As we approach the end of the 2025/26 season, it's time to review who the very best in the world are, across the international men's game.
Whilst it was not possible to include every player, who has enjoyed stand-out seasons across the various top club competitions and international campaigns, we have whittled down the most in-form stars to a 20-man short-list.
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From the Gallagher PREM to Super Rugby, the URC and out to Japan, we've pieced together our picks for the best in the world right now.
20. JORDIE BARRETT (NEW ZEALAND & HURRICANES)
The versatile All Blacks star has been in tremendous form for the Hurricanes throughout the current Super Rugby season, having led the Wellington side to the top of the table ahead of their home Qualifying Final.
We hand an honourable mention to the number 20 spot to Barrett's Hurricanes' teammate Fehi Fineanganofo, with the Newcastle Red Bulls linked man top the Super Rugby try-scoring charts this season. Barrett has spear-headed the offensive from the New Zealand capital city, with his tremendous blend of back-line pace and footballing prowess set to grace the Nations Championship in July.
19. FIN SMITH (ENGLAND & NORTHAMPTON SAINTS)
Whilst it was certainly an underwhelming 2026 Six Nations campaign for England as a collective, fly half Fin Smith stood tall with a series of impressive performances for Steve Borthwick's side. Now with the Nation's Championship coming in over the horizon, the 24-year-old will be eyeing up a strong end to the club season with Northampton Saints before leading England down to South Africa.
Smith has steered the cascading ship of green, black and gold this season, as the Saints have marched on to comfortable take the PREM Rugby top spot. With a home semi-final guaranteed at Franklin's Gardens, the Saints can enjoy the final round of the regular season, with Smith in the drivers seat for silverware.
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18. HARRY WILSON (AUSTRALIA & QUEENSLAND REDS)
Next up is Australia captain Harry Wilson, who has transformed from a player fighting for Wallabies recognition into one of the most influential number eights in world rugby. The Queensland Reds talisman has become the heartbeat of Les Kiss’ side, combining relentless carrying, clever offloading and vastly improved leadership to drive the Reds into contention once again.
Wilson’s development over the past two seasons has been remarkable. Once viewed primarily as a powerful ball-carrier, he now dictates matches with his decision-making and work-rate around the park. His performances have made him one of the first names on the Wallabies team sheet heading into the Nations Championship, with many observers viewing him as the best No.8 in the southern hemisphere outside of Ardie Savea.
17. EMBROSE PAPIER (SOUTH AFRICA & BULLS)
Few players have enjoyed a better season than Embrose Papier. The Bulls scrum-half has been the driving force behind Pretoria’s charge to the latter stages of the URC, earning South African URC Player of the Season honours after a campaign packed with tries, assists and match-winning displays.
Papier’s speed around the fringes remains electric, but it is his game management that has elevated him into genuine world-class territory. The former Springbok has repeatedly dominated big matches, including a two-try Player of the Match performance against Munster in the quarter-finals. At 29, he is enjoying the finest rugby of his career and looks destined for an international recall this July.
16. TOMMY FREEMAN (ENGLAND & NORTHAMPTON SAINTS)
Tommy Freeman has developed into one of the most complete outside backs in the game. The Northampton Saints star has coupled his devastating aerial ability with an increasingly polished all-round skillset, making him a constant threat whether operating on the wing or at outside centre, with the strike rate to back this up in the Gallagher PREM.
Despite England's frustrating Six Nations campaign, Freeman consistently delivered moments of quality and remains a key figure in Steve Borthwick’s plans. His ability to beat defenders, dominate kick-chases and finish opportunities has been central to Northampton’s outstanding season, with silverware now firmly in their sights as the Saints close in on the play-offs.
15. MALCOLM MARX (SOUTH AFRICA & KUBOTA SPEARS)
There may be no better hooker on the planet than Malcolm Marx when fully fit. The Springbok powerhouse continues to set the benchmark at the breakdown, regularly producing turnovers that completely alter the momentum of matches. Marx has been rightfully awarded the latest World Rugby Player of the Year Award, and the first hooker since Keith Wood to earn the accolade.
His move to Japan has done little to diminish his influence on the international stage, as the Kubota Spears close in on the title with a place in the JRLO final confirmed for Saturday. Whenever South Africa require a game-changing intervention, Marx invariably delivers. Whether it's his destructive carrying, elite scrummaging or world-renowned jackal ability, he remains one of the most feared forwards in rugby and a central pillar of Rassie Erasmus’ squad.
14. THOMAS RAMOS (FRANCE & TOULOUSE)
Thomas Ramos has elevated his game to another level over the past 18 months and now looks indispensable for both Toulouse and France. Equally capable at fly-half or full-back, Ramos combines a brilliant tactical kicking game with an eye for attack that few players can match.
His boot clinched Les Bleus the 2026 Six Nations title in the incredible finale against England, as Ramos' accuracy from the tee remains among the best in world rugby. However, it is his confidence and game control that have become defining features of his performances. With Toulouse again competing for the Top 14 title and France preparing for the Nations Championship, Ramos continues to flourish.
13. FINN RUSSELL (SCOTLAND & BATH)
Finn Russell remains rugby’s ultimate conductor. The Scotland and Bath fly-half has spent another season producing moments that very few players would even attempt, let alone execute successfully. Russell has maintained a magnificent base-line of brilliance since his time as the linchpin of the British & Irish Lions, with a classy game-management skill-set added to his unpredictable excellence.
Yet what separates Russell from the maverick of old is his consistency. He now marries creativity with control, dictating games through intelligent kicking and tactical awareness. Bath’s rise inot genuine title contenders has been built around his influence, while Scotland remain capable of troubling any opponent when their mercurial playmaker is pulling the strings.
12. TADHG BEIRNE (IRELAND & MUNSTER)
There are few more complete forwards in world rugby than Tadhg Beirne. The versatile Munster forward continues to produce elite performances regardless of whether he is operating in the second row or back row, with his ability to disrupt breakdowns remaining virtually unmatched.
Even during periods where Munster have struggled for consistency, Beirne has remained their most influential player, with his presence missed throughout the latest quarter-final defeat. A leader by example, his work-rate, physicality and knack for producing crucial turnovers ensure he remains one of the first names on Ireland’s teamsheet heading into another important international campaign.
11. SIONE TUIPULOTU (SCOTLAND & GLASGOW WARRIORS)
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has gone from being one of rugby’s most underrated centres to one of its finest. The Glasgow Warriors midfielder has become the focal point of both club and country, blending immense carrying power with subtle distribution and stirring leadership as Gregor Townsend's skipper.
His partnership with Huw Jones remains among the most dangerous midfield combinations in the game, while Glasgow’s continued success owes much to his ability to consistently win collisions and create space around him. Few players have enhanced their reputation more over the past two seasons, with the Warriors topping the URC table in pursuit of the league title.
10. ANTOINE DUPONT (FRANCE & TOULOUSE)
Injuries may have disrupted portions of Antoine Dupont’s campaign, but his standing as one of rugby’s greatest players remains untouched. The Toulouse scrum-half continues to influence matches in ways few others can, with his acceleration, vision and decision-making still setting the gold standard as France retained their Six Nations title.
Even when absent, his value becomes obvious. France and Toulouse simply operate differently when Dupont is on the field, yet a certain Bordeaux scrum half is steadily changing this narrative (more on him shortly). There may be flashier young talents emerging across the sport, but no player continues to command opposition attention quite like the French captain.
9. ARDIE SAVEA (NEW ZEALAND & KOBE STEELERS)
Ardie Savea somehow continues to get better. The former World Rugby Player of the Year remains the complete modern forward, capable of dominating collisions, winning turnovers and producing moments of skill more commonly associated with New Zealand's flying outside backs.
Now back in Japan with the Kobe Steelers following his run as Moana Pasifika captain, Savea continues to perform at an extraordinary level for club and when called upon to vice-captain the All Blacks. Every match seems to feature another reminder of his unique talent, and few players in world rugby are currently carrying more responsibility on their shoulders.
8. PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT (SOUTH AFRICA & TOYOTA VERBLITZ)
Pieter-Steph du Toit remains the standard-bearer for elite forwards. The Springbok veteran continues to cover enormous ground around the field while delivering the physicality and defensive excellence that have defined his career.
A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, and Rugby World Cup winner, Du Toit’s influence often transcends statistics. He sets defensive standards, wins collisions and drags teammates into the fight. South Africa's forward dominance remains built around collective effort, but few individuals embody that ethos better than their tireless blindside flanker.
7. MATTHIEU JALIBERT (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)
Few fly-halves play with the attacking freedom and confidence of Matthieu Jalibert. The Bordeaux-Bègles playmaker has become one of the most entertaining players in the sport, consistently unlocking defences through his footwork, vision and creativity, pivotal to their Champions Cup title retention.
With Bordeaux establishing themselves among Europe’s elite, Jalibert has flourished as the side’s chief orchestrator. His ability to create opportunities from seemingly impossible situations makes him a nightmare for defenders and a genuine contender to be France’s long-term answer at fly-half, much to the churgrin of one Romain Ntamack.
6. NTUTHUKO MCHUNU (SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS)
The rise of Ntuthuko Mchunu has been one of South African rugby’s best stories this season. After leaving the Sharks, the loose-head prop has flourished in a new environment and established himself as one of the premier front-row forwards in the URC.
His scrummaging has always been highly regarded, but Mchunu’s impact around the field has reached a new level. Dynamic in open play and increasingly influential at set-piece time, he was rewarded with selection in the URC Elite XV and now looks poised to become a major figure for the Springboks moving forward.
5. STUART MCCLOSKEY (IRELAND & ULSTER)
For years Stuart McCloskey was one of rugby’s most underrated players. Now, the Ulster centre is finally receiving the recognition his performances deserve, with game-breaking efforts throughout the 2026 Six Nations. His ability to consistently dent gain-lines, create opportunities for teammates and dominate defensively has made him the standout midfielder in the URC this season.
While others may attract more headlines, McCloskey’s consistency has been exceptional. He remains the focal point of Ulster’s attack and continues to make a compelling case for a more prominent role within Ireland’s international setup. Whilst it was a shame for Ulster to squander the Challenge Cup and miss out on the top eight, McCloskey looks ready to go again in Irish green this Summer.
4. TOMMASO MENONCELLO (ITALY & BENETTON)
Tommaso Menoncello is rapidly becoming the face of Italian rugby. The Benetton centre has combined immense physicality with superb technical skill to establish himself among the best young backs in the world, at the heart of the greatest iteration of the Azzurri.
Still only in his early twenties, Menoncello already looks like a seasoned international. His performances throughout the history making Six Nations, including the first-ever win over England, and Benetton's gutsy underdog fight in the URC have demonstrated a player capable of competing with the very best midfielders on the planet. His ceiling remains frighteningly high, with a big move expected this Summer.
3. LOUIS BIELLE-BIARREY (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is doing things that simply should not be possible at his age. The Bordeaux and France wing continues to terrorise defences with blistering pace, exceptional footwork and a finishing instinct that rivals the greatest wings in the game. Bielle-Biarrey continues to break try-scoring records, as he eclipsed his own accolade to bag nine scores in the 2026 Six Nations - the most ever by one player.
Already among the most prolific try-scorers in international rugby, Bielle-Biarrey has become one of the first names on the French teamsheet. Every time he touches the ball, something feels likely to happen — a trait shared only by the sport’s true superstars. The red scrum-capped sensation is now a back-to-back Six Nations and Champions Cup winner, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup eyed up for a first ever French title.
2. SACHA FEINBERG-MNGOMEZULU (SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS)
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has emerged as one of rugby’s most exciting talents and is rapidly becoming the heir apparent to South Africa’s number ten jersey. Despite suffering an injury during the Stormers’ URC quarter-final victory over Cardiff, his performances throughout the campaign have been nothing short of sensational, with the Springboks wishing for a speedy recovery to their new talisman.
The fly-half has combined outrageous attacking instincts with remarkable composure, while his record-breaking exploits for the Springboks have accelerated his rise into the sport’s elite. Already a World Rugby Dream Team selection, Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks destined to dominate the international game for years to come, as he already holds the record for the most points scored by a single Springbok in one test - we won't forget his 37-point masterclass against Argentina in a hurry.
1. MAXIME LUCU (FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BEGLES)
At the top of the list is a player who rarely receives the same level of acclaim as some of rugby’s household names, yet few have been more influential over the past year than Maxime Lucu. The Bordeaux-Bègles scrum-half has quietly developed into one of the most complete number nines in world rugby, and reached his own personal Everest to guide Bordeaux to back-to-back Champions Cup titles.
His game management, kicking accuracy and tactical intelligence have been central to Bordeaux’s rise, with Antoine Dupont's nine jersey well up for grabs for the Nations Championship. While others produce the highlights, Lucu controls the rhythm. In a season where Bordeaux have challenged for the biggest prizes in the game, no player has been more consistently outstanding than Maxime Lucu.
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