortals.

McCaw had earned almost every honour going.

He just didn't fancy being called Sir.

Five Richie McCaw facts you might not know

1. He played the 2011 World Cup final with a broken foot

McCaw's toughness was legendary, but his efforts during the 2011 Rugby World Cup were extraordinary.

The All Blacks captain played through a stress fracture in his foot as New Zealand chased their first world title since 1987.

He later described the pain as feeling like he was stepping on a red-hot lump of coal.

Despite the injury, McCaw helped lead his country to a dramatic 8-7 victory over France at Eden Park.

2. His grandfather was a Second World War pilot

Flying runs in the McCaw family.

His grandfather, Jim McCaw, flew hundreds of missions during the Second World War and introduced Richie to gliding when he was just nine.

McCaw later earned his commercial helicopter pilot's licence and pursued a career in aviation after retiring from rugby.

He has also used his flying skills to help communities following natural disasters in New Zealand.

3. He once scored 99.4% in a maths exam – and was furious

McCaw wasn't just talented on the rugby pitch.

While attending Otago Boys' High School, he achieved an extraordinary 99.4% in a sixth-form mathematics examination.

But rather than celebrate, he was frustrated about the single mistake that had cost him a perfect score.

He later admitted the error still bothered him because he had known the correct answer.

4. He was named man of the match on his All Blacks debut

McCaw made his New Zealand debut against Ireland in Dublin in November 2001.

He was just 20 years old and had played only 17 first-class matches before earning his international call-up.

Despite his lack of experience, the young flanker was named man of the match as New Zealand won 40-29.

It was the beginning of a remarkable international career that would last 14 years.

5. His family roots can be traced back to Scotland

McCaw's connection to Scotland stretches back more than 200 years.

Research by Glasgow's Mitchell Library revealed that his great-great-great-grandfather, Alexander McCaw, was born in Girvan, Ayrshire, in 1808.

Alexander later emigrated to New Zealand, where future generations of the family settled.

The discovery was presented to McCaw during an All Blacks visit to Scotland in 2014.

More than two centuries after his ancestor's birth, Richie would become one of the greatest players ever to wear the famous black jersey.