by Their best talents rank far better than European Union rugby.
How do you rate the qualities of a fleet-footed winger compared to the destructive scrummaging of a tight-head prop?
In short, you can’t. But that doesn’t stop people from trying. So who are the best players in world rugby right now?
Many would agree that Antoine Dupont is the best player in the world at the moment, with All Black Ardie Savea and Springbok duo Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit all chasing the top spot. Besides, it is very subjective.
But with that in mind, here are the 30 best players in the game right now…
30-26
30. Blair Kinghorn, 29. James Lowe, 28. Pablo Matera, 27. Ben Earl, 26. Scott Barrett
Scotland full-back Kinghorn has been successful at Toulouse with some excellent performances, while winger Lowe continues to be a key figure for Ireland.
Argentina’s Matera full-back is usually in the lead when Los Pumas draw their scalps. England captain Earl has been a great success over the past year, and All Black captain Barrett is a great asset to new coach Scott Robertson.
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25-21
25. Cyril Baille, 24. Malcolm Marx, 23. Siya Kolisi, 22. Courtney Lawes, 21. Jordie Barrett
Toulouse prop Baille is arguably France’s most important forward, although Springbok hook Marx is very curious in terms of what he can offer around the pitch.
A two-time World Cup-winning captain, Kolisi is occasionally overlooked as a lone South African player. The same cannot be said for England’s Lawes, who was named the Premier’s player of the year and European player of the year last season.
For All Black center Barrett, the biggest compliment you can give him is that he could be better than his brothers, Scott and Beauden.
20-16
20. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Will Skelton, 18. Finn Russell, 17. Josh van der Flier, 16. Ox Nche
Ireland’s Furlong is a first-class tight end with excellent feet, while Frenchman Skelton will go a long way to improving the Wallabies whenever he is introduced. recent years.
World player of the year van der Flier was Ireland’s consistent leader of the year not too long ago, and Springbok prop Nche has had more than a few tight ends in the game.
15-11
15. Maro Itoje, 14. Richie Mo’unga, 13. Bundee Aki, 12. Jamison Gibson-Park, 11. Hugo Keenan
The trip to New Zealand was a reminder of how important Itoje is to England. Mo’unga was the best half in the world last year and still deserves a high spot, even if the All Blacks now lack the magic of the Japan-based playmaker.
The Irish trio of Aki, Gibson-Park and Keenan are extremely important to the way Andy Farrell’s team want to play.
10. Jordan
He is the leading try scorer at last year’s World Cup, a knowledge of All Black winger Jordan’s game that also serves his elusive run. A total of 33 tries in 33 games says all you need to know, but it should only take better play at the back moving forward.
9. Dan Sheehan
Built as a full-back and possessing the pace of the game, the Ireland star has firmly established himself as the best hurler in world rugby. Unfortunately, he is now facing some time on the sidelines following a serious knee injury earlier this summer.
8. Cheslin Kolbe
The diminutive, capped winger has played a part in the side’s two recent World Cup victories in South Africa. There was no chance of becoming a Springbok regular and he remains a big-game player for Rassie Erasmus’ side.
7. Tadhg Beirne
When players have that perfect combination of work rate, physicality and intelligence, they can be like a step or two ahead of the curve. That’s the case for Ireland in the second tier ever since he was shining in the Scarlets pack – his eye for treacherous turnovers is still as sharp as ever.
6. Damian Penaud
Is there a more clinical player in world rugby than the French plant? The Bordeaux Begles star simply knows how to conquer the whitewash at an alarming rate.
5. Caelan Doris
After taking over the Ireland captaincy this summer, his excellent performances in South Africa showed just how good Leinster’s backline is. He will likely be the starting linebacker to lead the Lions next year.
4. Ardie Savea
Last year’s World Rugby player of the year, the All Black forward is easily New Zealand’s best player from the current crop. Like Richie McCaw and Kieran Read before him, Savea is the latest talismanic figure in the All Blacks pack.
3. Evan Etzebeth
Well on his way to being the best Springbok ever. The second tier is sure to be the most capped player of all time and his levels have barely dipped past his 124 caps.
2. Pieter-Steph Du Toit
World player of the year in 2019, the boss backed it up with more impressive performances in France last year. Each and every time he pulls on the Springbok jersey, you can bank on a huge effort.
1. Antoine Dupont
Recently, the discourse has been around whether the French striker is the greatest player to ever receive a final. That particular debate has raised a few eyebrows in the southern hemisphere, but you’re on pretty safe ground to say he’s the best right now.
He missed the Six Nations this year to focus on the Olympics, but it paid off as he delivered gold, while also delivering for Toulouse. Unparalleled as an all-round talent, his quickness has bent the shape of the game to his liking with a frightening edge.
