Top 100 Men's Rugby Players 2025

[{"id":"4874","name":"Tommy Freeman","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tommy-freeman\/","copy1":"Another new entry in the top 100, Freeman broke new ground for an Englishman in becoming the first to score a try in every round of the Six Nations in the same season. He also started all three Lions Tests. If his autumn did not go quite so smoothly with a hamstring strain sustained against Fiji limiting his time on the grass, he could still reflect on an outstanding year, one which also included a Champions Cup final appearance for Northampton. Steve Borthwick thinks Freeman\u2019s power and pace could work for England at outside centre. While the jury remains out on that, he is borderline world class as a wing. NS\n","copy2":"Freeman and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both scored in all five rounds of the 2025 Six Nations, becoming just the second and third players to do so, after Philippe Bernat-Salles in 2001. Freeman also had the best gainline success rate (82%) of anyone to make 25+ carries, while only Blair Kinghorn (9) made more line-breaks than him (8). \n","copy3":"\u201cTommy\u2019s an exceptional talent. He\u2019s got a triple threat - he\u2019s fast, athletic and big - and has a kicking game. And an ego.\u201d \u2013 Phil Dowson, Northampton director of rugby","country":"England","team":"60","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4874.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":41,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/northampton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/109.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Northampton"}]},{"id":"6188","name":"Fabian Holland","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/fabian-holland\/","copy1":"There was no more compelling story in New Zealand rugby this year than that of Holland. The 23-year-old made his Test debut and ended the season as World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. That was incredible, but it\u2019s made yet more so by Holland\u2019s back-story which saw him leave the Netherlands at 15 \u2013 on his own \u2013 to spend six months at school in Christchurch to improve his rugby. That six months turned into a year and then into him staying permanently. The 2.04m, 125kg Holland has become a big star in both New Zealand and the Netherlands with hundreds of Dutch fans turning up in Cardiff to watch him. GP\n","copy2":"Played in all but one of New Zealand\u2019s 13 Tests this year, winning 85 lineouts (including five steals) - more than any other Tier One player. His average of 8.9 lineout takes per 80 minutes was also the most (min.160 minutes). Took 34 (100%) lineouts in the Rugby Championship and made 64 tackles \u2013 the most prolific All Black in both.\n","copy3":"\u201cHe hasn\u2019t overplayed his hand, he\u2019s done his job, and done his job to the best level in the world and that\u2019s what being an All Black is about, just nailing your role, nothing more, nothing less,\u201d Ian Jones, former All Blacks lock\n","country":"New Zealand","team":"29","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/6188.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"5","positionAlt":"Lock","number":42,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/highlanders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/406.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Highlanders"}]},{"id":"2785","name":"Caleb Clarke","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/caleb-clarke\/","copy1":"The year didn\u2019t start well for Clarke as part of a stuttering Blues Super Rugby title defence, then appeared in court for a traffic offence, before suffering a major ankle injury that sidelined him for seven weeks. But once he returned to Test duty midway through the Rugby Championship, he started to play like when he was first capped in 2020. Established his right to be seen as the All Black\u2019s first-choice left wing despite only managing four games due to injury. Involvement may have been low on quantity, but it was high on quality. Showed he remains one of the fastest wings in the world when in full flight. At 108kg, he has destructive power to bump or run over defenders. GP\n","copy2":"Caleb Clarke has gained 2118 metres from 279 carries for New Zealand since his debut in October 2020, his average gain of 7.6 metres per carry is the best of any All Black in that time (min. 20 carries).","copy3":"\u201cHis aerial game is still very good. He's a big power athlete. Every time he has been in our team, he has performed.\u201d \u2013 Scott Robertson, All Blacks head coach\n","country":"New Zealand","team":"27","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2785.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":43,"new":false,"move":42,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/blues\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/401.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Blues"}]},{"id":"1955","name":"James Lowe","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/james-lowe\/","copy1":"Lowe was sports-mad, growing up in New Zealand, but hampered by a form of arthritis that led to knee-swelling which held him back as a teenager. He recovered from that to develop into an outstanding player for the Chiefs and Maori All Blacks before heading to Leinster. The winger will soon overtake Shane Horgan as the province\u2019s top try-scorer. For a player who traded off that prowess for so long, Lowe only crossed the whitewash once in Test rugby this year. But his all-round game has improved massively in recent years and his booming left boot is a massive weapon. Did not reach his usual heights for the Lions but still produced a sublime assist for Tadhg Beirne\u2019s try in the second Test. PM","copy2":"Lowe has been directly involved in 19 tries across the last four editions of the Six Nations, scoring 11 tries and assisting a further eight, more than any other player in that time.","copy3":"\u201cLowe is just a powerful winger with that all-round game\u2026 In terms of what he is doing for Ireland and the effect he has, whether that is exit, defensively or finishing, I don\u2019t think there is anyone better.\u201d \u2013 Chris Ashton, former England winger\n","country":"IRFU","team":"73","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1955.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":44,"new":false,"move":-6,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"4774","name":"Jac Morgan","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jac-morgan\/","copy1":"It\u2019s remarkable to think former Wales coach Wayne Pivac refused to pick Morgan, saying he needed to \u201cstep up his physicality\u201d for Test rugby. Pivac was, politely, seriously wide of the mark. Through sheer brilliance and consistency in a losing cause, Morgan has routinely held the weight of Welsh rugby\u2019s troubles on his broad shoulders. Whether snaffling ball on the deck, rearranging ribcages or carrying into heavy traffic, he rarely takes a backward step. Forced his way into the Lions\u2019 Test 23; a perfectly executed clear-out led to Hugo Keenan\u2019s series-winning try. In typically barnstorming form when he dislocated a shoulder against Argentina in November, an incalculable blow to Wales. OJ\n","copy2":"Morgan made a combined 355 carries (64), tackles (100) and ruck hits (191) in his 454 minutes of action for Wales this year, an average of 63 per 80 minutes - the best rate of any player for a Tier One nation in 2025 (min.400 minutes).\n","copy3":"\u201cHe is a class bloke, very humble, and someone I love playing with and playing for. You always know he is going to give everything.\" - Dafydd Jenkins, Wales team-mate\n","country":"Wales","team":"81","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4774.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"7","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":45,"new":false,"move":12,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/wales\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Wales.png.webp","alt":"Wales"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/ospreys\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/311.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Ospreys"}]},{"id":"4816","name":"Tomas Albornoz","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tomas-albornoz\/","copy1":"The Tucum\u00e1n-born fly-half, hailing from the same province as former Pumas No.10 Nicolas S\u00e1nchez, was an heir in waiting for a few years. His apprenticeship might have been longer than expected, but when he finally took the field, he did so with great aplomb. A standout when Los Pumas beat the British & Irish Lions in Dublin in May, had a badly-broken finger, suffered in Argentina\u2019s first home win against the All Blacks, not ruled him out for a few months, he would have probably been higher on this list. One lesson he will take from 2025? Don\u2019t clap with your mouthguard in your hand, as it will trigger the HIA alarm! FD\n","copy2":"Albornoz missed just one of his 22 kicks at goal for Benetton Rugby in the URC last season. His 95% success rate from the tee was the best of any player in the competition (min. 10 attempts).","copy3":"\u201cI can describe Tomi with two words: different and outstanding. He is a different kind of player which makes him outstanding.\u201d - Daniel Hourcade, former Pumas coach\n","country":"Argentina","team":"67","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4816.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":46,"new":false,"move":-2,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/benetton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/301.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Benetton"}]},{"id":"14577","name":"Henry Pollock","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/henry-pollock\/","copy1":"The peroxide poster boy of English rugby has blown rugby\u2019s doors off with his entry onto the international stage, even if he has yet to start a Test. Two tries on his debut against Wales in the Six Nations, amid 10 for Northampton last season, shot him out of a cannon straight into the Lions squad at the age of 20. Continued in much the same blurring vein as part of the \u2018Pom Squad\u2019 bench in November. Shortlisted for World Breakthrough Player of the Year, he has an uncanny knack of being where the action is - and milking each magical moment - made him a highlights reel phenomenon. The TikTok footwork suggests he may follow Chris Robshaw onto Strictly before he is done. NS","copy2":"Pollock scored a brace of tries against Wales at just 20 years and 60 days of age, becoming the youngest player to score for England in the Six Nations, overtaking Henry Arundell, who was 20 years and 96 days old when he scored against Italy in 2023.","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s a joke. He\u2019s unbelievable. I don\u2019t want to big him up too much but honestly, he brings some sort of energy like you\u2019ve never seen before for a 20-year-old. This guy \u2013 nothing fazes him,\u201d - Tommy Freeman, Northampton and England team-mate\n","country":"England","team":"60","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/14577.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":47,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/northampton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/109.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Northampton"}]},{"id":"5392","name":"Juan Martin Gonzalez","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/juan-martin-gonzalez\/","copy1":"At 25, Gonz\u00e1lez has certainly become one of the best Pumas of his generation and a stalwart of a very good Saracens side. As a flanker or number eight, his influence is always noticeable, making him Mr. Reliable. A centre growing up, who also won a Youth Olympics gold medal in Sevens, he can run the ball with gusto, cover many metres in defence and win his share of lineout ball; he is the type of player you always at your disposal \u2013 either in the starting XV or ready to explode from the bench. Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi certainly thinks so as Gonz\u00e1lez was involved in 12 of their 13 Tests in 2025, picking up his 50th cap in November against Scotland. FD\n","copy2":"Gonzalez recorded a gainline success rate of 90.5% in The Rugby Championship this year, the best rate of any player (min. 10 carries).\n","copy3":"\u201cJuan has made a big impression on and off the field since his arrival post World Cup. He has fitted into the group seamlessly and has earned the respect of everyone with the consistency of his performances.\u201d - Mark McCall, Saracens director of rugby \n","country":"Argentina","team":"62","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5392.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":48,"new":false,"move":-23,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/saracens\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/111.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Saracens"}]},{"id":"299","name":"Siya Kolisi","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/siya-kolisi\/","copy1":"Some might suggest Kolisi\u2019s 100th Test against France in November was marred by his forced removal in the 39th minute, as the Springboks reshuffled their pack after Lood de Jager\u2019s red card. But after the emphatic 32-17 win in Paris, the skipper went out of his way to play down the significance of his milestone and highlight the result. Further analysis reveals how crucial Kolisi has been in this golden era for South African rugby, both as a player and leader. Few players work harder around the breakdown, while his athleticism and ball sense have been harnessed in wider channels, as Rassie Erasmus and attack coach Tony Brown have pushed the Boks into a more attacking game. JC\n","copy2":"Former captains such as Francois Pienaar, John Smit and Gary Teichmann agree Kolisi is the best skipper South Africa has ever produced. He has led the team 72 times and is closing in on Smit\u2019s record of 83. Having led them to five straight wins on tour recently, Kolisi (74%) has surpassed Teichmann (72%) in terms of his success-rate.\n","copy3":"\u201cYou inspire me to realise that it doesn't matter what life throws at you, you always run into the storm\u2026 doesn't matter how daunting it looks, you've been running at storms since you were small my brother. You also inspire me on the field by the way you play and how you always give everything for the Green & Gold, never giving up inspiring your team-mates by your actions.\u201d \u2013 Eben Etzebeth, Springboks team-mate \n","country":"South Africa","team":"17","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/299.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":49,"new":false,"move":-10,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sharks\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/412.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Sharks"}]},{"id":"4354","name":"Santiago Carreras","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/santiago-carreras\/","copy1":"We are not comparing Carreras with Lionel Messi, but football\u2019s GOAT didn\u2019t always shine in the national team until they understood his class needed to fit into a system he could shine in. After being savagely criticised under Michael Cheika, Carreras now seems to feel comfortable under Felipe Contepomi\u2019s game plan. His 30-minute man-of-the-match performance against Scotland showed that even when coming off the bench, he can light up a stadium with his derring-do. Is he a fly-half or a full-back? He grew up playing mostly 15, but the ability he offers with ball in hand, with space coming from the back or creating space out of nothing in front of big defences, makes him a valuable asset. FD\n","copy2":"Carreras has assisted the most tries (8) and landed the most kicks at goal (45) of any player in 2025 from a Six Nations or Rugby Championship team, while only Beauden Barrett (15) has recorded more line-break assists than him (13).","copy3":"\u201cSanti had a great season and was in top form, playing with great connection to the game and showed the experience to anticipate what the match needed the moment he came on as a substitute, making a real impact. He orchestrated the team well when starting.\u201d - Marcelo Bosch, former Pumas centre","country":"Argentina","team":"53","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4354.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":50,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bath\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/101.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Bath"}]},{"id":"270","name":"Codie Taylor","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/codie-taylor\/","copy1":"The veteran hooker won his 100th cap this year and arguably produced the best and most consistent form of his career. He missed most of last year\u2019s Super Rugby to have an extended \u2018sabbatical\u2019 break and the benefits of that time off appeared to kick in this year as he looked leaner, sharper around the field and played, on average, 56 minutes per Test. A deceptively gifted athlete with rapid acceleration, Taylor was a big ball-carrying presence for the All Blacks this year. But the most valuable parts of Taylor\u2019s game were his relentlessly accurate throwing at the lineouts where the All Blacks were a consistent force from the touchline when he was on the field. GP\n","copy2":"Taylor became the 14th All Black to win a century of caps when he reached the milestone against Argentina in August. He won his first cap, also against the Pumas, in 2015, replacing Keven Mealamu, the most capped New Zealand hooker of all time.\n","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s an absolute professional, every day he rocks up to be better. A great, humble New Zealander, a beautiful family man. Someone who makes the team better, world-leading in his position, an absolute warrior.\u201d - Scott Hansen, All Blacks assistant coach\n","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/270.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":51,"new":false,"move":25,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"1506","name":"Gregory Alldritt","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/gregory-alldritt\/","copy1":"The La Rochelle No.8 made his debut for France in 2019 and quickly became one of Fabien Galthi\u00e9\u2019s leaders in the squad. A strong ball-carrier, a tireless tackler and an astute reader of the game, Alldritt was outstanding for Les Bleus when they won the Grand Slam in 2022, being nominated for the player of the tournament. Galthi\u00e9 said recently that Alldritt \u201cneeds to recharge\u201d, an indication of how much rugby he has played in recent seasons. At his best, the 28-year-old is one of the most complete number eights in world rugby, which is why France must manage him with care between now and RWC 2027. GM\n","copy2":"Alldritt started every one of his 27 matches for club and country last season \u2013 a total of 1,804 minutes, which worked out at 67 minutes per game.","copy3":"\u201cWhether it's offensive one on ones, defending the breakdown, playing without the ball, putting pressure on the ball-carrier... In his position, he\u2019s one of the best in the world.\u201d - Romain Carmignani, La Rochelle defence coach\n","country":"France","team":"14","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1506.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"8","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":52,"new":false,"move":-19,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/la-rochelle\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/206.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Stade Rochelais"}]},{"id":"319","name":"Jesse Kriel","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jesse-kriel\/","copy1":"Along with centre partner Damian de Allende, Kriel has been one of the most used players in an ever-changing Springboks line-up over the past two seasons. A move to a more expansive approach has forced the player to take his attacking repertoire to the next level, while team-mates and coaches insist that he remains one of their most important figures in defence. Earlier this season, Kriel was given the captaincy in the injury-enforced absence of Siya Kolisi, a sure sign of his value to the team and management. Having played and started in his first World Cup back in 2015, he may travel to his fourth global tournament in 2027 as part of a strong and experienced leadership group. JC","copy2":"Kriel and De Allende hold the South African Test record for the most appearances as a centre combination (43). While Rassie Erasmus has rotated his squad regularly in recent times and experimented with various combinations, their midfield partnership was still chosen to start eight Tests in 2024, and seven more in 2025.\n","copy3":"\u201cThere are a few things we look for in a captain. Jesse ticks the boxes. He is one of the hardest workers in the team and one of the best outside centres in the world. Adding to that, he leads by example.\u201d \u2013 Mzwandile Stick, Springboks assistant coach\n","country":"South Africa","team":"183","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/319.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"13","positionAlt":"Centre","number":53,"new":false,"move":10,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/yokohama-canon-eagles\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/5200.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927735","alt":"Yokohama Canon Eagles"}]},{"id":"17450","name":"Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/joseph-aukuso-suaalii\/","copy1":"Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii enjoyed a dream debut for the Wallabies in November 2024, announcing himself to the rugby world with a Player of the Match display against England. The 22-year-old was recently crowned Rugby Australia\u2019s Rookie of the Year, showcasing more flair, skill and game-breaking traits for club and country. The former NRL star was named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year before starting 14 of the Wallabies\u2019 15 Tests this year, scoring four tries in The Rugby Championship. He and Len Ikitau have formed one of the world\u2019s best midfield pairings, having made their mark against the Lions and in a famous comeback win over South Africa in Johannesburg. FM","copy2":"Suaalii was selected in the SRP Team of the Year ahead of Will Jordan and Tom Wright. The rookie made seven appearances, carrying for more than 530 metres and recording 320 post-contact metres in 504 minutes.\n","copy3":" \u201cHe\u2019s a freak, man! Just being able to play next to him and just seeing what he can do on the field is awesome. We\u2019re expecting more from him,\u201d Len Ikitau, Australia centre partner, after Suaalii\u2019s Test debut.\n","country":"Australia","team":"36","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/17450.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"13","positionAlt":"Centre","number":54,"new":false,"move":14,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/australia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Australia.png.webp","alt":"Australia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/waratahs\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/415.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927735","alt":"Waratahs"}]},{"id":"1576","name":"Peato Mauvaka","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/peato-mauvaka\/","copy1":"Spring 2025 was a terrible time for France as two of their most influential players suffered serious knee injuries. First Antoine Dupont, and then his Toulouse team-mate Mauvaka, who tore his cruciate knee ligaments at the end of April. The hooker should be back fit in time for the Six Nations but will he be wearing the No.2 jersey? He began his career playing in the centre and in a recent interview, Mauvaka suggested he is thinking about a return to the backline. He has the speed and the hands, and Toulouse coach Ugo Mola believes he is \u201ccapable of playing in several positions\u201d. GM","copy2":"Only three French forwards have scored more Test tries than Mauvaka\u2019s tally of 11: Charles Ollivon (17), Imanol Harinordoquy (13) and Olivier Magne (12)","copy3":"\u201cHe's a good leader in terms of physical performance, we should all be inspired by his physical condition, it counts for so much.\u201d Fabien Galthi\u00e9, France coach in 2024","country":"France","team":"74","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1576.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":55,"new":false,"move":-24,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"2925","name":"Juan Cruz Mallia","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/juan-cruz-mallia\/","copy1":"The way his season finished against England was a sad epilogue to a big year in which he shone not only for Toulouse, playing wherever the French team needed him \u2013 fly-half, centre, wing and full-back - and winning his fourth Top 14 title - but also Argentina. He continued to lead from the front \u2013 or the back-field - as vice-captain of the Pumas and won his 50th cap in their stunning comeback win against Scotland at Murrayfield before suffering a torn ACL in his knee after being hit by Tom Curry\u2019s late tackle. As a result, this highly intelligent player will probably miss the rest of the domestic season. But a hunger for the game will ensure he is back fit and ready to play as soon as humanly possible. FD","copy2":"Mallia made the most carries (59, one more than Ardie Savea), gained the most metres (340) and made the most offloads (11) of any player in The Rugby Championship this year. He also played every minute of the competition.","copy3":"\u201cHe is an exceptional player that brings energy and helps everybody to get better. He can play in any position, so losing him is a very big loss for us. Yet he is the type of person that will keep his spirits high.\u201d - Jean Bouilhou, Toulouse assistant coach ","country":"Argentina","team":"74","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2925.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":56,"new":false,"move":13,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"3274","name":"Jasper Wiese","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jasper-wiese\/","copy1":"There may be bigger names across the current Springboks squad, but few are as important to the cause as the \u201cKalahari Pain Train\u201d. In recent years, Wiese\u2019s value has been highlighted by his absence, with the Boks missing his ball-carrying venom in the marquee series against Ireland in 2024, and again during the early stages of the 2025 season. His return from suspension in September coincided with the second Test against the All Blacks, in Wellington, which the Boks went on to win by a record-breaking 33-point margin. Wiese was also at the heart of commanding forward performances against France and Ireland on the tour to Europe in November. JC","copy2":"Wiese was among a group of Boks who finished the season with a 100% win-record. While injury and suspension curtailed his involvement in the early stages of the Test schedule, the powerful No.8 started seven of South Africa\u2019s last eight Tests.\n","copy3":"\u201cWhen someone has a super strength like that, that draws attention to him. So people are talking a lot about him in their prep, in their defence plan. So that creates space for other people. But his ability defensively is hugely dominant. He doesn\u2019t take a backward step. Everything he does gets momentum or takes momentum away from the opposition.\u201d \u2013 Harry Wells, former Leicester team-mate ","country":"South Africa","team":"248","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3274.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"8","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":57,"new":false,"move":34,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/urayasu-d-rocks\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/10005207.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Urayasu D-Rocks"}]},{"id":"930","name":"Ellis Genge","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/ellis-genge\/","copy1":"The transformation of England\u2019s scrum from liability to genuine weapon has been one of the building blocks of the side\u2019s ascent up the rankings and that is in no small part down to Genge. Flint hard and ferocious, his prize-fighter menace adds another dimension to the England front row whether as a starter or off the bench and the work-rate of the Bristol loose-head is regularly used by Steve Borthwick as an example to the rest of the squad. Seventy-five caps into his England career - and a Test Lion to boot after his front-row job-share with Andrew Porter in Australia the summer - the council estate kid from Knowle West has done good. Very good. NS","copy2":"Genge has averaged the most carries (10.8), metres (21.4) and defenders beaten (2.9) per 80 minutes of any prop in the Gallagher Prem since the beginning of last season (min. 240 minutes played).","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s the kind of guy that I\u2019d want to follow. He\u2019s also a man that has an unbelievable ability to give a message worth a thousand words just with a facial expression. For most opposing players that look is pretty fierce and pretty formidable.\u201d - Steve Borthwick, England head coach","country":"England","team":"54","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/930.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"1","positionAlt":"Prop","number":58,"new":false,"move":19,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bristol\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/102.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Bristol"}]},{"id":"5423","name":"Tommaso Menoncello","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tommaso-menoncello\/","copy1":"A centre built like a back-rower who lives for one-on-one contests. His esteemed midfield partner, Nacho Brex, says Menoncello has been \u201ctouched by God\u201d, with his muscle-bound physique and extraordinary athletic attributes. Immensely powerful, he has searing speed and a broad skillset, which complements the distribution and short-kicking game of Brex. It\u2019s a potent combination; among the best in world rugby. Six Nations player of the tournament in 2024, Menoncello played every minute of this year\u2019s edition and remains the competition\u2019s youngest try-scorer. Only turned 23 in August; little wonder then that the Benetton star has been linked heavily with Toulouse in recent months. JL","copy2":"Menoncello recorded the best dominant carry rate of any Tier One centre this year (59%, min. 50 carries) while he was the only back to hit double figures for dominant tackles (11).","copy3":"\"He is a player capable of breaking the mould... an athlete capable of changing games.\u201d \u2013 Marco Bortolami, former Benetton head coach","country":"Italy","team":"67","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5423.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"12","positionAlt":"Centre","number":59,"new":false,"move":2,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/italy\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Italy.png.webp","alt":"Italy"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/benetton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/301.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Benetton"}]},{"id":"590","name":"George Ford","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/george-ford\/","copy1":"At the ripe old age of 32, Ford is, perhaps, only belatedly getting the acclaim his obvious talent merits. Indeed, for so long in the shadow of his great friend, Owen Farrell, Ford has hit 100 caps for his country in a curiously understated manner but his value to Steve Borthwick is clear. \n\nArguably one of the best players not to have been selected for the British & Irish Lions, the Oldham-born Sale pivot was instrumental to England\u2019s mightily impressive series win in Argentina and guided them to a historic win over the All Blacks in November with a peerless performance. \n\nHe looks set to be part of England\u2019s plans up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite Fin and Marcus Smith snapping at his heels. OJ","copy2":"With 10 drop-goals in Test rugby, the same as Andrew Mehrtens and Neil Jenkins, Ford has more successful kicks than any other current Test kicker, but is still way behind Jonny Wilkinson, who is top with 36. ","copy3":" \u201cGeorge Ford is almost the perfect 10. He manages the game magnificently and keeps the scoreboard ticking over at crucial times to keep England in the game.\u201d Brian O\u2019Driscoll, former Ireland and Lions centre","country":"England","team":"61","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/590.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":60,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sale\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/110.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Sale"}]},{"id":"2496","name":"Rob Valetini","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/rob-valetini\/","copy1":"Valetini had a disrupted start to the international season, playing just 40 minutes against the Lions in Melbourne, but the back-rower made enough of an impact to show fans exactly what the Wallabies were missing. Made a popular return with four outings in the Rugby Championship, before suiting up in all five tour fixtures. The two-time John Eales Medallist is highly rated by fans around the world, offering explosiveness and relentless physicality in a star-studded back row, at either blindside flanker or number eight. Valetini is one of just three Wallabies to win the team\u2019s player of the year award in back-to-back seasons, claiming the honours in 2023 and 2024. FM","copy2":"Valetini\u2019s work rate was a talking point after the first round of the 2024 Rugby Championship, with Opta revealing the Wallaby was the only player to have made more than 15 carries, at least 12 tackles, and won multiple turnovers.","copy3":"\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to overstate how important it is for the club to have Rob sticking around\u2026 he\u2019s world-class.\u201d - Stephen Larkham, ACT Brumbies head coach","country":"Australia","team":"35","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2496.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":61,"new":false,"move":-9,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/australia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Australia.png.webp","alt":"Australia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/brumbies\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/402.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Brumbies"}]},{"id":"216","name":"Andrew Porter","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/andrew-porter\/","copy1":"An international year that ended with an extremely tough night against South Africa should not detract from his many notable achievements. Played a key role in Leinster\u2019s URC title, made the Lions squad and started the final two Tests. Back in Ireland, Porter won the Sports Book of the Year award for his memoir, \u2018Heart on My Sleeve\u2019. Capable of playing deep into games and very effective in the loose, he started his senior career at loosehead before being asked to switch to tighthead. When Tadhg Furlong was at his peak, he reverted back and has proved elite in both roles. Will be determined to prove his scrum working-over by South Africa was just a blip. PM","copy2":"Two years into the World Cup cycle, Porter has made the most starts, 19, of any Irish player. Until the November win over Australia, Porter had started 19 straight Tests when available for duty. Next highest for starts are Caelan Doris (18) and Josh van der Flier (17).","copy3":"\u201cAndrew is an outstanding, world-class talent\u2026 He has maintained a consistently high level of performance for club and country and his durability means he is a key figure in Irish rugby and will continue to be so.\u201d \u2013 David Humphreys, IRFU performance director","country":"IRFU","team":"73","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/216.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":62,"new":false,"move":-38,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"3031","name":"Samisoni Taukei'aho","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/samisoni-taukeiaho\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"26","copy1":"Pound for pound, there may not be a more damaging ball-carrying hooker than the All Black. It's only due to Codie Taylor's exceptional twilight rebirth that Taukei'aho isn't starting every game for New Zealand but the Tongan powerhouse took every opportunity off the pine (and when given rare starts in the No.2 jersey) to make an impact in 2025 - including grabbing two tries in 12 minutes against Argentina in Cordoba. Performances against Argentina and Wales, in particular, were a powerful reminder New Zealand has no shortage of talent at hooker and you suspect with an injury-free season behind him following a disrupted end to 2024, he will push Taylor for the starting berth next year. TV","copy2":"After not making a single appearance for the All Blacks in 2024 due to injury, Taukei'aho featured in all 13 Tests for New Zealand in 2025, highlighting his growing influence.","copy3":"\u201cWhat sets him apart is his character, his leadership and his focus. He's a good man, he helps others and he's also very focused on where he wants to get to, so he doesn't suffer fools very easily.\" Andrew Gibbs, Taukei'aho\u2019s head of rugby at St Paul\u2019s school, Hamilton","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3031.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":63,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/chiefs\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/404.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Chiefs"}]},{"id":"278","name":"Scott Barrett","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/scott-barrett\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"The All Blacks captain has struggled to find his groove over the past two seasons with young guns Tupou Vaa\u2019i and Fabian Holland catching the eye, while a leg injury early against Ireland in Chicago meant Barrett was never at his best in November. Yet he still remains one of the pre-eminent loosehead locks globally. The All Blacks scrum always looks better with him in situ. His industry was never found wanting, putting in two strong back-to-back efforts in the Rugby Championship against Argentina and South Africa. Questions, however, remain over Barrett\u2019s discipline, particularly in crucial moments. Does captaincy bring out the best in the 89-Test lock or is it an unnecessary burden? The jury is out. TV","copy2":"The 21 tackles made by Barrett against Argentina in Buenos Aires is the most made by an All Black in any single fixture in 2025.","copy3":"\u201cIf you\u2019re running around the rugby field and you want to know where your captain [Barrett] is, you look forward, because he\u2019s in front of you.\u201d Scott Hansen, New Zealand assistant coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/278.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"4","positionAlt":"Lock","number":64,"new":false,"move":-8,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"184","name":"Josua Tuisova","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/josua-tuisova\/","copy1":"Is there a better ball-carrier in world rugby? \u2018The Bus\u2019 is a terrifying blend of muscle and subtlety. He can pick the lock or simply crash through the door, with an illustrious list of top players rendered roadkill by his hulking frame. Even if he doesn\u2019t get the ball, his mere presence will always attract attention and create space for team-mates. That\u2019s a precious weapon. Fijians are notoriously strong but, the story goes, none stronger than the 31-year-old centre. The national staff had to ship in extra-heavy dumbbells just for Tuisova. He is reputed to calf-raise an obscene 180kg. Tuisova has re-signed at Racing 92 and remains one of the most destructive backs in Europe. JL","copy2":"During 2020, Tuisova beat an incredible 13 defenders in a single match for Lyon against Bayonne, scoring a hat-trick in the process.","copy3":"\u201cIf anyone has an A-Z on how to tackle Josua Tuisova, please send me it.\u201d Shaun Edwards, ex-Wales defence coach, after Tuisova tormented Wales in RWC19.","country":"Fiji","team":"11","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/184.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":65,"new":false,"move":-20,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/fiji\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Fiji.png.webp","alt":"Fiji"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/racing-92\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/211.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Racing 92"}]},{"id":"1039","name":"Cobus Reinach","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jacobus-reinach\/","copy1":"Jacobus Reinach Snr, lightning-quick winger for the Springboks in the 1980s, also held the South African 400m record for 16 years. Cobus Jnr has drawn comparisons with his genetically-gifted father since his Test debut in 2014, but it\u2019s only more recently that inherent speed and agility have been truly harnessed. The Boks now play at a greater tempo and Reinach has been tasked with boosting their ruck speed and posing a threat to opposition defences around the fringes. Even at 35, the scrum-half isn\u2019t showing signs of age. He scored five Test tries in 2025 and formed a potent half-back partnership with Stormers team-mate Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu \u2013 12 years his junior. JC","copy2":"Some 28% of Reinach's kicks from hand this year were retained by a team-mate, the best rate of the 20 players to put boot to ball more than 50 times for a Tier One nation; he also gained 84 metres from pick-and-go carries this year, more than any other scrum-half. ","copy3":"\u201cCobus has been unbelievable this year. He\u2019s taken on a role where he is helping the other nines, but I\u2019ve never seen him so involved with planning and tactics. He\u2019s a top man.\u201d \u2013 Duane Vermeulen, Springbok assistant coach","country":"South Africa","team":"33","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1039.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"9","positionAlt":"Scrum Half","number":66,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/stormers\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/413.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Stormers"}]},{"id":"4846","name":"Angus Bell","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/angus-bell\/","copy1":"Bell was a beacon of light during the Wallabies\u2019 otherwise disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign. He stood out as a bullocking ball-carrier with a relentless motor, who was also a fierce competitor at the set-piece \u2013 and the loosehead has shown no signs of slowing down. Joe Schmidt used Bell as an impact player in nine matches to start the season, before starting the prop in all five Tests on tour. He scored tries against Italy and France. With the Wallabies\u2019 all-time appearance record-holder James Slipper retiring after the Bledisloe Cup series in October, Australia have already found their long-term battering ram up front. FM","copy2":"Bell has beaten 3.1 defenders per match since his Australia debut in 2020. more than any other Rugby Championship or Six Nations tight-five forward (min. 500 minutes). Bell beat 20 defenders for Australia in 2025, almost three times as many as any other Tier One prop, while none scored more tries (three), gained more meters (197) or made more line-breaks (three, level with Pierre Schoeman), than the Wallaby.","copy3":"\u201cYou don\u2019t use this word lightly, but he is a world-class loosehead prop\u2026 he is the future of Australian rugby and if he can stay fit and healthy, he\u2019ll have a bright future,\u201d - Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles in 2023.","country":"Australia","team":"75","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4846.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"1","positionAlt":"Prop","number":67,"new":false,"move":22,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/australia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Australia.png.webp","alt":"Australia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/ulster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/313.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Ulster"}]},{"id":"1879","name":"Garry Ringrose","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/garry-ringrose\/","copy1":"His biggest contribution to rugby this year came when he made the decision to self-report symptoms of concussion after being named in the Lions team for the second Test against Australia. That call would ultimately cost him a Lions Test appearance he had fully earned. \u201cYou only want the best for the team, at the end of the day,\u201d he said. Is often deployed \u2013 like Brian O\u2019Driscoll was \u2013 to shoot out of the defensive line, block passing channels and force errors. Received a first red card of his career in a Six Nations win over Wales, for a high tackle on Ben Thomas, but returned to tear it up for Leinster in the Champions Cup, and played a pivotal role in their URC title triumph. PM","copy2":"The 20-minute red card Ringrose received in this year\u2019s Six Nations game against Wales was the first of his career, and only his second caution. The previous one was a yellow card in a 2019 Champions Cup win over Northampton.","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s so underestimated and undervalued. He\u2019s so strong defensively and makes good reads all the time, and good decisions.\u201d \u2013 Jean de Villiers, former Springboks centre","country":"IRFU","team":"73","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1879.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"13","positionAlt":"Centre","number":68,"new":false,"move":3,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"612","name":"Marcus Smith","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/marcus-smith\/","copy1":"A steep drop from No.17 last year underlines how the fortunes of the Harlequin have waned. His opportunities were restricted with the No.10 jersey seemingly blocked off and Smith used predominantly as backline bench cover instead. Every time he does appear you are reminded of his gifts, though. His early introduction off the bench against New Zealand at full-back in November benefited England with the introduction of another playmaker. It was a frustrating personal year with the national team, but he did become a Test Lion in Australia. NS","copy2":"Since the start of the 2023-24 Gallagher Prem season, Smith has beaten more defenders (92) than any other fly-half in the league.","copy3":"\u201cI coached Quade Cooper at the Reds and I think they\u2019re very similar. Some people call them mavericks but they\u2019ve just got that genuine point of difference. They see the game quicker than others.\u201d - Jason Gilmore, Harlequins senior coach","country":"England","team":"56","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/612.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":69,"new":false,"move":-52,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/harlequins\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/105.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Harlequins"}]},{"id":"5328","name":"Emmanuel Meafou","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/emmanuel-meafou\/","copy1":"\u2018Manny\u2019, as he is known at Toulouse, is rediscovering his best form this season for club and country. The giant New Zealand-born lock was first capped by France against Wales in the 2024 Six Nations and his 22 stones made an immediate impression on soft Welsh shoulders. Meafou lost a little of his sparkle in 2024-25 but Toulouse coach Ugo Mola identified the problem, telling the 27-year-old: \u201cEnjoy yourself, let yourself go, play your game, there's no pressure.\u201d This season Meafou is back to his best, carrying well and also, remarkably for such a big man, winning turnovers for Toulouse. GM","copy2":"Meafou\u2019s tally of nine tries in the 2022-23 Top 14 season was the most by a Toulouse player.","copy3":"\u201cHe has the ability not just to make the hard yards, but to make that extra pass, to get around the park and to do a lot of defensive work.\u201d - Ugo Mola, Toulouse head coach","country":"France","team":"74","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5328.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"5","positionAlt":"Lock","number":70,"new":false,"move":-15,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"5330","name":"Kurt-Lee Arendse","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/kurt-lee-arendse\/","copy1":"Arendse once worked as a butcher in his hometown of Paarl, before going on to represent the Blitzboks, the Bulls, and eventually the Springboks. While he\u2019s left that profession behind for good since winning the 2023 World Cup and back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, the \u201cButcher\u201d moniker has stuck, thanks in large part to his ability to tear opposition defences to shreds, as well as his knack for cutting much larger defenders down to size. Since his debut against Wales in 2022, Arendse has become one of the Boks\u2019 most prolific try-scorers, scoring 23 times in 30 Tests. While injury curtailed his involvement in 2025, he still managed five tries in six matches. JC","copy2":"Arendse made 11 line-breaks in just 428 minutes of Test rugby this year. His average of 2.1 line-breaks per 80 minutes was the best rate of any Tier One player (min. 320 minutes).","copy3":"\u201cKurt-Lee is becoming one of the world\u2019s class players. He\u2019s probably one of the best in a small space and able to dominate physically as well. People always look at their size and say we\u2019ve got small wings, but they\u2019ve got big hearts.\u201d \u2013 Mzwandile Stick, Springboks assistant coach","country":"South Africa","team":"31","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5330.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":71,"new":false,"move":-52,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bulls\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/403.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Bulls"}]},{"id":"208","name":"Josh Van der Flier","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/josh-van-der-flier\/","copy1":"Came up big for Leinster last season as they put aside recent near misses to win the URC. His try against the Bulls put Leinster out of reach in the final and he set the tone with trademark dominant tackles and turnovers. Had his first taste of captaincy earlier this season with Leinster. \u201cLast time I was captaining a side was in sixth year in school for a cricket final,\u201d he quipped. Still the defensive tempo-setter for club and country, the 2022 World Rugby player of the year made his first Lions squad but lost out on a Test spot to Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Jac Morgan. Sky-high numbers for turnovers, line-breaks and tries are slowly coming down, but Van der Flier remains a key component for Leinster and Ireland. PM","copy2":"Van der Flier has the joint-most tries of any Ireland back-row with 13 \u2013 level with Jamie Heaslip. Only current team-mate Dan Sheehan (16) and iconic hooker Keith Wood (15) are ahead of him on the all-time list for Irish forwards. ","copy3":"\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t surprise me if Josh is still playing at 36, 37. He\u2019s a phenomenal athlete.\u201d \u2013 Former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan","country":"IRFU","team":"73","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/208.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"7","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":72,"new":false,"move":-37,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"545","name":"Julian Montoya","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/julian-montoya\/","copy1":"A Test centurion at 32, Montoya is embarking on a new career in French rugby with Pau after five talismanic seasons at Welford Road. Logic would dictate he is slowing down, but that is a concept he simply fails to understand. He continues to play with the enthusiasm of a debutant and in 2025 played a staggering 924 of the 1040 minutes in Argentina\u2019s 13 Tests. Now in his sixth year as Pumas captain, he continues to be a standout in almost every game. You know what you get from the hooker \u2013 relentless drive, a strong scrum, and leadership skills of the type you want in combat. Lineout efficiency wobbled on occasion, but it took nothing away from his effervescent performances. FD","copy2":"Against Australia in the Rugby Championship, Montoya overtook Agustin Creevy (48) as the man to have captained Argentina on the most occasions. He has now led them 54 times.","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s as good a player as there is in world rugby right now. An incredible leader, wants to win, gets people around him galvanised. You can see the heartbeat of their team is him.\" Richard Wigglesworth, England assistant coach","country":"Argentina","team":"84","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/545.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":73,"new":false,"move":9,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/pau\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/210.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Pau"}]},{"id":"3638","name":"Hugo Keenan","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/hugo-keenan\/","copy1":"Reportedly the quickest player in Farrell\u2019s squad, Keenan\u2019s ability to cover so much ground in the backfield often means Ireland can press 14 men up. Used effectively on the kick-chase he can pick lines through the best defences. Supporters of the other \u2018home\u2019 nations got to see what makes Keenan so highly regarded in Ireland with the try that secured a Test series win over Australia. The full-back\u2019s work-rate, attacking awareness, pace and determination were all on show as he finished off the Wallabies at the MCG. An ongoing hip injury hampered his year but will return in 2026 after undergoing surgery. PM","copy2":"Keenan was one of just two British and Irish Lions to play every minute of this year\u2019s Test series against Australia, alongside Tadhg Beirne.","copy3":"\u201cGetting that try (against Australia), it couldn\u2019t happen to a better man. He was the people\u2019s champion of the tour. Everyone was absolutely buzzing for him.\u201d \u2013 Jamie George, England and Lions hooker","country":"IRFU","team":"73","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3638.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":74,"new":false,"move":-20,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"249","name":"Blair Kinghorn","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/blair-kinghorn\/","copy1":"Scotland\u2019s elegant full-back ended 2025 on a trying note; having carried an injury into the Lions tour and fallen short of seizing the Test 15 shirt, he found himself playing in three positions for Toulouse before a quieter than expected autumn. His quality, though, cannot be questioned. Ended the Six Nations with the most metres, carries and line-breaks of anyone, and added a second Top 14 crown to his CV. Touted as the Lions\u2019 form full-back pre-injury, his impact from the bench on the second Test was telling and he started the third on the wing. Deceptively quick with his loping stride and a shrewd footballer with the brain, arsenal and dexterity to play fly-half, he is an essential cog in Scotland\u2019s backline. JL","copy2":"Kinghorn averaged 92m carried per game for Scotland in 2025, the most of any Tier One player to play more than once, while also registering the most offloads per game (2.9).","copy3":"\u201cHis physical attributes - his speed, size, height, ability to dominate space in the air, to catch a ball above his head - and his skillset - his distribution, his timing on to the ball, his kicking - is excellent. As a 15, you need to be an all-round package, and he's got the lot.\u201d Chris Paterson, Scotland\u2019s record points-scorer","country":"Scotland","team":"74","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/249.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":75,"new":false,"move":-13,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"4667","name":"Louis Rees-Zammit","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/louis-rees-zammit\/","copy1":"After his aborted 18-month sojourn to the NFL, Rees-Zammit returned to rugby in August. Few can blame him for chasing a dream, but it took seven seconds for his social media naysayers to eat humble pie. That\u2019s how long it took him to go through the gears and glide over the whitewash from 73m against Leicester. Rees-Zammit 2.0 is more power-packed than the original iteration, taking more contact and bouncing defenders. Also able to deputise at 15, he showed against New Zealand he could mix it with the elite, with a brilliant finish in the corner, nifty footwork to bamboozle Caleb Clarke and a physics-defying offload late on, dropping jaws. When the ring-rust is shorn, Rees-Zammit has the X-factor to climb higher next year. OJ","copy2":"Rees-Zammit hit 23.57mph when scoring against Leicester Tigers, breaking Bristol\u2019s training ground speed limit and outpacing England wing Ollie Hassell-Collins.","copy3":"\u201cHe will evolve. He will only get better the more Tests he plays.\u201d Justin Marshall, former All Black","country":"Wales","team":"54","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/4667.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":76,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/wales\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Wales.png.webp","alt":"Wales"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bristol\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/102.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Bristol"}]},{"id":"263","name":"Beauden Barrett","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/beauden-barrett\/","copy1":"Gone is the ball-running 'fine, I'll do it myself' Barrett of yesteryear; in his place stands a more considered, more strategic fly-half. Still capable of the odd moment of magic on the counter, it's Barrett's short passing game and adherence to the game-plan which earned the 34-year-old 10 starts in the All Blacks No.10 shirt in 2025 - a clear sign he's Scott Robertson's first-choice playmaker (at least, perhaps, until Richie Mo'unga returns to New Zealand in 2026). It seems inevitable the veteran, with 144 caps, will eclipse Richie McCaw (148) and Sam Whitelock (153) next year as New Zealand\u2019s most capped player. Could he one day even surpass the 170-cap Alun Wyn Jones? Rugby\u2019s Benjamin Button will give it his best. TV","copy2":"Barrett assisted 15 line-breaks for the All Blacks this year, more than any other Tier One player. ","copy3":"\u201cBeauden Barrett is a two-time World Rugby player of the year, I don\u2019t know why people doubt him. He\u2019s an unbelievable 10. I think the balance he brings to a game, when he kicks, when he plays, when he takes the line on, the speed that he\u2019s got, it\u2019s unbelievable.\u201d Victor Matfield, former South Africa captain","country":"New Zealand","team":"27","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/263.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":77,"new":false,"move":-66,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/blues\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/401.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Blues"}]},{"id":"3463","name":"Darcy Graham","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/darcy-graham\/","copy1":"A wiry little Scot who thrives in rugby\u2019s bruising land of giants with his mesmeric footwork, searing speed and sheer bloody-mindedness. Graham wins duels he has no business winning and scores tries he has no business scoring. Many Scots felt he should have been a Lion from the outset, so when, as a late call-up, he was invalided out of the tour minutes into his debut, the nation shed tears with him. An endearing figure of rich talent, a bonny personality and competitive rage, almost a metaphor for Scotland\u2019s fight to break into rugby\u2019s elite top bracket. No Scotland player has scored more hat-tricks than the Edinburgh wing or crossed the try-line at Murrayfield on more occasions. JL","copy2":"Graham has run in a prolific 22 tries in his past 19 Tests since scoring against New Zealand in November 2022, taking his overall tally for Scotland to 34 in 50 Tests. ","copy3":"\u201cI walked onto the field with Darcy and the pitch felt pretty good, and I told him, \u2018this is your playground\u2019. Because usually every time we play at Murrayfield, Darcy's going crazy - and he went crazy again today.\u201d Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland captain, after Graham\u2019s four-try display against Fiji in November 2024.","country":"Scotland","team":"68","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3463.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":78,"new":false,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/edinburgh\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/305.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Edinburgh"}]},{"id":"553","name":"Marcos Kremer","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/marcos-kremer\/","copy1":"It\u2019s not hard to imagine that whenever Los Pumas name their starting XV, opposing players scour the team sheet in the hope Kremer will be rested and watching from the stands. No-one wants to be hurtling into the adamantine flanker who doesn\u2019t recognise the term \u2018pain barrier\u2019. His contribution is colossal; a fearsome defender, it is not just that he stops ball-carriers\u2019 momentum; he mangles the opposition with his formidable 1.98m (6ft 6in) and 118kgs (18st 8lb) frame, smashes into rucks with controlled aggression and relishes physical combat in the tight. A bearded Latin enforcer not to be crossed. FD","copy2":"Kremer made 97 tackles in this year's Rugby Championship, 11 more than the next best player (Fraser McReight - 86).","copy3":"\u201cTackling is natural in him as he is a player that always give everything. You can see his full commitment in every game he plays. He is a very loyal player.\u201d - Bautista Delguy, Clermont and Argentina team-mate","country":"Argentina","team":"72","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/553.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":79,"new":false,"move":9,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/clermont\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/205.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Clermont"}]},{"id":"202","name":"Bundee Aki","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/bundee-aki\/","copy1":"Made his second Lions tour and featured in all three Test matches. Aki\u2019s wife Kayla gave birth to their daughter, \u00c1ine, in a taxi on the way to a hospital in New Zealand, hours before Aki appeared in the first Test. \u201cI knew it was good \u2018Juju\u2019 he said. \u201cI knew we were going to have a good day.\u201d His powers may be on the wane at 35, but he is still capable of big, bruising performances. Indeed, Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby, in his interim head coach role, used Aki five times off the bench this year. We could see more of this, perhaps even in a hybrid replacement role, if Ireland want to ride the Aki train all the way to the 2027 RWC. PM","copy2":"After 19 Test starts in a row, we may be moving into the latter stages of Aki\u2019s international career. The Connacht centre\u2019s last 10 appearances for Ireland have been evenly split, five apiece, between starting and having the No.23 jersey.","copy3":"\u201cIf Brad Pitt came to Galway and him and Bundee were walking down Shop Street, people would be flocking around, asking Bundee for photos. It\u2019s crazy. People just love him down here.\u201d \u2013 Mack Hansen, Connacht and Ireland team-mate","country":"IRFU","team":"83","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/202.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"12","positionAlt":"Centre","number":80,"new":false,"move":-52,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/connacht\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/304.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Connacht"}]},{"id":"1397","name":"Julien Marchand","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/julien-marchand\/","country":"France","team":"74","copy1":"Toulouse knew they had a special player when they nominated Marchand as one of their captains in 2018 at the age of 23. He made his Test debut in November that year and has now amassed 48 caps. It would be more but for injury and his competition for the No.2 jersey with Toulouse team-mate Peato Mauvaka. Though he lacks his rival\u2019s speed around the park, Marchand is reliable in the set-piece and a nuisance at the breakdown with his knack of securing vital turnovers. A leader who captained Toulouse to two of their last four\u00a0Top 14 final victories, in 2021 and 2025, Marchand started all three of France\u2019s November Tests and was one of Les Bleus\u2019 most consistent performers. - GM","copy2":"Marchand found a team-mate from 61 of his 62 lineout throws for France in 2025; his 98.4% success rate was the best of any Tier One hooker (min. 20 throws).\u2028","copy3":"\u201cHe doesn't hesitate to give his all, to devote himself entirely to the team. We're lucky to have players like him.\u201d -\u00a0William Servat, France assistant coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1397.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":81,"new":false,"move":-2,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"5235","name":"Fletcher Newell","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/fletcher-newell\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"Ongoing injury issues for Tyrel Lomax throughout the season meant Newell became a permanent fixture for the All Blacks in 2025, featuring in all 13 matches - with nine of those appearances coming in the No.3 jersey. Part of the \u2018new breed\u2019 of props that New Zealand have developed over the past five years: a balanced ball carrier, a significant force at the breakdown and not averse to popping up in the backfield as a link player. Still just 25, Newell is still a relative baby for a tighthead and there were times where his inexperience saw him undone at the scrum by more savvy operators. A breakthrough year however, and big things are expected from Newell in 2026. - TV","copy2":"Newell, who won New Zealand Rugby\u2019s Age-Grade Player of the Year in 2019 - the only prop to ever receive the award \u2013 recently set a new Crusaders\u2019 squat record with a lift of over 300kg, smashing the previous best by around 30kg.","copy3":"\u201cHe's a man that doesn't say much\u2026but when he does, he does so with authority.\u201d Codie Taylor, All Blacks hooker","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5235.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":82,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"5561","name":"Davit Niniashvili","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/davit-niniashvili\/","country":"Georgia","team":"14","copy1":"2025 has been a year of upheaval for the jet-heeled Georgian. He swapped the gastronomic delights of Lyon to dine at the top table of European rugby with Ronan O\u2019Gara\u2019s La Rochelle - a sure sign that his star is in the ascendency. Able to switch from full-back to wing with ease, the Tbilisi-born flyer is the kind of rapier tool Georgia used to struggle to produce but his footwork, derring-do to attack from deep and balletic instincts under the high-ball mark him out as one of the premier back-three talents in world rugby. Still just 23, Niniashvili told RugbyPass that his goal was to spearhead Los Lelos\u2019 path to the World Cup quarter-finals in Australia, and few would bet against him. - OJ","copy2":"Niniashvili assisted 10 tries in the Rugby Europe Championship this year, twice as many as any other player, also ranking top for line-break assists (11) and defenders beaten (30).","copy3":"\u201cI really enjoy Nini's style of rugby. He's young, ambitious and carefree when it comes to rugby. A kid who is super eager to learn and always putting in 100%. He has a massive, massive future in the Top 14.\u201d Lima Sopoaga, former All Black.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5561.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":83,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/georgia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Georgia.png.webp","alt":"Georgia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/la-rochelle\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/206.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Stade Rochelais"}]},{"id":"944","name":"Alex Mitchell","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/alex-mitchell\/","country":"England","team":"60","copy1":"When England lost 228 caps of experience with the retirements of Danny Care and Ben Youngs, the fall was softer due to the emergence of Mitchell. The Northampton Saint has been the metronome around which Steve Borthwick\u2019s men revolve. His speed of thought and deed \u2013 always looking to snipe around the fringes or fire a pass off both sides to a willing attacker \u2013 maintain the tempo which has propelled England to No. 3 in the world rankings. A gifted enough footballer to have trials with both Manchester City and United, the Lancastrian is part of golden generation of Saints. Rewarded with a place on the Lions tour, he featured in more games than any other player. - OJ","copy2":"Mitchell was named in the match-day 23 for all 10 matches of the British & Irish Lions\u2019 tour of Australia. He started two, against Argentina and NSW Waratahs, came off the bench in six \u2013 including the first and third Tests \u2013 and was an unused replacement in the other two.","copy3":"\u201cAn amazing attacking threat. I compare him to like a little rat. He's always sniffing around looking for opportunities. He's a very instinctive player and he could spark something for England.\u201d Dylan Hartley, former England captain","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/944.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"9","positionAlt":"Scrum Half","number":84,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/northampton\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/109.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Northampton"}]},{"id":"541","name":"Pablo Matera","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/pablo-matera\/","country":"Argentina","team":"304","copy1":"Being named MVP when Argentina finally beat the All Blacks at home speaks volumes for veteran Matera and his continued commitment to Los Pumas. An international since 2012 and former captain, he leads from the front in perfect unison with current captain Juli\u00e1n Montoya. Wisely he has chosen to play in Japan, where the attrition rate he puts his body through in every game is lower. This has given him a new lease of life and playing as a starter, or a finisher, he is one of those players that, ball-in-hand, lifts the crowd. Although he hasn\u2019t said so specifically, he will certainly continue to fight in the hope of playing at RWC27, which would be his fourth tournament. FD","copy2":"Of the 29 forwards to hit 15+ defensive rucks in The Rugby Championship this year, Matera boasted the best ruck effectiveness rate (24%).","copy3":"\u201cPablo is one of the premier loose forwards in world rugby. He's got a great mindset to training. An awesome pro.\u201d Scott Robertson, All Blacks head coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/541.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"6","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":85,"new":false,"move":9,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/argentina\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Argentina.png.webp","alt":"Argentina"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/mie-honda-heat\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/10005202.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Mie Honda Heat"}]},{"id":"1637","name":"Romain Ntamack","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/romain-ntamack\/","country":"France","team":"74","copy1":"France\u2019s gifted fly-half is working his way back towards top form after a difficult couple of years. Ntamack struggled through a persistent knee injury last season, playing through the pain to help Toulouse win their third consecutive Top 14 title. He underwent some clean-up surgery on the knee in the summer of 2025 and started France\u2019s three autumn internationals. Ntamack\u2019s most accomplished performance was in the 48-33 defeat of Australia, when his precision passing was key to three of Les Bleus\u2019 tries. Still only 26, Ntamack\u2019s pace, vision and defence will be crucial for France in RWC 2027. - GM","copy2":"Ntamack has 40 caps and he stays fit and in form in 2026, he will overtake his father Emile\u2019s tally of 46 Test appearances.","copy3":"\u201cRomain sacrifices himself for the squad, he plays for the team.\u201d\u00a0- Fabien Galthi\u00e9, France coach, November 2025","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1637.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"10","positionAlt":"Fly Half","number":86,"new":false,"move":-37,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"391","name":"Tomos Williams","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tomos-williams\/","country":"Wales","team":"55","copy1":"So long a deputy to Rhys Webb and Gareth Davies, in the last 18 months Williams has made good on his natural talent to become a talisman for Gloucester and Wales. Won the Premiership Player of the Season award for a highlights reel of jaw-dropping flicks, feints and flabbergasting finishing, with a \u2018no look\u2019 basketball-style pass to set up Seb Atkinson against Bristol going viral. His form saw him selected for the Lions tour as one of only two Welshmen and despite starting strongly, a hamstring injury stopped him from challenging for a Test spot. His game management, leadership and raw ability have seen the likes of Saracens circling for his signature next season. - OJ","copy2":"Williams assisted 25% of Wales' tries this year (7\/28); no other Tier One player assisted as high a proportion of their team\u2019s tries in 2025.","copy3":"\u201cI like Tomos because he has a bit of dog about him. On the field he can be a nasty piece of work which you need from your nine.\u201d - Jonathan Davies, former Wales fly-half","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/391.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"9","positionAlt":"Scrum Half","number":87,"new":false,"move":12,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/wales\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Wales.png.webp","alt":"Wales"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/gloucester\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/104.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Gloucester"}]},{"id":"323","name":"Wilco Louw","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/wilco-louw\/","country":"South Africa","team":"31","copy1":"Even by South African rugby standards, Louw is a bear of a man at 1.85m (6ft 1in) and 144kg (22st 9lb). With double World Cup winners Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch missing most of the international season through injuries, the Bulls tighthead prop received more opportunities in the Springboks jersey and was one of the star performers for a dominant pack that scrummed allcomers into submission. Criticised in the early days of his career for a perceived lack of mobility, the 31-year-old made some telling contributions around the park for the Boks this season and crossed the tryline twice on the recent tour of Europe. - JC","copy2":"South Africa won a penalty at 19 scrums this year when Louw was in the front row - no Tier One prop was involved in as many penalty-winning scrums. Louw also featured in more Tests for the Boks than any other player in 2025, starting four and playing a further nine off the bench as an integral member of the \u2018Bomb Squad\u2019.","copy3":" \u201cGiven his size, some may write him off as slow and cumbersome, but he\u2019s a much better athlete than some give him credit for. Granted, he doesn\u2019t talk much but when he does, you know it comes from the heart and he absolutely loves his rugby.\u201d \u2013 Jake White, former Bulls coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/323.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":88,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/bulls\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/403.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Bulls"}]},{"id":"7496","name":"Jiuta Wainiqolo","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/jiuta-wainiqolo\/","country":"Fiji","team":"13","copy1":"The box-office Fijian embarks on slashing runs like an Alpine skier slaloming down a slope. Danced and swerved his way to 17 tries in the calendar year, including scores against Scotland \u2013 in a brilliant Fiji victory - and France, in a creditable defeat last month. Wainiqolo, 26, wept when he played his last Toulon game at Stade Mayol this summer. As a non-JIFF player, he was denied the starting minutes his talent merits, so left for Lyon a year before the end of his contract and yet has continued his blistering form. He places among the Top 14\u2019s best for running metres, tackle breaks and offloads, and his seven tries from as many league matches put him second in the scoring charts. - JL","copy2":"As of 5 December, Wainiqolo averages a try every 114 minutes of rugby in 2025.","copy3":"\u201cHe's an X-factor player. When he's in that kind of form, he's unstoppable.\u201d Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach after Wainiqolo scored a stunning double against Bordeaux Begles.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/7496.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":89,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/fiji\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Fiji.png.webp","alt":"Fiji"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/lyon\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/207.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Lyon"}]},{"id":"1890","name":"Zander Fagerson","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/zander-fagerson\/","country":"Scotland","team":"66","copy1":"Scotland\u2019s most important forward. Perhaps their most important player full stop. The astonishing industry, dynamism and excellence of the Glasgow Warrior was sorely missed by Scotland during their headline November Tests. Persistent calf and knee problems denied him a second Lions tour and kept him out for seven months. Scotland lost not only his destructive scrummaging, but his relentlessness around the paddock too. On his comeback against Tonga, Fagerson, 29, made 11 carries for 56m and seven tackles in just 47 minutes. Routinely goes the distance for club and country, certainly more often than any other Tier One prop, posting eye-watering numbers in open play. - JL","copy2":"Fagerson made a combined 306 carries, tackles and ruck hits in 2025 (68 carries, 50 tackles, 188 rucks) - an average of 61 per 80 minutes, the most of any prop and the second most of any Tier One player overall, behind Jac Morgan (63).","copy3":"\u201cLook, he's a bit of a physical freak in terms of his engine. Guys his size don't usually have the ability to get up off the deck and scrum and maul and carry the way he does. He gets through a mountain of work. He really sets the bar.\u201d Matt Fagerson, younger brother and fellow Scotland international.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1890.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":90,"new":false,"move":-15,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/glasgow\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/306.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Glasgow"}]},{"id":"8658","name":"Max Jorgensen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/max-jorgensen\/","country":"Australia","team":"36","copy1":"Max Jorgensen announced himself as an international star in November 2024, scoring with a swan dive in the 83rd minute to sink England at Twickenham\u2019s Allianz Stadium. \u2018Jorgo\u2019 has gone from a young, impactful bench player to bona fide superstar in the Wallabies\u2019 starting side. The 22-year-old scored two tries against the Lions earlier this year and was influential in Australia\u2019s comeback win over South Africa in Johannesburg. Jorgensen has played on the wing and at full-back for Joe Schmidt\u2019s side and he can expect to play a key role in the team\u2019s run to a home Rugby World Cup in 2027. FM","copy2":"Jorgensen made the most line-breaks (7) of any player against the British & Irish Lions in a single tour since Opta started collecting that data.","copy3":"\u201cHe\u2019s just naturally gifted with his skillset, and then he\u2019s blessed with incredible athleticism and speed. He\u2019s starting to find his feet now,\u201d NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/8658.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":91,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/australia\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Australia.png.webp","alt":"Australia"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/waratahs\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/415.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927735","alt":"Waratahs"}]},{"id":"810","name":"Luke Cowan-Dickie","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/luke-cowan-dickie\/","country":"England","team":"61","copy1":"Cowan-Dickie\u2019s ascent back to the top of the international game in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. Unable to lift his right arm after surgery left him with nerve damage, he was unsure he\u2019d ever regain his strength to play professional, let alone Test rugby. The former Exeter Chiefs hooker saw a move to Montpellier fall through over fitness concerns and was handed a career lifeline by Alex Sanderson at Sale Sharks. A stellar season saw him leapfrog Theo Dan and Jamie George into the England No.2 shirt and selected for the Lions. Last month he celebrated a 50th cap against Australia. Formerly No.1 in the world at Call of Duty, the teak-tough Cornishman has taken to golf to sate his addictive personality. - OJ","copy2":"Cowan-Dickie has scored 14 tries in 31 matches for Sale Sharks in Prem Rugby since his debut in November 2023 - an average of 0.45 tries per game, the best rate of any hooker in the league. He has scored 66 tries overall in his professional career.","copy3":"\u201cHis boundless energy is matched only by his frenzied commitment to his craft and his mates. Mark my words, the best of Luke Cowan-Dickie is yet to come.\u201d - Alex Sanderson, Sale Sharks Director of Rugby","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/810.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"2","positionAlt":"Hooker","number":92,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/england\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/England.png.webp","alt":"England"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sale\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/110.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927733","alt":"Sale"}]},{"id":"3472","name":"Leicester Fainga'anuku","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/leicester-faingaanuku\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"There is almost nothing conventional about the way Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku\u2019s career is playing out, or indeed about how things transpired for him in 2025. Fainga\u2019anuku was persuaded to return to New Zealand this year, having left for Toulon in 2023. At the core of his game is his raw power \u2013 he came home from France at 112kg (17st 9lb) \u2013 and revealed that he would often play the last quarter of Top 14 games at openside flanker. What position he ends up playing for the All Blacks seems a secondary consideration as Robertson has said a few times that with Fainga\u2019anuku, he just wants him on the field and with the ball in his hands. - GP","copy2":"Fainga'anuku beat 17 defenders from his 36 carries for New Zealand in 2025, beating a defender every 2.1 carries on average - the best rate of any All Black. He also scored tries in four separate competitions: the Top 14, the Champions Cup, the NPC and the Quilter Autumn Nations Series for the All Blacks.","copy3":"\u201cI know Scott Robertson. He had already warned me, when he signed here, that he was young and he would like to get him back. Maybe in the future, I will be able to get him back too.\u201d - Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach ","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3472.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"13","positionAlt":"Centre","number":93,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"1347","name":"Charles Ollivon","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/charles-ollivon\/","country":"France","team":"10","copy1":"It\u2019s been a tough year for the 32-year-old Ollivon. A week into 2025, the Toulon loose forward tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee in a Top 14 match, an injury that kept him out of action until September. Such is his importance to France as a player and leader, he was recalled to the squad for the November international against Fiji. At 6ft 6ins, he started in the second row and was outstanding; perhaps a hint of things to come given the competition for places in the back row and the shortage of quality locks in France. - GM","copy2":"Ollivon scored his 17th international try in his comeback Test against Fiji, extending his record as France's leading forward try-scorer.","copy3":"\u201cI've rarely seen a player who is so strong and athletically complete\u2026 we missed him enormously last season during the final phase.\u201d - Pierre Mignoni, Toulon coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/1347.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"8","positionAlt":"Back Row","number":94,"new":false,"move":-51,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/france\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/France.png.webp","alt":"France"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulon\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/213.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulon"}]},{"id":"5241","name":"Tamaiti Williams","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tamaiti-williams\/","country":"New Zealand","team":"30","copy1":"The 25-year-old Williams made his Test debut in 2023, and at 145kg (almost 23st), he became the heaviest All Black in history. His size is awe-inspiring, but it is the way he uses it to so effectively that matters. There was no better demonstration of his devastating power than the try he scored in Cardiff, where he drove through three Welsh defenders from five metres out. Williams has become a world class scrummaging loose-head with the all-round dynamism and athleticism to carry strongly, make big tackles and win turnovers, which is why New Zealand Rugby have locked him into a four-year contract extension. - GP","copy2":"Williams has scored five tries for New Zealand since making his debut in 2023, including two in this year\u2019s Quilter Nations Series, more than any other Tier One prop in that time.","copy3":"\u201cWe know he\u2019s a world-class player, without doubt. He\u2019s proven that time and again. He\u2019s still going through his growth and evolution as a young man in the front row, and he\u2019ll get better. By the end of his career, he will have stamped his mark deeply on the game, there\u2019s no doubt.\u201d- Crusaders coach Rob Penney ","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/5241.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":95,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/new-zealand\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/New-Zealand.png.webp","alt":"New Zealand"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/crusaders\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/405.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Crusaders"}]},{"id":"3772","name":"Mack Hansen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/mackenzie-hansen\/","country":"IRFU","team":"83","copy1":"His 27-minute hat-trick against Australia shows why Andy Farrell will always do his damnedest to crowbar Hansen into starting XVs. The Connacht winger thanked Farrell by getting a tattoo of his coach, on his calf, after winning the 2023 Grand Slam. Reads the game so well that he can turn an innocuous kick or bouncing ball into a try. Made the Lions squad but a foot injury cost him a place in the Test series against the Aussies. Surety under the high ball \u2013 showcased as early as his second Ireland appearance, against France, in 2022 \u2013 and previous fly-half experience in Australia helps with his tactical kicking. Proved he was more than capable as a Test full-back in November. - PM","copy2":"Hansen\u2019s hat-trick against the Wallabies, in his first start for Ireland in the No.15 jersey, brought his tally to 15 tries in 30 Tests, averaging a try every other game. ","copy3":"\u201cMack was playing some of the best rugby of his life on that Lions tour. He was the form back-three player and a man on a mission to play against his home nation. For that to be taken away from him (by injury) was cruel.\u201d \u2013 Hugo Keenan, Ireland and Lions full-back","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/3772.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"11","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":96,"new":false,"move":1,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/connacht\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/304.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Connacht"}]},{"id":"2242","name":"Andre Esterhuizen","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/andre-esterhuizen\/","country":"South Africa","team":"17","copy1":"Esterhuizen once baulked at the idea of making a permanent switch to the back row, at the request of former Sharks coach Jake White. He forged a successful career at inside centre with Sharks and Harlequins, winning the Premiership in 2021. But for much of his Test career, Esterhuizen\u2019s path was blocked by first-choice Damian de Allende and other versatile players such as Damian Willemse. When Rassie Erasmus offered Esterhuizen the chance to alternate between centre and flank in a new hybrid role, he grabbed it with both hands. Made some powerful contributions from the side of the scrum on their recent tour before moving to centre and claiming Player of the Match against Wales. - JC","copy2":"Esterhuizen\u2019s featured in 11 of the Boks\u2019 15 games this season and was used as a specialist flank on six occasions. Overall, the hybrid player scored five Test tries.","copy3":"\u201cHaving Andre float between the forwards and backs is crucial for us going forward. I think his ability to scrum more, carry with the forwards, but then defend or attack with the backs is a massive advantage for us. He's a one-man wrecking machine.\u201d \u2013 Tony Brown, Springbok attack coach","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2242.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"12","positionAlt":"Centre","number":97,"new":true,"move":0,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/south-africa\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/South-Africa.png.webp","alt":"South Africa"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/sharks\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/412.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Sharks"}]},{"id":"6656","name":"Ange Capuozzo","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/ange-capuozzo\/","country":"Italy","team":"74","copy1":"Capuozzo is built like a whippet; slender and light and barely 82kg and yet his capacity to put stronger, heftier defenders on puppet strings is his enduring charm. At 26, he is one of Europe\u2019s premier back-three rapiers with his footballing acumen, raw pace and devastating footwork. A broken leg robbed Capuozzo of a part in the culmination of yet another Toulouse Top 14 title, but he\u2019s come back in typically impressive form this term. Five tries in five outings for his club, some jaw-dropping touches among them, plus a fabulous score against the world champion Springboks for Italy. Capuozzo is the golden boy of Italian rugby and one of many jewels glistening in the Toulousain crown. - JL","copy2":"Though he has only played 31 Tests, Capuzzo\u2019s 16 tries puts him in the top 10 Italian scorers of all time. He needs just 10 more to catch leader Marcelo Cuttitta, who took 12 years and 55 caps to set his benchmark.","copy3":"\u201cHe is so agile and quick off the mark. He has been great for us when he has space, breaking the line and beating that first tackle. It just shows you can be any size to play rugby.\" - Stephen Varney, Italy team-mate","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/6656.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"15","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":98,"new":false,"move":-5,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/italy\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Italy.png.webp","alt":"Italy"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/toulouse\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/214.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Toulouse"}]},{"id":"200","name":"Tadhg Furlong","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/tadhg-furlong\/","country":"IRFU","team":"73","copy1":"Into his 10th season as Ireland\u2019s premier tighthead, Furlong turned 33 in November but is still one of the first names on Andy Farrell\u2019s team-sheet. Injury restricted Furlong to five starts, for province and country, last season but he returned to fitness and form with the British & Irish Lions. Started all three Tests and filled in at scrum-half and first receiver to keep attacks alive, notably for Sione Tuipulotu\u2019s try in the First Test. That Furlong smile, at the bottom of a pile of humanity and the ball grounded, was on show again as he crashed over against New Zealand at Soldier Field last month, to serve a reminder of his close-quarter carrying power. - PM","copy2":"Furlong started all three Tests for the Lions in Australia, making it nine in a row for the Wexford man after also starting all three in New Zealand (2017) and South Africa (2021). Only Welshman Graham Price, among props, has started more Tests for the Lions \u2013 12 in a row across the 1977, 1980 and 1983 tours.","copy3":"\u201cTadhg is brilliant, he is obviously a British & Irish Lion three times over, and a world-class international. He\u2019s of the highest calibre.\u201d \u2013 Ellis Genge, England and Lions prop","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/200.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"3","positionAlt":"Prop","number":99,"new":false,"move":-19,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/IRFU.png.webp","alt":"IRFU"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/leinster\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/309.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Leinster"}]},{"id":"2006","name":"Duhan van der Merwe","show":"false","link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/players\/duhan-van-der-merwe\/","country":"Scotland","team":"68","copy1":"Van der Merwe has endured a turbulent year, but his talent remains compelling. Chosen for a second straight Lions tour, but carrying an injury, he was rusty, failing to showcase his best form, despite finishing top try-scorer. Seized the outright Scotland try record \u2013 35 now in 52 caps \u2013 but suffered the ignominy of being dropped for the biggest match of the autumn against New Zealand. Questions remain about his middling form for Edinburgh versus his blockbuster feats in a Scotland shirt. Few wings possess his deadly combination of brawn and speed. Now 31, he has added IQ and softer handling skills to his raw athletic prowess and made an indelible mark on Scottish rugby. - JL","copy2":"Van der Merwe holds three of the top four totals for defenders beaten in a Six Nations campaign, including 28 this year (also 35 in 2023 and 31 in 2021).","copy3":"\u201cHe is a world-class talent who brings so much to the team. His ability to break tackles, score tries and create opportunities for others is invaluable.\u201d - Sean Everitt, Edinburgh head coach.","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/players\/head\/2006.png.webp?maxw=444","position":"14","positionAlt":"Outside Back","number":100,"new":false,"move":-35,"hasCopy1":true,"hasCopy2":true,"hasCopy3":true,"icons":[{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/scotland\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/flags\/Scotland.png.webp","alt":"Scotland"},{"link":"https:\/\/www.rugbypass.com\/teams\/edinburgh\/","image":"https:\/\/eu-cdn.rugbypass.com\/webp-images\/images\/team-images\/logos\/png\/305.png.webp?maxw=60&v=1762927734","alt":"Edinburgh"}]}]